If you’re looking to create a winter wonderland for your loved ones this holiday season, make sure to stock up on your gifts now because Christmas will be here before you know it.
Variety was in Garapan this week snapping photos and chatting with store owners in the central village and we’re ready to share some promos, stocking stuffers, and gifts to spread the holiday cheer.
On the hunt for local crafts and jewelry, we paid a visit to Elhina Chatri, owner of Marianas Creations.
“Any artists from CNMI—Saipan, Tinian, Rota–if they’re doing any crafts, if they’re making something here I would like to present that,” she says, showing us the bounty of the islands.
Variety spied some beautiful, wooden hand-carved Gregg Eliot pieces that could look beautiful on an office desk or wherever you want to have a vision of Saipan nearby.
Islandry670 earrings, crafted from polymer clay, are vibrant, colorful, and available in a myriad of styles. You’re sure to find one that perfectly complements your loved one’s aesthetic.
If you’re looking for something more laid back, but still intricate and quietly beautiful then definitely check out the woven, hoop earrings made out of metal and pandanus leaves coming out of Saipan Weaving.
Marianas Creations likewise features some absolutely stunning ligitutur made by Tahine Creations. The beadwork on these are simply phenomenal.
Antonette Labausa and her brand Ginen I Tasi feature many different pendant styles made out of giant clam and spondylous strung on jet-black chord. There are some sleek looking sling stones and adze head pendants that are lovely, and some spondylous stud earrings as well.
Bonita Basula features dainty spondylous and sea glass pendants on gold plated chain, that can really help someone look super dudus.
And if you’re trying to get someone a spondylous necklace that really stands out, make sure to peep the spondy and black chord get up from Finatinas I Tasi.
But maybe you’re friends and family are looking for electronics or some cologne or shoes, toys, or what have you.
Over at Hot Deals Saipan, they have just about everything except the kitchen sink (but they do sell tools, so you could totally install a kitchen sink if you visited them).
Arhtur Miron runs the show over at Hot Deals Saipan, and he confirms that for the rest of December, customers can take 20% off phone cases, backpacks, and clothing items.
Elsewhere around the store select items have special sales prices that could see you saving even more than 20%, like a Michael Kors backpack we saw that has a 40% discount. If you got a bougie relative make sure to snag that deal.
Hot Deals has cell phone cases galore, so you’re not in any danger of running out of those as last minute gift ideas.
Miron just slashed the prices of a few of his TVs in stock, including pricing a 50-inch Vizio tv down from $579.99 to $499.30.
A 55-inch QLED TV is just under $765 as well.
There are plenty of Nike, Adidas, Under Armour shoes for men, women, and children.
If you have a Fortnite fan in the house, Hot Deals has Nerf guns that are sure to have your kids busting out their favorite emote as you clean up all their Nerf bullets off the floor.
Hot Deals likewise has all kinds of brand name fragrances, but make sure to check out their store brand scents as well. The Mila Modesta collection is an in-house brand, and when we smelled Aqua Fresh, we could have sworn it was Davidoff Cool Water fragrance.
And to close out our holiday shopping for the year, we stopped by Monika’s Treasures, which has built a reputation for beautiful, hand carved teak items.
Monika Nugent, was on hand to take us around the shop, located right next to Joeten Garapan.
She says for the holidays, all items are 10% off.
She also confirms that if you’ve seen Monika’s Furniture getting ready to open up along Middle Road across First Hawaiian Bank, the rumors are true: they will open up there soon. And when they do, Monika is offering a 20% discount on furniture at the new Gualo Rai location.
At the Garapan Monika’s Treasures, Monika points us in the direction of some party baskets that would look handsome at your next fiesta table, holding your forks, spoons, and napkins neatly.
If you’re looking for some warm, rustic lamps, Monika has some that start at $39. She says they’re good for romantic lighting.
But really, if you’re shopping at Monika’s then you’re there for the hand carved, teak goods from Bali. Those are the show-stoppers, for sure.
Monika’s has no shortage of decorative storage boxes, figurines, statues, and more.
Also spotted in the store is a hand-woven rattan purse for $29 at the store—a great find, given that others in the shop often cost over $60.
There you have it! This list is far from exhaustive, but it’s a good beginning. Wishing you a safe and wonderful Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
These stunning ligututur were made by Tahine Productions
A beautiful collection of earrings from Islandry670.
Find this $120 latte hut acrylic painting at Marianas Creations.
“Iiiiiadai so dudus” is what your family will say when you lookbonita in Bonita Basula accessories. $25-$65.
This big spondy Finatinas I Tasi necklace is giving massive maga’lahi vibes worth $300.
Cute and elegant woven hoops from Saipan Weaving.
$3 bird stickers are great stocking stuffers.
Cool Waters? No—Aqua Fresh.
This Vizio 55-inch TV will set you back $764.36.
We all have that one bougie aunty who loves Micheal Kors. Get her this backpack, on promo at Hot Deals Saipan.
Nike Air Max, $98.95.
Phone cases galore at Hot Deals Saipan.
Before your kid opens this $28 Fortnite Nerf gun on Christmas, ask him or her to floss.
Women’s shoes at Hot Deals.
These teak carved boxes will set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of $19-$22 at Monika’s Treasures.
Monika herself told us these wooden carvings are popular gifts to send off island.
This hand-woven rattan purse is a steal–$29. Most others in Monika’s Treasures are more expensive.
Hair sticks for $3 at Monika’s Treasures.
$6 hair sticks.
These Christmas decorations would look great in your home.
Lanterns start at $29.
Coconut wood and bone chop sticks.
Whether its holding forks, napkins, or whatever, these lovely rattan utensil holders would look great on a fiesta table $29.
Beautiful rattan baskets from Bali, $19 left, $16 right.
Lazy chairs get all the love at Monika’s Treasures priced at $950.
Wooden figurines are aplenty in Monika’s Treasures for $6.
This Greg Elliot original is beautifully hand crafted
