After a frustratingly hot and humid couple of weeks, suddenly, it all morphs into Twilight mode (dark, gloomy, rainy, foggy: isn’t this like, the optimal thriving weather for sparkly vampires and lovelorn werewolves?). But hey, I’m loving the cooler days — it’s just that it’s filled my Twitter timeline with multiple variations of clinically-depressed Bella Swans. HASHTAG: CUDDLE WEATHER. GIRL DO NOT DENY.

Yeaaaah… December tends to do this to the best of us. In that sense, it’s like Valentine’s Day for single people. Except it’s worse because it’s a whole freaking month and you spend more money on other people. Ho ho ho.

Who am I kidding? I’m no Scrooge, I swear! I actually looooove brainstorming for gifts for people (more than actually paying for them).

This year, I really want to give gifts that embody the things that I stand for. So, I’ve committed to a gift list that is 100% Filipino-made or Filipino-designed.

(Well, maybe about 90%, since I’m planning to give specially-requested stuff like Game of Thrones books and salon GCs.) And most of my gifts will come with these attached:

Greeting cards and gift tags from little Mio

If you remember from early this year, I already wrote a bit about Mio Mendiola, a 7-year-old aspiring artist — and one very brave (and super smart!) acute lymphocytic leukemia patient. Since he loves drawing, he came out with The Mio Alphabet, wherein he collaborates with graphic designer Alessandra Lanot.

The Mio Alphabet consists of monogram greeting cards, stickers and paper products, all of which feature Mio’s drawings. 100% of the proceeds of these items will help continue funding Mio’s treatmentsand will turn over more help to other cancer organizations such as Kythe-Ateneo’s annual I Am Hope Campaign, and kids with rare diseases like Lucas Gallardo.

IDEA: Stand out from the usual bookstore-bought gift tags and make your gifts more meaningful by using these Mio-drawn gift tags with your initials instead!

PRODUCTS & PRICES

Greeting Cards: P350 per box of 10
Notepads: P100
Monogram vinyl stickers: P50
Gift wrappers: P250 for 10 pieces
Gift tags (business card size): 10 tags for P50
Box of 100 gift tags: P300

BAZAAR SCHEDULE

Santa’s Bazaar in La Vista, Dec. 10 & 11
Greenmeadows Bazaar, Dec. 17 & 18

You may also order the Mio Alphabet online: more information here. You can read all about Mio’s story on MioFightsCancer.com, or follow them on Twitter (@miofightscancer) or Facebook.

The story of Mio and his hardworking mom, Jasmine, has always reminded me that there is always something to live for, and be strong for, every single day — and that I constantly have to be aware of that. It’s easy to forget, especially when you’re living a fast-paced life. If you can, I really hope you could support Jasmine & Mio as well.

FLASHBACK! One of my favorite photos: my friends and I at Kythe-Ateneo’s I Am Hope Amazing Race last January, where we represented for Mio Fights Cancer :)

There are so many more ways to make Christmas more meaningful. How are you celebrating yours? :)