We wait for it as soon as it’s over. 364 days (365 if it’s a leap year), 4 months of preparation, 4 weeks of Advent, countdown to the last minute, and it passes just like that. 24 hours just like any ordinary day. But that’s the fun part, isn’t it? It’s how you’d make the most money out of it. Haha. But seriously, it’s a God-given day that must be treasured and, cliché as it may, spend with our loved ones. And that’s exactly what I did for Christmas 2011. I don’t really think it was a well-spent Christmas but I’m happy, very happy, nonetheless that’s why I’m sharing it with you.

As per usual, we spent the Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ (mother side) house which is just next door. It used to have this really big Christmas tree but when our construction business was built, the house was renovated and its other half became the company’s office. Hence, the tree was downgraded to this.

The cast was also complete. My cousins, titos and titas came over to celebrate Christmas with us.

Once the clock struck 12, the gift-giving started. I got 3 really nice presents and that’s perfectly fine with me, except that I remember receiving more back when we were little. Well, I guess, Christmas is really for kids and I’m no longer one. The tables have turned and it’s now my time to give back. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hand over a single gift because I just recovered from a fever and didn’t have enough time after that to buy presents for the family.

What I meant by Christmas being for kids. Urie was literally jumping with joy with every gift she unwrapped. And unlike most children her age, she appreciates clothes and was more than willing to try them on. :)

And what’s a Noche Buena without food at the table. It was a feast! Spaghetti, puttanesca, pansit, tempura, barbecue, ham. And that’s not even all! The kitchen sink was lined with cakes, leche flan and desserts alike. Just the plain sight of them all will make you burp. Haha!

After a bountiful dinner, we had an exchange gift but it’s not like any other. It’s called “White Elephant” because we’re supposed to give things we consider as big as an elephant in importance or in memories, but we think might be of more use to others. Those things which we must but find hard to let go. However, more often than not, our family just cram it and just put in anything. This year, I chose to give a pair of leggings and a bottle of perfume I never used.

When we did the draw lots, the gifts I gave landed on my very own hands. Meanwhile, my brother got a pouch from my mom and he was like, “Anong gagawin ko dito?” But that’s where the fun begins. We added a twist to the exchange gift such that when you don’t like what you get, you can steal and exchange your gift with another person and that person has no right to refuse. So in cases when you like what you get, you run with it! Haha. In the end, I was left with a wallet from my sister, the leggings which couldn’t fit anybody else (it’s not free size and believe me, I’m the thinnest in the family) ended up with Urie while the perfume went to my mom.

As Christmas presents, mommy gave everyone these jackets, color-coded per family and with the respective surname’s first letter appearing on the upper left corner (F for Fernandez, H for Hogar and S for Sy). Sadly, as mommy always says, Daddy is such a KJ. He went to bed right away so he was missing in action during the photo op.

The Requiron sisters.

When the fun-filled night was over, I readied myself to sleep and went off to dreamland in no time.

I don’t remember the exact time but when I felt the sun’s rays on my face, I opened my eyes, climbed down the stairs and picked up Santa’s gift under our Christmas tree. At 19, you might expect me to no longer believe in Santa Claus and you’re not mistaken. I don’t. At least, not anymore. But I think my siblings still do. Plus, I still get my annual gift, so I thought I’d keep the act. Anyway, after getting and opening my gift, which is a watch, I went back to sleep.

Then I spent the entire afternoon of Christmas singing in my pajamas. I woke up late and was too lazy to take a bath that’s why.

Oh well. What can I say? :)))))

Daddy. He may not be there during picture-takings but he’d never miss a videoke session. Haha!

After abusing the microphones, we headed to SM to watch Shake, Rattle and Roll 13. Every Christmas season, we make it a point to catch as much MMFF films as possible and it almost always starts with Shake, Rattle and Roll. And my, the cinema was packed! We had no choice but to sit so close to the screen.

As for the movie itself, I may not be the right person to ask about it. All the while, I was hiding on my mom’s arm, eyes closed and ears blocked with my fingers. Haha. But I did learn one thing from the movie and it leads back to the golden rule. Be they be big or small, rich or poor, humans or not, treat them just the way you want yourself to be treated.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)