Gift Ideas to Inaanaks the New Normal Way

One “stress” that got into me recently aside from COVID-19 is the Holiday Season!  By this time of the year, we usually have gatherings and these are the times I get to see all my inaanaks.  

 

I’ve got a number of them, and I am at a lost on how to send them gifts the New Normal Way!  Thank God for PayMaya because life is easier and I’m actually almost done with my list!  

 

Today, I am here to share Gift Ideas to Inaanaks the #NewNormalWay!  If this lessened my stress, I hope it does to you as well!

 

A Christmas gathering we do yearly which we can’t do this year! 

  

Gifts from online shops

Since I do this on a yearly basis, I already know what my Godchild wants!  If not, I would ask their parents what tickle their fancy!  All  I need to do is shop these gifts online and have them delivered straight to my Godchild’s home address!  

There are so many options for gifts online – from books at Fullybooked’s website, cute outfits from Zalora, or even sweet treats from Candy Corner. What’s great is that you can pay for all this using your PayMaya virtual or physical card, or in Candy Corner’s case, using your PayMaya mobile number. 

I love the convenience PayMaya brings to my transactions, which I can finish from the comforts of my home!

 

Aguinaldo via PayMaya.

From a kid to a teenager.  I honestly do not know what my teenager inaanak wants nowadays!  In Chinese culture, we love to send “Angpaos” or red envelopes with money inside.  

 

For the New Normal way, I would easily send aguinaldo via the “Send Money” or “Bank Transfer” feature of PayMaya app!  This way, I can be assured my inaanak will be able to spend this virtual money to something he/she really wants!

 

Sending money is so easy and hassle-free, 
you only need to know your inaanak’s PayMaya mobile number. 
 Tip: If your inaanak is still very young to have her own app, send Virtual aguinaldo through their parents!  You can also send money from PayMaya to banks, so it’s super easy!

  

Lactezin: An Anti-Acne Solution

 

I had acne at the age of 16 until 18.  Yes, those vital teenage years where I start to have crushes and go on dates!  I know!  Too early right?  Well, I met my ultimate crush (now husband Mr. AMW) back in elementary but developed a crush on him during my Senior year.  We started out as seatmates turned super close friend to my ultimate crush.

That was also the time I started to experience acne and I was getting more and more self-conscious.  I remembered my mom, being the supportive mom as she always was, would accompany me to a dermatologist as my acne was starting to flare up on cheeks, forhead and chin!  She felt as sad as I was.  

Then I strongly remembered the dermatologist advising me to take Vitamin E together with some topical creams.  On top of my head: “What does Vitamin E has to do with it?  Aren’t Vitamin E supplements supposed to be taken by older women?”

That was how clueless I was but completely understandable considering we don’t have much access to details on Vitamins on both books and internet. 

Fast-forward to today, I am lucky I don’t have to type about Acne as much on this blog as my skin is not acne-prone like before.  But, my husband, on the other hand is a late-bloomer, at this day and age, he still suffers from constant breakouts so I am actually open to accept anti-acne supplements to let him try and ease his worries (supportive wife here, just like my supportive mom!) .  

I recently accepted to try a brand called Lactezin.

Lactezin is a clinically-tested over-the-counter drug, which uses a natural antibacterial active ingredient Lactoferrin combined with Vitamin E and Zinc to help lessen pimples and give clear skin in as early as 2 weeks when taken 2x daily.

Key ingredient - 

Vitamin E.  Vitamin E is a nutrient that was suggested to me by a Dermatologist years ago as this can help maintain healthy skin cells by fightling free radical damage.  It can help retain moisture in the skin thus preventing dryness - I agree that dryness is one major enemy when it comes to acne.  People who have acne-prone skin usually steer clear from using moisturizers or skincare products thus skin turns drier than usual. And because of treatment, the skin tends to peel and be very sensitive to sunlight!  And the good news is, Vitamin E can protect skin against UV radiation.

Lactezin also contains Zinc, Zinc can help maintain a healthy immune system andpromotes wound healing and repair of damaged tissues.  Zinc’s antioxidant and oil-regulating properties helps improve skin appearance.

Lastly, each Lactezin tablet contains Lactoferrin (around 100mg), this ingredient is quite new to me so I’ve done several research before letting my husband take this capsule.   

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help the body’s natural defenses to fight bacteria. I like that this can help reduce sebum and can help repair damaged skin cells! 

Aside from that, based from some studies, there are more health benefits in taking Lactoferrin aside from how it can help minimize acne and how it can also help skin cell renewal.  Based from 2014 report in the World Journey of Gastroenterology, researchers have found Lactoferrin to aid in the prevention of ulcer, this is good news as both my husband and I have sensitive stomach that is why we have some caution when taking supplements!  

My Work From Home Setup

 

When lockdown started last March, I was at a lost!  I was left without a househelp (she got pregnant and gave birth) and my son suddenly had to prepare for online schooling so I was busy preparing his “study area”.  

That said, my work laptop was set up for my son’s Zoom class.  I have a desktop in my home office but I find it really hard to juggle mom task, house work, and work at the same time.  It was indeed difficult to be always on-the-go so my work slowed down so much from March-September.

Then I realized, I have to get used to this situation, COVID-19 stays so whether I like it or not, I have to stand up and do something, get my life back to the organized self!

While assisting my son during online school the whole morning, I sat beside him working on my iPhone 11 Pro Max.  It was big enough for me (in my own world LOL), and I’ve been creating blog posts, answering email and even edit videos using my trustee handphone.

Comes August, my husband has been telling me he wanted to purchase me an iPad Pro 2020 12.9 inches so my eyes won’t suffer.  I brushed off the idea because I don’t want to spend extra during pandemic.  I also felt the phone is enough since I seldom stay put! 

It was a bit hard and challenging to purchase expensive gadgets online, thankfully, because of Tiktok!  (YES TIKTOK) I found a legit online shop and little did I know, the husband ordered from them na!  So after using this for almost a month, I can say this was the “Thing that I thought I do not need but SUPER need!”

This is my official work set up, but technically, I hold both Bluetooth/wireless keyboard and my iPad Pro 12.9  wherever I go and I can work in the study area of my son, play area when he plays, dining area - as I wait for the dishes to be cooked, etc...

I definitely work smarter and faster!  The Logitech Wireless and bluetooth keyboard is a perfect match as well!

Best Deals for Your Christmas Shopping with PayMaya

 

My Christmas is not cancelled.  

 

Even with the current situation, I still want to let my loved ones feel that I still think about them and appreciate them.  As much as I missed the Christmas Shopping Rush which I do on a yearly basis, the last-minute shopping, gift-wrapping and delivering of gifts!  I actually found a way to make things less stressful and even better amidst trying time.  

 

That’s how we are Filipinos, we see the good in everything and I am glad PayMaya is making it easier for us consumers to look at everything the brighter way!

 

Keep on reading as I share some of the Holiday Shopping Tips in the New Normal! 

 

1. Make Your List and Check it Twice:

In every Christmas Shopping, making a list will always be my Step 1.  It gives me more direction on how to sort out my budget and plan my shopping trips well (whether online or offline).  

2. Shop Online: 

 

This will be my number one choice and I am actually starting out as earlier this year.  Online shopping will always be my top priority for the safety of my family!

 

Bring out the list you’ve done on step 1 and categorize your “Holiday Gifts” to each member under “toys”, “clothing”, “electronics”, “food”, “beauty and skincare”, etc....  Categorizing what you plan to give to each recipient will make it easier for you to save up on shipping.  Let’s say you have 5 recipients under “Clothing”, then purchase clothes as gift in 1 online clothing store to save up on shipping fee, time and the environment (less plastic = happy Earth!)

 

And while at it, pay via PayMaya because users can get up to 100% Balik Bayad of up to Php500.00 when you use your PayMaya mobile number to pay for your purchases online.  You can also enjoy this perk with a maximum Balik Bayad of Php1,000 a month until January 31.  (Minimum purchase is Php500.00)

3. In-store shopping:

 

Holiday Gift Ideas from BeautyMnl that Make Sense

 

It is the time of the year and unfortunately, going to malls to buy gifts is not an option in my family!  I usually visit my Senior Parents on weekends and I bring food to my in-laws on a daily basis so I try my best to stay at home as much as possible.

That said, Holiday Gift-giving must not be cancelled just because I cannot go to malls!  I am really grateful with several E-commerce sites for “upping” their game in terms of wide variety of product offerings, easy payment options, and on-time deliveries!

One site I am surprised with their wide range of products is BeautyMnl!  

You get different categories to choose from - Healthy, Skincare, Makeup, Bath & Body Care, Nutrition, Mom & Baby, Home & Lifestyle and Home.  

I am glad I don’t go to their site only for beauty needs, instead, I also go their to shop for food and drinks! Don’t believe me?

Please watch my short video below and see my recommendations for Holiday Gift Ideas!  

P.S. You can have your orders delivered the very next day!  They are packed really well too!  

You’re welcome :)

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!