When to start Christmas shopping?
We know that the holiday mood is already building, the change in the weather is in the air, weekend traffic seems to be heavier, and store windows are already displaying their iconic green and red. We are only a month away from celebrating many people’s favorite holiday, but we have to accept that our urban personality tends to lead us to shop at the last minute. So when is the best time to start your holiday shopping? Honestly, we think there is no perfect date to go shopping, mainly because not everyone has the same disposition and available time. If you usually take care of your money, surely the Black Friday and Cyber Monday season (late November) is perfect for you. Of course, there are disadvantages due to the high demand and overcrowding of people in stores. Therefore, it all depends on your personality. If you have the patience to wait in line, go ahead and anticipate as early as November; but if you prefer to take your time, you might be better off doing otherwise. You may not know it, but there are certain days to find more affordable prices; in fact, the brands and stores themselves usually launch their promotions, and they typically take place in December. The best advice we can give you is to contact the store directly or check the official website; you will have much more time to select the gifts. Customer service often provides this sort of information. Another issue to consider is the originality of your gifts; for example, there are bazaars specialized in the Christmas season that contain unique items at a reasonable cost. Also, since most things are for children, you can find thousands of original ideas for buying something special for them, such as a vintage dollhouse or a bicycle. The sooner you make your purchase, the better, especially when it comes to finding the perfect gift. Otherwise, you risk buying something that the person may not like or finding high prices if you shop at the last minute. Lastly, we think making a list is an excellent strategy to speed up your shopping and find something nice. Nowadays there are thousands of options to do your shopping: big stores, markets, bazaars, independent stores or, if you prefer, you can always do your shopping online. If you are in Mexico City, we highly suggest you visit the historic center. It is an area where you will find stores and all kinds of gift options; you can also visit some tourist attractions such as the Zocalo, Bellas Artes, the Citadel, or the Templo Mayor.
Father’s Day: because they also deserve a break
It’s crazy to think about what gift to buy for our fathers because, since we are young, we see them as beings who «have it all.» However, the reality could not be further from the truth. We must keep in mind that our beloved dads, as wise as they may be, are also human beings who need to be reminded of how much we love them. This week we wanted to think of something perfect for our parents to have the best celebration. We planned a whole day and came up with our favorite ideas, so you can get inspired and treat them with what they need the most: time and affection. Let us start with appearance. We know that more and more men are concerned about their physique. However, dads may forget that they should also treat themselves to a little pampering from time to time because of work or family. We suggest starting the day with a visit to La Logia, one of the most popular and manly barbershops in La Condesa. This place is perfect for any man who wants a new look or just a moment of relaxation. Plus, they sell gift packages that your dad will definitely love. After the grooming, it’s time to eat something delicious. We know that dads love to eat, that’s why we recommend Cambalache, one of the best Argentinean grills we have ever known. Our favorite branch is in Polanco and has the best cuts of meat and empanadas. We suggest you try their suckling pig along with an excellent glass of red wine. In the evening, you can enjoy a drink on a terrace and watch the sunset. We suggest you read our previous articles to find suggestions on different terraces located in Polanco and Condesa where you can celebrate dads on their day. Remember that all these gifts would be nothing without the love you can express to your dad. Hence, besides a day full of emotions, the most important thing is for you to be there and show him how much you care about his well-being.
Creative gifts for your partner this February 14
The moment we lovers have been waiting for has arrived. For better or worse, Valentine’s Day is a date that we Mexicans have adopted because we are one of the warmest cultures when it comes to showing our affection. That is why we would like to recommend you some unusual gifts that can be perfect for your partner, friends, or even family; we also have a couple of ideas to prove that you do not need to spend too much on that special gift. A map of the stars from «the day we met.» This project from The Night Sky allows you to recreate how the stars were positioned on any day unique to you. If the gift is for your significant other, you can enter the date and place you met, and their portal will accurately recreate the position of the stars with a beautiful dark background. You can even order the printing and framing, presenting this beautiful gift as if it were a work of art. A memorable playlist. Thanks to technology and music platforms like Spotify, Sound Cloud, or Apple Music, it is now possible to make playlists for any occasion. With a little creativity, you can choose the songs that remind you of that special person and create this digital gift completely free. It is also a perfect gift for couples (or friends) who are not physically together due to the pandemic. Create your own perfume. We found a page in Mexico that allows you to create your own perfume at a very reasonable cost. Perfumérica is a platform that lets you customize your own perfume, whether you are a man or a woman, for $490 with free shipping in 3 to 5 business days. This project is exceptionally creative, perfect for couples, and its vintage presentation adds the perfect touch. Dinner at home: a classic that never dies. There are details that, although seemingly quite simple, we hardly ever actually carry them out. Do you remember the last time you had dinner with your partner by candlelight? If you live together, this gift is quite ideal and economical. Just create an atmosphere that gets you in the mood to bake something delicious. You can even play some jazz in the background and let yourselves be carried away by the conversation while toasting with a bottle of wine. Offer a vintage book as a gift Second-hand books have become quite popular in recent years, as they are incredibly cheap and have that unique old book smell. Many findings have surprised us, such as special editions, art books, or even novels no longer published. We suggest you give a vintage book a second chance and write a personalized dedication inside.