Christmas Magic {Thoughtful Thursday #7}

Image via [Pinterest] from [weheartit.com]

Happy holidays everyone! I'm sorry for being on blogger hiatus for so long. *insert puppy eyes here* December is but the busiest month of the year as I played Santa and spent two month's worth of salary buying presents. Nonetheless, I feel happy although broke. I practically love the rush that gift shopping gives me. It's fun to think of ideas to give your friends, family and loved ones. It was a blast and I find most people doing the same.  Truly, Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. Do you agree?

From where I am it's already the 26th of December (and my mom's birthday! Happy birthday Mama!) but I can still feel the holiday cheer all over town. I bet it won't go away anytime soon. In fact, Christmas season in the Philippines is considered the longest where people start decorating at the onset of the 'ber months' that is September 1st all up to Sinulog, the feast of the child Jesus on the 3rd Sunday of January.

Also we have this thing called the Noche Buena, a Spanish term that literally translates into "Holy Night". It is a Filipino holiday tradition where a feast is served on Christmas eve often after the midnight mass. Family and friends gather together and feast on a a wide variety of sumptuous food like lechon, embutido, roast chicken, pancit, macaroni salad and of course my personal favorites (the desserts obviously) leche flan, fruit salad, banana cream pie, chocolate cake and the list goes on!  In short, I welcome the food babies this time of the year! LOL.

After eating, we gather up under the tree and give out the presents, sing some Christmas songs, watch movies, Skype our loved ones who are far away and chitchat till we all feel sleepy. Yep, technology is super useful. It makes the distance less dreary.

How about you? What other traditions do you do in your country?