I’ve started preparing for Christmas three months ago, yes, as early as September I have already made my gift shopping list because I know how tight schedules will be come December. It’s not only me. As a mom, I have to consider everybody’s schedule, the kids, the husband, and some events for my blogging stints. Despite my efforts to scratch off everything in my shopping list, I still needed to do some last-minute Christmas gift shopping. Fortunately, I know the perfect place to do it.
We went shopping in National Book Store before the end of November and I’ve managed to buy a lot of meaningful gifts for my kids and my kids’ teachers and friends. It was a fun experience as my daughters and I saw how organized the store was, with each areas labeled so that shoppers can easily know what to find in them. I knew that when time comes when I needed to come back for some items, I can easily find my way back and save time.
You can watch our shopping experience below 🙂
Ideas, ideas, ideas
– The most important thing before going shopping, last minute or not, is that you already have an idea on what you are going to buy. When I am thinking of gifts, I categorize first according to age, budget and then think I of the basics :
for kids – educational toys, books and gift bundles like art sets, board games, play kits
for teens and young professionals – books, personalized items such as journals, totes, pouches, pens, bag accessories
for older female friends or loved ones – cook books, novels, scrap booking sets, planners, book lamps, personalized key chains and shopping bags
for older male friends or loved ones – DIY books or magazines, novelty items for men, cellphone and laptop covers
*if you will have time before you leave your house or maybe while in transit to the store, check out National Book Store’s 100 Great Gifts To Get video for more clever gift ideas.
Check out the Books of the Year section.
Mommy’s favorite section – books/cookbooks
Daddy’s section – men’s magazines, collector’s magazines, self helps and DIYs
Bestseller section
Gift Zones
– All the basics I mentioned can easily be found in National Book Store. As soon as you enter the store, look straight to their gift zones which are labeled according to price of the items. For the books, head straight to the book shelves which are separated from other items for easy browsing. You can also find the area where the Best Books of 2018 are displayed.
Customer Service
– Don’t hesitate to ask if you think you are spending too much time already in finding a specific item. You’ll see a big Customer Service label in the area where you are welcome to ask. From my experience in any National Book Store, staff will readily assist you when you need something.
Promos
– Take advantage of the promos you’ll see as you shop. Especially during Christmas, brands are generous in giving discounts or freebies for gift sets or bulk purchases. You can also get a free Gift Sack for every purchase worth P1,000. Use these gift sacks to wrap some of your gifts to save on wrappers.
Don’t forget to bring your National Book Store Rewards Card to get points from your purchases
Gift Wrapping Zone
– It will certainly save you time if you will have your gifts wrapped already before you head out of the store. The gift wrapping service in NBS is not free, but the service fee is just minimal, and the wrapping style is more intricate than what you may be able to do in a short time. I personally love receiving gifts specially wrapped and with ribbons. Though it’s what’s inside the box that will always matter, iba pa rin ang naka-wrap and with ribbons diba?
Gift Card
– Another fool-proof way to make sure that your loved one will love your gift is by letting them choose their own. NBS is an established company and their gift cards don’t have expiration dates. They can use the gift card at any time of the year. I don’t think that it loses the sense of giving because you did not choose something special. It’s just that you let them decide the things that are special and meaningful for them. Make sure to give your gift cards with special notes to make sure that they get your message.
Shop Online
– Yes, you can shop online at www.nationalbookstore.com or call the delivery hotline 888-NBS (627) if you think you will just be stuck in traffic and no NBS is near your place. Take advantage of the FREE Shipping, Free Gift Tags and Free Engraving offers in the website ( in this store, anything free will be good!) You’ll be amazed on how efficient shopping online in NBS can be. You can pay via Paypal or Credit Card or Cash On Delivery.
There you are! I hope you’ve learned something from this post! Goodluck to your last minute shopping and learn from it. Next year I’m sure it will be much easier for you and who knows, you won’t have to do that last-minute shopping anymore.
Because it’s Christmas, I want to thank you as a reader of my blog through this quick raffle. Just follow the simple mechanics I’ll be posting in Facebook and I’ll draw 1 lucky winner of P1,000 National Book Store shopping gift certificate this Christmas. Merry Christmas!
