SECRETS FOR STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY SHOPPING FROM DAWN ZULUETA

Ask Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo about Christmas and her eyes instantly brighten up: “I love Christmas…always have and always will.” This actress, model and mom recalls fond childhood memories like excitedly waiting for Santa. She celebrates these memories during the Yuletide Season and every day of the year by counting and sharing her blessings.

Dawn prefers to start the Christmas ‘fever’ early, if only to avoid long lines at stores, cramming and sleep deprivation that almost always come with the Holiday rush. Thus, despite her frenzied schedule, Dawn allots time and effort into Christmas shopping, “It’s a yearly tradition that I enjoy keeping,” she says. She is ready with her list as early as September and starts shopping in October. Presents are scheduled for delivery by the first week of December “so I can relax and really enjoy the Holidays and family gatherings.” Small wonder why as early as now, Dawn was spotted shopping at Robinsons Department Store (RDS).

300 On Her List
Dawn discloses that her list of presents run up to more than 300! Making a list helps Dawn get the exact purchases in less time. “It also helps me not to go over budget, and quite often, I have managed to keep it low.” She says she saves a lot by planning ahead and managing her time to accomplish the task with relative ease.

So why Robinsons Department Store? “I value Robinsons Department Store because they have sales personnel who are attentive and knowledgeable about their merchandise. I can save so much time and money when I shop at their stores. Plus, they carry all kinds of brands, imported and local, that have a variety of prices to choose from,” Dawn explains. “I can find everything I need in one go.”

Planning The Gifts
Dawn admits to having scoured every area at Robinsons Department Store—from toys and children’s, ladies’, men’s, home and bed and bath, clothes, shoes and cosmetics departments. For Christmas, she usually gets her husband, Anton, his favorite brand of shirt or necktie, wristwatch or jewelry and for Jacobo, his dream toy. Apparel or accessories for their favorite hobbies or sports are given to relatives. Godchildren and kids receive toys, accessories or books. For her closest friends, she loves to give jewelry, fashion accessories, handbags or travel totes. Home accessories and food baskets, meanwhile, are tops on her list for couples. Apparel, gift certificates or cash are her gift choices for the homemakers.

It always pleases her to hear friends appreciate the gifts she gives them or comment positively on what she’s wearing or using. “They’re amazed at what I find in Robinsons Department Store and even more impressed when they learn how reasonable the prices are.” And aside from great buys, there is one more thing Dawn got from RDS: “Big savings, that’s for sure!”

HASTE MAKES WASTE
Her advice for a worry-free Christmas shopping is really simple: “Make a list early and stick to your budget,” Dawn says. “Haste makes waste. When shopping is done earlier, it will be all the better for you and your loved ones so you can relax and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas together without feeling like the Holidays just blew past and left you ragged, and worse, poorer.”

MORE MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS
Now that she has a family of her own, Christmas has become more meaningful. “I look forward to hearing mass with the family, sharing Noche Buena, seeing the wonder and excitement in Jacobo’s eyes when he receives a gift he has been waiting for…priceless!” she says. She also looks forward to spending the Season with husband Anton “because this is also the time when we celebrate another year of our marriage.”

(For great gifting ideas, check out Robinsons Department Store with branches located in Robinsons Malls, Waltermart Malls, Nepo Malls, Starmall and Festival Mall in Alabang, Limketkai Mall in CDO and Robinsons Cabanatuan which has opened last November 21.)