This year the gift guide is a little smaller, more intimate. But none the less great gifts to give to loved ones.
FOR THE FOODIE
You can pre-order Melody’s Filipino inspired pies for pick up in San Francisco or Oakland. I recommend getting one of every each.
Sweet Condesa Pastries Puto Bumbong PieI love a drink you can make both cocktails and desserts with. Get the sampler so you can try all the flavors. I have a soft spot for the Lychee. So damn fresh.
Hands down Carmela’s treats are the best traditional and Filipino inspired deserts I have tried. She makes everything from scratch and has such a huge variety of treats to choose from. You do have to make the trip Hercules, CA, but it’s oh so worth the trip.
My favorite online shop to get order hard to find Filipino goods. They have all the ube, pandan and the elusive Delimondo Corned Beef. This year they are offering 4 different Holiday boxes to send as gifts.
Or you can just send a loved one a few snacks that they have been missing.
It’s a match made in heaven. Chocolate and rum in 3 different bars. Go send out a few before it’s sold out.
FOR THE HOMEBODY
Raf sources hard to find Filipino books and ships them out from New York. I ordered the very rare Tikim from him. His curated set of books is a mixture of history, culture and food.
France creates the most memory inducing candles while looking aesthetically pleasing. It’s a win on both sides for me. Aside from the candles she also sources wood and marble accessories from the Philippines. For something unique she also hand dyes silk that you can wear as scarves.
Candice makes ceramics that I can only dream of making. Very clean, neat and functional. She has 2 pop ups coming up in Brooklyn. Go pop in and buy a few pieces.
If I lived in San Francisco proper, I would be getting arrangements from them every damn day. Order a nice one for someone you like. Let me tell you that getting flowers are everything.
I’m so excited to share this book by Liren. A blogger OG, Bay Area local and Pinay. It’s filled with so many healthy alternatives and could not come at a better time. January anyone? There is also a recipe in there for meat free adobo meat balls. Can’t wait to make those!
I hope this list inspires you to buy something meaningful, local and from people who love to make them for you.
Download The 2021 FILAM Gift Guide here.