Where creative expression, timeless traditions, and festive inspiration come together for the holiday season
VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — As the holiday season draws near, Rustan’s Christmas Shop returns with another celebration of the beauty, creativity, and traditions that make Christmas one of the most anticipated times of the year. This year, Rustan’s invites families and Christmas enthusiasts to rediscover the magic of decorating through an inspiring collection of festive pieces and imaginative Christmas themes, offering endless possibilities for creating a home filled with warmth, character, and holiday spirit.
Adding a personal touch to this year’s celebration are a group of creative personalities who bring the spirit of Christmas to life through thoughtfully curated holiday vignettes. Chat Fores, Mark See, Grace Tan, Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran, Nix Alañon, and Joel Cruz each bring their own perspective to the season, drawing from their individual aesthetics, traditions, and inspirations. Some of their festive settings were created especially for select customers, adding a personal dimension to the holiday experience, while others reflect the creatives’ own visions of Christmas.
The Christmas vision of Mark See embraces timeless elegance and sophistication, brought to life through a refined palette of gold and champagne accented with greens and warm tones. For this vignette, created for customer Consul Helen Ong, rustic bird figurines introduce a charming contrast to the metallic finishes and shimmering elements. Symbolizing joy, hope, happiness, new beginnings, and good fortune, the birds add a meaningful touch to the setting, while the choice of summer birds offers a playful seasonal contrast that reflects the warmth of celebrating Christmas in a tropical setting like the Philippines.
Grace Tan explores two different expressions of Christmas, each reflecting a distinct sense of style and sentiment. The vision for her creation for Shyla Tan is rooted in the joy of gathering with family and the deeper meaning of the season, “Since childhood, the arrival of Christmas has stirred a deep, abiding joy within my soul—a magical time when kindred spirits from every corner of the family tree gather as one. More than a season of reunion, it remains a radiant testament to the divine love of our Savior, who bestowed upon humanity the most precious gift of all in His Son, Jesus Christ.” This sentiment translates into a tree defined by timeless elegance and effortless luxury, with premium materials and an intentional arrangement creating a clean, luminous warmth throughout the home. For Meryl Chua, Grace takes a more modern yet nostalgic approach. Clean, contemporary styling is paired with the comforting richness of deep red, silver, and champagne, creating a tree that balances modern simplicity with traditional holiday warmth.
Chat Fores brings confectionery charm and timeless elegance together in Santa’s Grand Salon, a luxurious Christmas setting imagined as Santa’s own holiday retreat. A majestic tree adorned with candy-cane ribbons, velvet bows, heirloom porcelain ornaments, and sparkling glassware is surrounded by oversized peppermint accents, rich crimson décor, and festive details that bring warmth and wonder to the space.Leather-inspired nutcrackers and a refined chess table from Prizmic and Brill add sophistication to the setting, creating the impression that Santa has stepped away from his favorite holiday retreat, leaving behind a room glowing with festive anticipation.
For Joel Cruz, Christmas is an invitation to step into another world. Drawing from the romance of Strasbourg, the Christmas Capital of France, he reimagines the holiday tree as a little European winter escape, bringing together the elegance, whimsy, and sense of wonder that make the season feel magical. He shares, “Inspired by Strasbourg, the Christmas Capital of France, this festive display captures the charm of a European winter holiday. A palette of ivory, champagne gold, and soft blue brings to life the elegance and wonder of a magical Christmas market. Playful white bears nestled throughout the tree symbolize warmth, joy, and togetherness, while sparkling ornaments, lavish bows, and floating golden balloons add a touch of whimsy and sophistication. The result is a dreamy holiday scene that celebrates the timeless spirit of Christmas in France.”
Nix Alañon brings a sense of glamour and theatricality to the holiday season, envisioning a tree that celebrates the beauty of excess and the magic of light. His approach transforms the Christmas tree into a striking centerpiece, where every detail is designed to create a feeling of abundance and wonder. “The inspiration for my tree came from precious stones and the way they catch the light. I wanted it to feel jewel-encrusted and elegant, and with a festive palette that feels a little unexpected. The mix of cool jewel tones and warm lights layered very densely so the tree feels opulent, dramatic and almost completely covered in sparkle.”
Cyndi Fernadez-Beltran captures the story of a Filipino who celebrates a life well-lived abroad, but is now back home, longing for both the calm of a quiet December winter morning and the warmth of a Filipino Christmas. Centered on that connection, she curated a design that marries two worlds: a frosty winter aesthetic with the gentle warmth of a tropical breeze. “Instead of bright, traditional holiday colors, the look relies on rich textures and natural materials. Heavy frosted pine branches are layered with capiz-inspired floral wreaths, natural weaves, and carved star parols. The white snow overlay evokes the soft, cozy light of a northern winter morning, while the raw wood and hand-woven elements bring the tree back to something unmistakably Filipino, and unmistakably home.”
Together, their individual perspectives highlight the many ways Christmas can be expressed, from cherished traditions and nostalgic memories to fresh interpretations of festive style. Each vignette offers a glimpse into a different holiday story while inviting shoppers to find inspiration for creating celebrations that feel personal, meaningful, and uniquely their own.
A Christmas for Every Story
Beyond the personal interpretations of this year’s featured creatives, Rustan’s Christmas Shop presents its signature collection of Christmas themes, each offering a distinct way to bring the holiday season to life at home. From timeless Christmas traditions and refined glamour to playful fantasy, glowing wonder, and local craftsmanship, the collection offers something for every mood, style, and holiday story.
Story Book invites everyone to revisit the wonder of Christmas through beloved storybook characters and timeless holiday imagery. Inspired by books, Santa, elves, and the Nutcracker, the theme brings a sense of nostalgia and childhood magic to festive decorating, evoking the stories that have long been part of the Christmas experience.
For a more sophisticated expression of the season, Christmas Atelier takes its cues from the world of fashion and couture. Tweed, velvet, and silk textures meet black, silver, and gold tones, while diamonds and pearls add a touch of refined glamour to the holiday setting.
Christmas Sparkle embraces the festive brilliance of the season with metallic Christmas colors, bears, and rich red and gold accents. Full of warmth and shine, the theme brings a glamorous touch to traditional holiday décor.
Lighting takes center stage in Infinity Lights, where Christmas lights, infinity lights, and illuminated trees create a dazzling display that brings a sense of wonder to the season. The theme transforms the home into a luminous holiday setting, with every glowing detail adding to the festive spectacle.
For those who love the warmth of a traditional Christmas at home, Home for Christmas brings together plaid fabrics, reindeer, wood, and natural materials. Rooted in familiar holiday traditions, the theme evokes the charm of a cozy Christmas gathering and the simple joy of coming home for the holidays.
A playful take on the holidays comes to life with Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice, where stripes, pastel colors, gingerbread, and sweet-treat décor create a whimsical world of festive delight. With its confection-inspired details, the theme brings a lighter, more joyful spirit to Christmas decorating.
At the heart of the season is Glory to the Newborn King, a meaningful interpretation inspired by the Holy Family and the North Star. With its reverent imagery, the theme celebrates the spiritual significance of Christmas and the traditions that give the season its deeper meaning.
For a touch of Christmas wonder, Where Christmas Comes to Life creates an enchanting miniature world through Christmas villages, snow, lights, and sounds. Filled with intricate details and nostalgic charm, the theme captures the magic of a Christmas scene coming alive at home.
Rounding out the collection, Our Own Christmas celebrates local craftsmanship and natural materials, offering a more organic and distinctly Filipino expression of the holidays. Rooted in local artistry and the beauty of natural elements, the theme brings a sense of warmth and authenticity to the season.
Across these different interpretations, Rustan’s Christmas Shop celebrates the idea that there is no single way to decorate for the holidays. Whether inspired by childhood stories, timeless elegance, the glow of Christmas lights, the comfort of home, or the beauty of Filipino craftsmanship, every theme offers an opportunity to create a festive space that reflects the people and traditions at its heart.
As Christmas draws closer, Rustan’s invites everyone to decorate with imagination, celebrate with meaning, and create new memories along the way. Because the most beautiful holiday traditions are the ones that become uniquely yours.
Make this Christmas your own, and let every corner tell a story.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
