CHRISTMAS season, particularly the holiday break, is by far the most joyous time of the year. Having an extended time off work and just taking things easy at home with my family make it more blissful for me.
From the 23rd to the 29th of December, I enjoyed hanging out at our own little house in Marilao, Bulacan than somewhere else. I wouldn't even get dressed. It was my day to relax and read and do housekeeping without time pressures.
First on my list was to organize my school and personal files on my work/study area and those in my desktop by saving my files on CDs as backup. Next was to deal with clutter and dirt all over the house. It’s amazing how much clutter can accumulate when you’re not paying attention to it.
I sorted through unused clothes, books and magazines, decorations, and kitchen wares. And while inspecting shelves, closets and kitchen racks, I discovered swarm of termites burrowing on a closet where my kids’ old school books and some of my school files are stacked. The termites must have found the books delicious that they crunched almost all of them and nibbled on some of my files. The rest of my files and other parts of the house would have been gobbled down had I failed to detect the silent insect invasion for a couple of months more.
My wife helped me in decluttering and keeping our home guest-ready. We had visitors on the 24th, mostly my in-laws from Malate, Manila. With additional work to deal with, like wrapping gifts and planning and actually preparing for the noche buena, keeping a clean home for the holiday can be a real challenge to her. She had to redo the decors on the Christmas tree and walls, and had to change the curtains and sofa covers.
Staying home also means helping with the laundry and sharing with cooking chores. But this time, as if in an extended family weekend, I do most of the cooking. Of course, I enjoyed most of it, especially when I see my kids anticipating my mostly Ilocano recipes that I served on the table.
And during my free time (no household chores to do), I see to it that my kids are entertained every second of the day, otherwise, you would hear from them “I’m bored” or “When are we going out?” I let them watch DVD movies with me and my wife. They were happy watching old movies and some cartoons.
I gave my kids extended time for play which I wouldn’t normally do during school days. I allowed them to play with their playmates in the street, especially in the afternoon. My two boys played basketball in the plaza near our place every morning. My six-year-old girl was content playing with her new Barbie doll and her cash register toy. I allowed them to swim with their cousins in the club house pool on Christmas day, and we flew kites on the next day.
My kids thought that the holidays were just fine, even with my cancellation of any plans of a holiday getaway. Good enough, even while they were home, they got what they requested from Santa, and had received the gifts and even cash sent to them by their godparents and relatives.
I told them that going to Star City during this time is out of the question, because with the monstrous crowd at its peak season they might not get their money’s worth as they had to endure long queues for their favorite theme park rides.
My wife helped me in decluttering and keeping our home guest-ready. We had visitors on the 24th, mostly my in-laws from Malate, Manila. With additional work to deal with, like wrapping gifts and planning and actually preparing for the noche buena, keeping a clean home for the holiday can be a real challenge to her. She had to redo the decors on the Christmas tree and walls, and had to change the curtains and sofa covers.
Staying home also means helping with the laundry and sharing with cooking chores. But this time, as if in an extended family weekend, I do most of the cooking. Of course, I enjoyed most of it, especially when I see my kids anticipating my mostly Ilocano recipes that I served on the table.
And during my free time (no household chores to do), I see to it that my kids are entertained every second of the day, otherwise, you would hear from them “I’m bored” or “When are we going out?” I let them watch DVD movies with me and my wife. They were happy watching old movies and some cartoons.
I gave my kids extended time for play which I wouldn’t normally do during school days. I allowed them to play with their playmates in the street, especially in the afternoon. My two boys played basketball in the plaza near our place every morning. My six-year-old girl was content playing with her new Barbie doll and her cash register toy. I allowed them to swim with their cousins in the club house pool on Christmas day, and we flew kites on the next day.
My kids thought that the holidays were just fine, even with my cancellation of any plans of a holiday getaway. Good enough, even while they were home, they got what they requested from Santa, and had received the gifts and even cash sent to them by their godparents and relatives.
I told them that going to Star City during this time is out of the question, because with the monstrous crowd at its peak season they might not get their money’s worth as they had to endure long queues for their favorite theme park rides.
Going to the mall is also out of the plan. I would not willingly drag my kids during holiday madness through wandering mall traffic, and multitudes of shoppers darting and dashing between clumps of regular stalls and those mini tiangges! How I hate long queues for security checks at narrow entrances and those Christmas carols playing non-stop! I don’t think I could endure long lines on counters and even on restroom. And best of all, I intentionally blocked the temptation of spending too much by shunning shopping malls during this season.
Surprisingly, though, we all found out that we gained so much fun even without going outside our home during the holiday break. Call me shallow, but being with my family for seven straight days at home was a rare and exhilarating experience. I wouldn’t exchange that for any material gift for this season.
Surprisingly, though, we all found out that we gained so much fun even without going outside our home during the holiday break. Call me shallow, but being with my family for seven straight days at home was a rare and exhilarating experience. I wouldn’t exchange that for any material gift for this season.
