What have YOU done?

lol...

Actually, that should be rephrased to read "what did you do over the christmas season?" Now that I've got your attention, I should just let you know what I did right?

Christmas has always been a busy holiday for me. First, there was the shopping for gifts. As the years pass, our ever-so-large christmas list becomes longer and longer what with the additional inaanaks both for christening and for weddings. Last year, I alone had an additional of at least 4. Even at 14, Ikee has hers already. Boyet didn't have any but he has a new job assignment and has more people to give gifts to.

Then, there was the tiangge. In the Philippines, these small stalls sprout at almost any corner during the yuletide season if only to cater to the huge volume of shoppers. Any place would become an instant flea market where great finds normally await each buyer. We had a 1-day sale here at our condo which also served as a garage sale. I had so many things to sell, both brand new things and used ones, and had earned some money from the sales. But I had to give money to my dad and those that helped me.

Then, there was the annual christmas eve party that I host for my friends and my help, and her family. Of course, I cooked almost everything to make it special.

Shortly after christmas, we flew to Singapore to give Ikee her treat. We had wanted to go to Sagada but our friend, Gutch, and his family, were not available to join us. So, there, Gutch, it's officially your fault. hah! It was great but then you'd have to read my blog over at www.pinas-et-al.blogspot.com so I won't have to repeat my story here.

So, what did you do?

Christmas Dinner at Half the Price - Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas Need Not Be Expensive

Christmas eve has been a time for us to celebrate with my maid's family and some friends who we know will not be able to return the favor to us. Each year I manage to spend a larger amount than I have budgeted for the dinner that we serve our guests while we end up having more food in the ref than we originally started what with the mounds of chow that come from other friends and family members. This year I thought I would have to be wiser - make other people happy but without spending and wasting so much.
The secret really is to share your blessings. I mean literally share it. My menu consisted of Ham, fried chicken, pork in garlic and olive oil, spaghetti, fruit salad, bread and some pastries. Boyet brought home a basket of goodies for making spaghetti and fruit salad. We had some pastries given to us by different people which I served in a platter to make and decorated it with a small christmas figurine. Some of the fruits which we got too were mixed with the fruit salad. The ham was from Boyet's office too which I sliced and served with bread and some syrup. I had to buy the bread, chicken and pork and the coke drinks but that's all.
For the gifts, I recycled some of those given to us the previous year. Some were from the box that my mom sent us from the US. I didn't have to run out of gifts to give even when the crisp money from the bank did. Not bad. We had a really good time and everyone, both children and adults, had something to take home. At least now we did have everything that we wanted.