New Stuff for Christmas

If you’re a Filipino like me, you grew up as a kid getting pamasko or aguinaldo (Christmas presents) from your parents, siblings, relatives, godparents and family friends. It could be in the form of material gifts or just plain cash (which I preferred and still prefer up to this day!).

Now that I’m an adult, I don’t just rely on anyone for new stuff whenever the Christmas season arrives. While I appreciate receiving gifts from family and friends, I also buy myself Christmas presents. It’s like my reward to myself for all the hard work I’ve done this year. The gift could be expensive or not, so long as it’s the one I really want. To give you an example, I almost purchase this yoga pillow at yogadirect had I not suddenly realized I’m not yet into yoga. Haha.

Continue reading “New Stuff for Christmas”

Internal Arrangements

Now that I’m married, planning for Christmas and New Year celebrations is a must. As early as the day after our wedding, the hubby and I have already made “internal arrangements” as to where we would celebrate the two special occasions. Christmas would be with my side of the family while the New Year would be with his. Fair enough.

Things were different when I was still single. It’s a must that we stick together at home. When the hubby and I became a couple, I remember celebrating a few New Year’s with them. There was even one New Year celebration where they invited my family over. It was a fun celebration complete with parlor games, prizes, gifts, fireworks and of course, lots of food.

Continue reading “Internal Arrangements”

Divisoria Shopping

My Christmas shopping isn’t complete without the requisite trip to Divisoria to do some, well, shopping of course. Yesterday morning, my mom and I trooped to the so-called “bargain shopping mecca.” The roads leading to the place was in heavy traffic. The usual 10-minute ride lasted almost an hour, can you believe?

When we got to Divisoria, the roads to the malls there were filled with goods and people (yes, there were lots of goods scattered on the road sold by street vendors). It was hard to shop inside the two malls we visited (168 and 999) but the finds were worth the money and energy we spent. We found some great deals and went home very happy and satisfied.

Continue reading “Divisoria Shopping”

Kindness Pays Off

For this year’s Christmas, we have decided to use a real tree instead of the traditional one. We were supposed to buy from my officemate who sells various kinds of plants on the side, but it seemed God had a different plan. I was gifted by the same officemate with a Christmas-decorated araucaria which now serves as our official Christmas tree at home.

I was surprised by the sweet gesture so I asked my officemate why he gave me such a beautiful and expensive tree. He said he just wanted to return the favor as I have been good to him ever since he could remember. He reminded me of the times when he needed help (financially and otherwise) and I didn’t hesitate to lend a hand. I replied he didn’t have to do it but thanked him still. His gift came in good timing and was very much appreciated.

Continue reading “Kindness Pays Off”

Christmas Money

Are you the kind who allot a particular amount of money for Christmas? I am. And I do this for other special occasions as well. This Christmas, I’m relying on the bonuses I am expecting to receive at work. Hopefully, our employer gives it on time for me to be able to shop gifts for my loved ones. I can’t wait.

I actually have a list in my head. I have already bought some items on it while the others I have yet to acquire. I also have some things that I want for the house. It’s like giving our house the Christmas gifts it deserves. These include new towels and bed sheets, new set of plates and some cushion for chair (just because the removable cushion of our dining chairs are already out of shape!).

Continue reading “Christmas Money”

Decorating for Christmas 2012

Ours may be the only house in the Philippines with not a single sign of the coming Christmas season yet. Our Christmas decors are still wrapped up upstairs and waiting to be reassembled. I dunno, I must just be plain busy or crazy lazy for not acting on them at this point.

Christmas has always been a happy occasion for me. But this Christmas will be a bit different. I will be celebrating it with the hubby for the first time with us as a married couple. I will surely miss having the traditional Noche Buena with my family. We can’t just make plans because it’s a must that we celebrate both Christmas and New Year in our marital house. It’s our first year in this home, after all.

Continue reading “Decorating for Christmas 2012”