Yay! Christmas Week has arrived! Christmas Day is fastly approaching *woo hoo* and there’s lots to look forward to here on Book Chick City. So sit back with a glass of mulled wine and a delicious mince pie and enjoy!
My favorite Christmas memory was the one taken from my homeland. I was born and raised in the tropical island of the Philippines where there’s no white Christmas, no smell of pine cones and no real trees. I used to think that I was missing a lot, but now looking back, I terribly miss it. The traditions that my family have and hanging out with all my childhood friends.
Every year up until I moved here to California, my sister and brother would go to our parents’ house at the eve of Christmas to welcome the eventful day that happens on the 25th. We call it Noche Buena, traditional Filipinos still do. They would arrive by noon and we start cooking greasy, artery harmful food that will be served as our major feat by midnight. Having a large family we always start early. We exchange gift during the 24th, and it takes us 5-6 hours of giving and receiving. I have 4 sisters and 3 brother and a total of 21 nieces / nephews. Crazy I know but totally awesome and always fun.
I also remember a Christmas party in our village where they closed up the whole street. I must have been around 8 or 9 years old. A neighbor was dressed as Santa and our parents will put in a gift for us and Santa hands it us. I was not like other kids, I knew that Santa wasn’t real and I knew that those gift he handed out that night were not really from him but from my sisters’.
I also have a very fond memory on how every street on every city and every house in the country decorates their houses with elaborate decorations. The atmosphere totally changes during this season. At a very young age I noticed that the crime rates were down and that every body was pleasant to anybody, like there were no problems in their lives. It was a very postitive reflection on how people allow themselves to be happy even if its just for a day.
*~*~Patricia~*~*
8 Comments
I love hearing about other people's Christmas traditions. You have some really great memories Pat! Thanks for sharing with us =o)
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Hi Pat,
4 sisters and 3 brother and a total of 21 nieces / nephews.
I love xmas with big families, though I don't have such an extended one as your I have a brother, sister, step-brother and sister, they've got a significant other, my parents, my grandmother we all come together and catch up with each other. It is chaotic, it is loud and we have a ball together. I never say no to a pressie but that is what I love most about xmas, the whole family together, we're pretty tight-knit but it isn't on a frequent base we are all in the same house during the year so we take advantage of such days.
I don't know if your family has got traditions but I always bake the apple pie, my sis always becomes a taxi driver for one day collecting family and as it is my brother's birthday we all sing happy brithday out loud whenever we are at a restaurant which always gets much response from the other diners in the restaurant and makes my brother cringe a bit…he reaches 30 this year and I already have my wicked hat on *grin*
Sorry to ramble on you like but Orchestral Maneuvers IN THE DARK is playing on the background, BCC is baking mince pie and makes a mean cuppa and I'm all in the xmassy mood. Thanks for sharing your memories, you've definitely triggered mine
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Hi Pat! My husband is Filipino (grew up in Baguio-came to the US when he was 7 years old) and both of my children are adopted from Manila! Our American-Filipino Christmas Eve tradition is to make pancit. And then on Christmas day all of his family gets together and cooks (and cooks and cooks….hee hee, you know). Maligayang Pasko!
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I love to read about others Xmas traditions.
Loved your post!
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Thanks BCC for having me
I want' to heard you guy's as well, so if you have any guest post. Let me know 
@thetrubloodaddict & SusiSunshine. Thanks glad you like it
@Leontine – To be honest sometimes I wish I don't have such a big family. LOL it's a pain having to talk to my niece and nephew that it is not unfair that the other gets that and the others don't. They think I'm playing favorites and then my brother and sister will add taunting to the picture. haha. And no, no apple pie for us, but we have our version, we always have rice cakes and cream brulee. Thanks for sharing your memories
@Penelope – baguio is such a nice place. The only cold part of the Philippines. I love it there. Oh wow, I haven't had pansit for Christmas in 5 years. Maybe I'll request some from my father in law
this year. Maligayang Pasko 
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Wonderful memories Pat! Thanks for sharing them with us. Your SSS sister Bells.
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Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing your Christmas memories.
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I married into a large family and it takes all day to open gifts!! Thanks for sharing your holiday traditions
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