More gift ideas for Christmas, oozing with Pinoy creativity. Need more? Check out yesterday’s top 5.

1. Si Lupito at ang Baryo Sirkero (originally P895)
Written by Rowald Almazar with full-color illustrations by Jose Santos III, Si Lupito at ang Baryo Sirkero won in Canvas’ 2007 Romeo Forbes Children’s Storywriting Competition. It’s a great gift for adults and children alike, and if you can’t afford the authentic Santos pieces, at least you have the scaled-down versions.

Originally priced at P895, this hardbound limited first-edition version comes with a jacket. Get it for P650 if you mention that you heard about this from Pinoycentric. (Thanks, Gigo!) Shipping charges apply if you wish it to be couriered. Preview the story and artwork here.

How to order: E-mail info@canvas.ph.

Christmas is less than a month away! Have you started shopping for your Christmas gifts? Here are some unique and practical gift ideas.

1. 2009 desk calendar (P270) by Marge Defensor Manalaysay
We love Marge’s designs because they’re practical, made from recycled materials, and handcrafted by young Pinoy artisans.

At the Yabang Pinoy bazaar, she told us how her business helps young people earn money by teaching them how to make paper envelopes, canvas pencil cases, and journals. We’re excited to tell you that Marge’s designs can now be bought at the eco-friendly EchoStore, which shares space with Kape Isla on Serendra.

Where to buy: MDM Design Website

If you’re making the rounds of the Christmas bazaars for holiday gifts, make Echostore part of your itinerary. On December 8-10, nonprofit corporate-led foundation Philippine Business for Social Progress goes to Echostore to bring you unique, locally …

If you’re spending Sundays at the metro and looking for an extraordinary culinary experience before going to church, there’s the Market One behind the Lung Center of the Philippines, along Quezon Avenue. (It’s probably the only weekend market in Metro Manila in which you get to sit beside Batanes representative Butch Abad at a makeshift coffee stall enjoying Cordillera coffee. The congressman is a regular at Market One, which he describes as a “cultural feast.”)

A pack of Marlboro reds. Pizza from a convenience store. Necklaces from a loved one. A pair of Chucks. Glow-in-the-dark bracelets. They may mean nothing to you or me, but to writers and artists Evan Tan and …

Is it obvious that we can’t resist anything paper and handmade? After yesterday’s canvas-lined pencil cases, yet another irresistible discovery at the Rockwell Urban Bazaar was this pack of blank handmade note cards with floral impressions by Catrina Paulino.