We spent Christmas Eve in my aunt’s house (my mother’s side), as we usually do since we moved here. My aunt prepared the feast for our lunch and our dinner. As usual, there’s pasta, rotisserie chicken, a whole roasted pig, and lots of Filipino foods.
My cousin prepared lots of games for everyone to enjoy. We played “musical chairs”, “stop dance”, and other made up games. We usually get Php20 to Php40 each when we win. Which is about .50 cents to a dollar. But still, it was fun. Our aunts and uncles even joined in the fun. My grandmother sat on her wheelchair with a smile on her face, she told me that she wished she can stand up and join our games. She suffered a little accident about 7 years ago, she slipped on a marbled floor, and it fractured her hips, but if she didn’t, she would’ve played with us.
Everyone was there, minus my dad, who’s in the province to work. NAPOCOR employees never get to enjoy the holidays. My other relatives weren’t there, too. My aunt from California gave us a call, though. She said she bought lots of calling cards to call everyone; relatives in the Philippines, in Spain, in Japan and in Australia. It’s hard when all you can hear are their voices over the phone. Still, it’s a good thing to get calling cards that are so cheap, so she can talk to all of us. Imagine how huge the phone bill would be after calling us without it!
Our yearly tradition of exchanging gifts happened on Saturday night, the 22nd, because my dad had to leave for work. He comes back on Friday and will celebrate New Year’s eve with us. My secret santa is my sister, Juvy, who gave me a therapeutic pillow, which I told her I wanted for my birthday. I gave my dad a new leather wallet from Girbaud. I gave him a new wallet because his old one has worn out over the years. I also gave my mom and sisters really cute pouches, and I gave my brother a t-shirt. I was supposed to give my dog, Booboo, a play shirt, but it costs too much! But I plan to give her a dog bed, since she sleeps mostly on our couch.
On Christmas day, we stayed at home. My relatives who were affected by the fire came over our home in the afternoon. We gave them our Christmas presents, groceries, and the basic necessities that they need. It actually feels good to give, more than receive the same gifts every year. The gift check I received from my aunt was used to buy new dresses for my little nieces.
My father comes home on Friday. We’re going to our other relatives who were affected by the fire to bring their gifts and the other goods that were donated to us, for them. I want to thank Nix, for sharing her blessings with us. It is a great help! Thank you!
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
In line with the Christmas spirit, I am doing a Christmas tag. As I was lurking at 
