So you have chosen to send a gift to philippines to someone you love, but you’re still not sure what to send. Giving gifts in the Philippines is a special and meaningful event, and you want to make a good impression. It is a good idea to think about what type of gift you would like to give. Is there something specific that your family member was implying when she spoke to him on the phone? If so, you have your idea. If you plan to surprise them, you can match your gift choice to the occasion, such as flowers for Valentine’s Day or a birthday.

Remember to send something with a message. That could be flowers for a grandparent’s anniversary with a heartfelt note, or a cake or Jollibee food party package for a nephew’s birthday, or maybe even an appliance for mom, or a TV for dad, or a cell phone for your younger brother. The options are limited to your imagination and how appropriate it is for the occasion.

What is unique to the Philippines is the notion of “pasalubong”, which means “souvenir” or “remembrance”, which occurs mainly when visiting home from somewhere far away. It symbolizes a kind of welcome gift, no matter how short or long the journey has been. Another aspect of sending a gift to the Philippines is the effect hot and humid weather can have on a perishable item like a flower or cake. In fact, our suppliers and clients indicate that the flowers last about 3 days, as opposed to a week or more in other countries. Which means that when you send flowers, it really is a precious gift.

Filipinos also have a sweet tooth and prefer pastries that come from their local brands, such as Red Ribbon and Goldilocks. So while you may think your North American pie is good, choosing something local will be more appreciated.

Here are some popular options to consider when sending a gift:

flowers: They are perfect for almost any occasion: for weddings, birthdays, graduations, debuts… You can choose between roses, lilies and some special selections. Remember: they will not last more than 3 days in places like Manila and Cebu. On darker occasions, you can even send a wreath to someone when a loved one has passed away and you can’t make it to the funeral.

Cakes: Chocolate, Black Forest or even the Filipino’s favorite Ube Cake can be shipped through some websites, and makes a wonderful gift on a birthday. Cakes to be shipped to the Philippines can arrive fresh because they are made locally by popular brands like Red Ribbon and are tailored to that specific Filipino palate.

Gift cards: A super convenient option to get that teen or other family member (hint: Dad!) when it’s hard to choose what to get for them. SM gift cards mean that they can buy whatever they want at the department store or even at the mall. Jollibee gift cards can mean a nice family meal at the Philippines’ favorite fast food restaurant.

gift baskets: They’re a great idea for mom with bath product options like fancy soaps and lotions, and they’re also great for nieces and nephews with items like food gift baskets or chocolates.

electronics: Everyone wants computers and cell phones, but also most especially teens who want to be able to chat, text and post online to their social media profiles. Cell phones and laptops make great graduation gifts.

There are plenty of other unique gift ideas if you give it some thought. Browse gift delivery sites that specialize in delivery to the Philippines and there’s a good chance you’ll not only find it a highly convenient and pleasurable experience to send a gift online, but it’ll probably make at least two people smile: your beloved and yourself!

Written by Sheryl Balilla co-founder of Pasalubong.ca.