The Colors of Christmas

There are eight days until Christmas!  (From my part of the world)  

How are your Christmas preparations going?  We hosted a get-together with friends at home (which was SO MUCH fun, hilaaarious actually haha!), and another party on Christmas day, have a few more gifts to buy, to wrap and to bake! (Homebaked goodies make nice gifts.  This banana loaf recipe never fails me.  Friends have been asking for the recipe!)  But you know, Hubby has a more difficult job to do for the Holidays which requires some assembly (hint: it's the kids' Christmas gifts), haha!

I meant to put up this post at the onset of December (because it is all about our Christmas decors) but didn't have the time to sit and start writing it until today.  But as they say, it's better late than never! (A phrase I seem to be using quite a lot these days!)

We really don't have a theme for our Christmas decors at home.  We have old ones and we just added a few more.  We went with the traditional and classic Christmas colors of red, green and gold.

Christmas this year is extra special because we are spending it in a home we can call our own.  =)

Initially, I wanted to have a fresh tree but I was so excited to decorate for Christmas that I started thinking about it before Thanksgiving, haha!  So we decided to buy an artificial tree and get a fresh one next year.

* Play "O Christmas Tree" song here*

Sharing with you the other decors we have at home:

1. Wreaths and Garlands - I love putting a big wreath on the front door because it is sends out a happy Christmas vibe.  It is like a simple way of greeting and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

We may not have a fresh tree but. . . we got ourselves a fresh wreath!  Haha!

2. Door hangers - Don't they just put a smile on your face?  They put one on mine. =)

3. Table Runners - They do add that special touch in any table =)

4. Christmas Stockings - One of my fondest Christmas memories growing up was waking up every morning and checking my Christmas Stockings (I still remember that it was made of a felt material and has a Snowman on it) to see what Santa put in it!  

The kids' stockings with their favorite characters on it.

5. Something Shiny, Shimmering, Splendid! - It's Christmas!  I think an element of glitter (or a spray of gold) is needed. . . somewhere, haha!

4. Little Details - some of the things I found useful while looking for Christmas decors were:

 Decorative Gift boxes --- which can also be used as Christmas decors.  And what is nice about doing this is they are not expensive and if you ran out of wrapping paper, you can just easily get one from your decors, haha! 

If you have a decorative tray, you may put any thing that is Christmas-sy in it.  I got a pack of pine cones and a candle as accent for the tray.

Yep, the house is ready for Christmas!  

The house may be full of bright lights and these beautiful Christmas colors but truth be told, there is a certain sadness and emptiness in my heart because this is the first Christmas without Dad (he passed away last April).

I guess deep in my heart the reason why I wasn't too keen on getting a fresh tree was it just reminded me of my Dad.  Growing up in the Philippines, we didn't have fresh cut Christmas trees!  But one day, Dad brought home a fresh one!  We were so excited!  He was able to get hold of one from Clark Air Base (a US military facility) which was located in our province. Waking up and smelling those fresh Christmas trees remain to be one of my favorite memories with him.  

And these are the same memories that would warm my heart as Winter comes.

I love you Daddy. . . and I know that you know . . . I miss you every single day.

  

Gift Ideas for Kids

Can you believe it, there are only 25 days, 1 hour and 16 mins (as I'm writing this post) to go until Christmas!

Are you done with your Christmas shopping?  I have a few more to go and hopefully, I get to finish my list this weekend.  One of the things I love doing is shopping Christmas gifts for kids.  It gives you the feeling of how it is to be Santa!  Hahaha!  

I mean. . .HOHOHO!  (Haha!)

There is just something about Christmas that makes it magical for children.

And since Christmas is also known to be a season for Sharing, I will share with you one of my favorite Holiday gift finds for Kids.

I've read about the personalized storybooks by Look It's About Me in the mommy blogs I've been following. So I went to their website and found other personalized items that are also nice gift ideas such as coloring books, wrapping paper, wall art and placemats.

Want to see what I ordered from them?

These laminated placemats measure 11.5" X 17.5".  There are other designs available in the website.

I just wish the size of the name in this particular design
was bigger so it's more noticeable.

Ordering online was such a breeze!  Delivery time is 7-10 business days for deliveries within Philippines (plus a couple of days more if it is being delivered to the province I guess).  Clients also have the option to pick up their orders at their office too.  By the way, they also accommodate international shipping!

I love everything about Look It's About Me (their products, online shopping experience, from purchase to delivery). . . I have yet to order Ate's story book!  I am sure she would be delighted (and excited!) to see her name (and her friends' too!) written in her own storybook!

For more details, please click here to go to their website and here for their FB page.

All I Want For Christmas. . . .

Nothing. . . yes, there's nothing on my Christmas wish list! (actually, I don't even have a list!)

I'm just happy (and thankful) with what I have and where I am right now.  

These are the gifts I've received and would like to give to everybody else:  answered prayers, personal happiness, contentment in life, peace of mind, relationships that last and good health!  (the last one though is something I have to work on!  Heehee)

From our growing family to yours, we wish each one of you a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

And to the Child Jesus, who matters most during this Christmas season. . .  

 

 Happy Birthday!!!

Christmas Medley

I can't believe it's only 34 days to go before Christmas!  (Where has the year gone?!)

One of the thing I love about Christmas is hearing Christmas songs.  Some songs bring back fond memories of my Childhood.  I remember waking up every December morning to Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting in an open fire. . . ) because my Dad loves playing music every morning.  Those were the days of vinyl long playing records!

The song "Donde Este Santa Claus?" (I actually call it the Mamacita song, haha!) brings me back to that day when I was in Grade 2, and we had to dance to that song for a school program.  My partner's name was Peter, and I remember we even had maracas as props! 

One of the songs I learned earlier on in school was "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer".  I'm sure it was for a school program too!  Haha!

 

Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?  

The song "Christmas in Our Hearts" (sang by Jose Mari Chan, a Chinese-Filipino singer) makes me miss my sister because this is one song which we sing (does not necessarily mean we sing it well, haha!) when we're lying on our beds, doing nothing.  (I miss you sis!!!)

 

I am going to miss spending the Christmas Holidays in Philippines (we have the longest Christmas season!) but I am glad we are spending it with Zola's Dad here in LA . . . it is definitely something we are all happy about and something we look forward too!

 

Merry Christmas!

As I write this post, there are only1 day, 11 hours and 10 minutes left until Christmas!  Before everyone gets busy with their holiday preparations and plans, we are sending everyone our warmest greetings for this joyous season . . .

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Also, let us not forget to greet the One person who truly matters most during Christmas as we celebrate His birthday . . .

Happy Birthday Jesus!

 A personal photo 
One of the nicest Christmas displays I've seen when I visited hubby in LA
(Christmas 2010, The Grove)

P.S.  I do want to ride Santa's sleigh with the Little One so we can go and visit her dad or better yet, for him to ride the sleigh and come home to spend Christmas with us. *Wishful thinking*

Our Christmas Belen

One of the things you would see in Filipino homes during Christmas is the "Belen" which depicts the Nativity scene of Jesus Christ. 

Our Belen was creatively done by my Dad and Mom.  Yes, they did everything.  Mom thought of putting some poinsettias  (my sister then figured out why there were less poinsettias to hang in the Christmas tree, haha!) while Dad put some Christmas lights around the Belen.

Though I noticed two things:  First, Joseph has to be put outside the "stable" (which by the way is an old magazine rack, Dad's idea) because he is too tall. . . so one of the Three Kings was inside with Mary. . . AND second, if you look at the left side of the picture. . . 

I asked my mom why there were fairies in our Belen?!  LOL  

She didn't even have an idea that there were fairies in the Belen!

My guess, either she or dad thought that it was an angel because of the wings.

Time to get new glasses Mom. . or Dad. . . whoever put the fairy there! =)

P.S.  The fairies are now happily sitting on top of the organ.

My Christmas Wishlist

My bestfriends M and P have been asking me about my Christmas Wishlist so they can get it for me.  We've been friends for so long that we're comfortable enough to be honest with each other with what we want for Christmas.

So to my dear friends, M and P, thank you for your thoughtfulness by asking me what's on my wishlist.  You'll be happy to know I thought of one!

I want a new. . . .

Photo Source

FIGURE! A slimmer MEEEE! LOL

I told M about this and she asked me for her other options, Haha!

I've always been a "big" girl so I really don't wish for a whistle-bait figure but I'll be happy if I would at least shed errr . .. a few pounds.

Ok, I know . . . this is a gift I have to give myself. . . 

So while we're at it, these are the other things I'm dreaming to get for myself:

(All the stuff here are gifts from ME or from Zola's Dad! Haha!)

1. Good, flat comfy shoes - Since I got pregnant, I got used to wearing flat shoes.  I've been wearing the same shoes and sandals since I got pregnant.  I think I need to get a new pair.  I'm not particular with any brand.  The magic word . . . COMFORT!  But I love the colors of these Tory Burch ballerina flats though.  Something different from my usual black, gold and silver flats.

Tory Burch Reva Flats
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2. A cross body satchel bag - I admit, I have enough handbags.  But they're all shoulder bags which makes it kind of hard for me to push the stroller or carry the Little One with a handbag dangling on my side.  A cross body type of bag would be more convenient and easier for me to carry and (with a baby in tow), to look after. Not that I'm making excuses. . . LOL!  (Pictures below are just pegs for my bag)

Mulberry Alexa Hobo Bag
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Stuart Weitzman Satchel and Cross Body bag
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3. New set of bed sheets - A mom's sleeping time is sacred, haha!  I would love to get a set of bed sheets with at least 300 thread count =)

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4. A coffee machine - As I've mentioned in an earlier post, I love coffee (be it brewed or instant)!  But since this is a wishlist, I might as well dream BIG!  It would be really nice to have a coffee machine at home that would give me freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, cafe mocha, latte or machiatto. . . .all of these by just pressing a button!  Ayayay, heaven! LOL

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But if I only have to give one wish, it would be for Zola's Dad to come home this Christmas and spend it with us (it's the Little One's first Christmas).  I'm sure she would like to show Daddy her roll-over, her high-fives and her new adventure as she starts eating her solids.  

The Little One and I just miss him so much . . .we can't wait to see him next year!

So this caps my wish list. . . care to share what is on yours? =)

Wrapping Gifts is Love

The Little One and I received our first Christmas gifts last Sunday from Ninong D and Ninang A (They were are our godparents when Zola's Dad and I got married.)

Ninang A always has the best wrapped gifts bar none! It is something T (a close of friend of mine who is also their inaanak) and I look forward to seeing every Christmas.  

Every Christmas, she has a theme for all her gifts.  There was a year that she had the colors blue and silver as motif and used Christmas balls as accents.  This year, she used plain gold wrapping paper, ribbons, hollies and figurines.  Her wrappings makes the "opening of gifts" part really hard, haha!  Because it hurts to tear a nicely wrapped gift!         

  

Thank you Ninang A for always putting so much effort and LOVE in wrapping our gifts but more than that, thank you and to Ninong D for wrapping your love, affection and wisdom around us.  We are truly blessed and grateful that we have you in our lives.

Ninong D, Ninang A, Me and T

  

Magic Santa

I read about this Magic Santa from one of my N@W (Newlyweds At Work) sisters (Thanks T!) who posted it in our message board.  

Magic Santa will help you create a personalized video for your kid from Santa!  Can you imagine the look in their faces if they receive this video where Santa is talking to them?  How cool is that! =)  I'm sure kids are going to find this awesome!  

I tried making one to show you how it looks like, making it is easy as 1-2-3 =)

To pique your interest, I won't go into details how Magic Santa makes it personalized because I think it's better if you see it for yourself =)  Since the Little One is still a baby, there are some questions that I can't answer . . .yet (like what gift the child wants for Christmas, etc.)

Pls. click on this link to view a sample of Santa's message to the Little One: 

http://magicsanta.ca/gateway.html?code=U96TZE

By the way, the card can be sent not only to children but adults as well. . .(hmmm, i might try making one for Zola's Dad, heehee)

I would just like to give you heads up that loading the video might take a little bit of time (remember, Patience is a virtue, hahaha!)

Have a nice Sunday everyone!

26 days before Christmas!

It's 26 days before Christmassss!!!!!

I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet but I'm getting down to the bottom of my list (Yayyy!)

But I'll let you in on a secret. . . I have yet to think of something for my mom and dad! Haha!  I don't know if it happens to you but don't you think giving gifts (and thinking what to give!) to parents is the hardest?  I guess I just want their Christmas gift to be more special. . . I am one lucky girl to be so loved by them.    

I have also started wrapping gifts.  For a change, I thought of trying these decorative boxes.  They're cute right?  No wrapping needed!  Heehee. . . .  

Got these nice gift tag stickers too . . .

My sister also bought these plastic handles for our DIY gift bags . . .

I know we all want to give our loved ones the nicest gift we can think of.  The "nicest" though doesn't necessarily mean the fanciest or most expensive.  As Mother Teresa said, "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

I know that sometimes we get busy with our holiday preparations but let us also keep in our minds and hearts the true essence of Christmas and honor the greatest gift we ever received from our Heavenly Father.

Ready for Christmas Shopping?

It's 60 days until Christmas . . . and I haven't even done any gift shopping yet! Aaarrrghhh!  I got to start working on that list!  I do take my gift giving seriously, haha!  I know some people don't like shopping for gifts but I find joy in finding that perfect gift and knowing that the person absolutely loved it!  

Do you know how I choose which gift to give?  Here are some of the things which help me:

1. I keep in mind their interests, hobbies, their lifestyle - For example, for somebody who loves to cook, a good cookbook, a cool or unique kitchen gadget would be nice gifts.   A health buff would appreciate a gift which he/she can use at the gym or when exercising or if the person is a music or book lover and you're not sure of the person's faves, you may just get a gift certificate so they can make their own choice. 

2. Do-it-yourself (DIY) gifts - I would love to do this!  If only I'm creative and crafty enough, I really would! haha!  Or if I only know how to bake . . .a box of homemade brownies or a jar of delicious cookies in a nice Christmas packaging would be a lovely gift.

3. Personalized Gifts - I like giving and receiving personalized items because when you see your name on it, it makes you feel special.  Some of the personalized items I have received in the past are towels, notepads, gift tags and stuff for travelling.

4. Buy something that person won't buy for himself/herself -  I wanted to buy a really nice bag but decided not to since I'm saving for something else.  So my sweet sister thought of buying it for me as her Christmas gift. (Thanks sis, love you much!)

5. Or sometimes, all I got to do is ask this question if I have to decide over a gift. . . would I like to receive this gift as well?  Haha!  Try this. . . it really helps =)

Happy Shopping! =)

P.S.  Don't shop 'til you drop, just take it easy. .. teehee

Image Credit: www.cartoonstock.com