#charofles123

The Holidays

When the days start getting cooler and decorative lights begin to twinkle, it is clear that the holidays are coming. At this point I have been waiting for these times, to which some people might assume I would be waiting just for the vacation.

No. These times are so much more than that. The holidays, or in my case, Christmas, are more than just a vacation. It is a time to give, to love and to celebrate Jesus's birthday. It gives me a sense of hope and joy, that in this season, people are actually united and are as kind as it can be. Of course, being kind and generous shouldn't just be on Christmas, but these days always give off an aura of goodness, which even brings out the best in people. Today, I am going to share my experience in perhaps the best Christmas ever.

An Old Memory

This was all the way back in 2020, back when everything was so much simpler. I was no older than 12, and yet it was probably the most memorable one yet. It was a respite for the rest of the very turbulent and chaotic year. Of course, classes were out, and I got to enjoy a couple weeks of vacation. But I wasn't excited because of the vacation, I was waiting for Christmas. One of the first things I had to do was help in decorating the house, and more specifically, the Christmas tree. My mother insisted on a Hello Kitty theme, as it was a favorite of hers. It was very enjoyable, and of course, I had to do the task of placing the star at the top of the tree! With a bit of effort and with the help of my father, I managed to place the final decoration for the tree. It made me feel accomplished and proud of myself, as I had more or less added the "cherry on top" of the tree.

Family

As they usually do, my cousins and other relatives were coming over to celebrate with us. The house, was of course, very busy, and I spent my time with them. I always felt joy when I was around them, and we were almost always around together. We anticipated this day, we shared stories, played, and even went out to other places. With them, I felt... well, ecstatic, and I felt a special feeling every time I was around them.

A Memorable Night

At last, it was finally Christmas Eve. On that night, me and my relatives got together to celebrate Noche Buena, and we had a large feast. I got to eat a lot of my favorite food, and I got very full. Later that night, I stayed up to 12 AM with my cousins, of course. We managed to convince our parents to allow us to stay up and wait for Christmas, and we definitely enjoyed our time awake.

Conclusion

It was nothing special, na busy na among house kay daghan nasad ga order Kay December Naman sad. Nag bantay napud dayon ko sa mga cats nako para dili sila mangawat ug tiil sa lechon, habit gyud na nila. Natingala nalang dayon ko nga naay katawag akong mom, guol pagyud kaayo iyang face nga nag lingkod siya. Naghilom-hilom rako at first pero kalit nalang dayon siya nag hilak. Rare gyud na kaayo nga akong makita si mom nga ga hilak, Dili gyud na siya in ana ka emotional. Gi duolon nako si mom, wla pakoy gi istorya nga ako siyang gi hug. Nihilak siya sa akong sinina, nag puyo nalang sad ko. Gipangutana nako ngano ga cry Siya tapus gi explain niya nga nag cancer recurrence si tita. Natingala gyud ko, ngano mu balik paman iyang cancer nga okay naman kaayo to siya last namo pag visit?

Basta mag tugbong mi sailaha, lutuan gyud ko ni Tita vera ug adobo, iya pang ignan akong mga cousins nga muadto sila sa dagat para dakpan kog kasag kay kabalo man siya nga favorite nako ang crab. Sge na siyag pangusi sa akoa, sunggogon pako niya nga sayo lagi daw ko ma minyo. Mag pa palit na siyag Ube nga cake, tas mango cake para saakoa. 'Abitot' iyang pag tawag niya sa ako.

Ni tan-aw ko sa calendar, hapit na akong birthday. "Ngano karon?" Naka huna-huna ko. Okay naman kaayo to siya, gidala panamo to siya sa dagat. Wala ko nakahilak, nasuko nuon ko. Wla ko nakasabot ngano mubalik pa nga nag recover Naman unta si tita. Naka adto pami didto bag o pagyud, nag storya mi duha. Dili na Siya ga pasulod sa iyang kwarto Kay Dili Siya gusto nga maluoy mi sa iyaha. Gi ignan ko ni mom nga gi tawag daw ko ni Tita, nakulbaan ko, wla pako naka sulod sa iyang kwarto sukod nag puyo Siya didto. Nisulod ko sa iyang room, humot kaayo ug haplas, nag tan aw ko sa portable nga toilet tapus mga medicine nga gi butang na sa katre dayon ni tan aw ko sa iyaha. Niwang na kaayo si tita. Iya kong gipa lingkod sa katre, nag storya mi, gipangutana ko niya kung unsa Akong gusto nga tarbaho, about school. Nag lingkod rako didto, nag tubag Ra sa iyaha, gusto Nako Siya i-hug pero sa iyang kaniwang, nahadlok ko nga basin masakitan na nuon Nako Siya. Nakahuna-huna ko if mao ba pa gyud ni si tita, kusog raba kaayo ni Siya mangusi, Naa gyud nay color iyang nails tapus naka lipstick pa. Luya Naman kaayo Siya sa Akong panan-aw, nalooy ko sa iya.

"Gikapoy Ka, Tita?" Gipangutana Nako Siya.

Ni katawa Siya Gamay, "Oo,"

Gi hawiran nako iyang likod, "rest na Tita." Gi ignan Nako siya. Nisugot Siya, nilingi Siya sa Akoa, gi tan aw Nako iyang nawong, niwang nagyud kaayo siya. Gi hug Nako Siya, very gently ragyud.

"I love you Tita," Ako siyang gi ignan.

"i love you too." Nitubag Siya, halos wla siyay tinggog. After a week Kay ni uli mi sa bukid.

Gi ignan ko sa Akong mom nga muadto mi didto karon gyud, mag ready nadaw ko sa dal-on Nako Kay I-surprise daw Namo si tita. Ni dagan ko sa Akong kwarto, nag dali kog prepare, gi ignan nasad nako Akong ate ug Kuya.

Nilakaw mi pagka adlawon, Cagayan Nami. Nag ring Ang phone ni mom, nag smile Siya, gi ignan mi niya sa likod nga Dili Mag saba nga padulungay nadaw mi. Gitubag ni mom Ang phone. Nahilom Siya, natingala nalang pud mi. Nilingi Siya sa likod. Wala na daw si tita.

Nahilom mi sa sakyanan. Wala gyud ko naka tuo.

Naka abot mi didto Kay didto Nami sa funeral home nag atang Kang tita, ayha nami nag kita utro nga naa na Siya sulod sa casket.

Wala ko nag hilak, not until gi haya na siya. Nitulo Akong luha nga gi layog Nako iyang portrait.

After a few days, Christmas na. Nag share Akong family nga nag dream daw Sila ni Tita, natingala ko Kay wla pako naka dream sa iyaha. From 2023 up to now, mao Akong Gina pangayo Kang tita nga iya kong kamustahan sa Akong dream for Christmas.

December fills me with excitement. There’s something magical about this month of the year that just feels amazing.

Taking walks at night and seeing the streets sparkling with colorful lights felt like walking through a dream. Hearing the Christmas songs played everywhere made my heart smile, as if they were bringing me back to every happy moment I had. Most especially is seeing a lot of people wearing their most genuine smile, which makes Christmas even more special.

Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, we still give thanks for the love, hope, and joy found in Jesus. We also celebrate Thanksgiving, where we gather with our loved ones and take a moment to thank God for all the things we’re grateful for. Since December is the month that has the longest holiday, it’s also the perfect time for gatherings. It is the time where all my family gathers, and the best feeling is knowing that in every gathering there’s new memories will be created and there will be a lot of exciting things that will happen, especially the unplanned laag. It meant so much to me to have all my family members with me during that special month, as it was the moment when their faces lit up with joy, that fills the air with love and laughter.

Have you ever had an unforgettable Christmas that makes you smile every time you think back on it? A Christmas so memorable, that it makes you want to go back in time. 

Month of December

When December is coming, there’s always this special feeling that starts to build up, like a quiet sense of anticipation in the air. Also, you have this feeling of nostalgia that begins to set in when December approaches. It reminds us of past holidays, and traditions that have come to define the season—decorating, listening to familiar holiday music, and the excitement of giving and receiving.

Big Family

As a member of a big family, I can say that it is really more fun and enjoyable having more people, especially during holidays like Christmas. For me, it is quite an advantage since, because of them, I feel the warmth of Christmas more, and I feel really loved and cared for, not only on Christmas and holidays but every day.

Loved Ones

Spending Christmas with your loved ones makes it more special. There’s something so comforting about being with people who know you well. Being surrounded by people you can call home. People that don't make you feel left out and alone.

Making New Memories

While the holidays often bring up nostalgia for years past, they also give us a chance to create new memories. The moments we create with the people we love. It’s about those simple, momentary experiences that give the season its heart and soul. 

Sad Reality

Is it only me, or is the magic of Christmas slowly fading? As I grow older, the excitement of the holidays and Christmas is slowly fading. Sometimes it feels like that magic fades into the background, overshadowed by the stress of the season or the passage of time. Not to mention, losing some of your loved ones sometimes makes the holidays quite sad. It is different then and now.

The holidays remind many of us of the things that are most important in life: friendship, family, and the relationships we cherish. It's a time to take a break from life's hectic schedule, think back on the last year, and spend time with the people who make us feel warm. Christmas is the ideal time to cherish those priceless moments spent with your loved ones, whether they are your immediate family, close friends, or even a chosen family. There’s a reason we look back on certain Christmases with such fondness—it’s not just the events themselves, but the memories we created and the emotions we felt.

Each Christmas is a bit like a new adventure. Even though it comes every year, there’s always something fresh and exciting about it. Some years are a little sad or challenging, but they still end up being part of what makes the holiday so memorable. Today, though, I want to share the Christmas that really stands out for me, the one I’ll always remember.

It was Christmas in 2022. The world had just started to heal from the chaos of COVID-19, and my family was finally coming back together. Everyone was so excited, almost like we were making up for lost time. There was so much energy in the air, and the Christmas spirit was present around and everywhere.

But the best part of that Christmas? I got to video call my crush, who’s now my girlfriend! It felt like the perfect moment. Even though we weren’t in the same place, we got to share the holiday together, laughing and talking while everyone else was celebrating around me. I felt happy and confident in a way I hadn’t in a long time. Christmas of 2022 wasn’t just like the other years, it was something special.

Spend the holidays surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. Take time to relax, laugh, and make memories together that you'll carry into the new year. This season is all about enjoying each other's company, unwinding from the busy year, and recharging together. It's a chance to feel grateful for the people around you and look forward to everything the next year will bring. This blog is about my experience during last year's month of December. And No, I do not celebrate Christmas, we only celebrate Thanksgiving.

December has a magic that makes it feel like the world is wrapping itself up for a grand finale. With only a month until December, the season of celebrations is nearly upon us the time many call "the most wonderful time of the year." As I get ready for the festivities, I find myself looking back on memories from last December 2023, reflecting on all the moments that made it special.

I remember back December 2023, me and my friends, my barkadas also know as "the mwas" planned out a small get-together party or a year-end party. We had a problem finalizing the date due to busy school schedules, until we decided it to be held on December 21, at my place. Although we weren't complete due to "wala gisugtan" and busy schedules. We had heart-to-heart talks which made most of cry, we had jammings, chikas, reminiscing, and many more. I had a lot of fun and I was grateful for that experience and that we were able to hangout with each other after being busy with school.

We don't celebrate Christmas, but we do celebrate Thanksgiving because of our faith. This year, it was extra special since we also celebrated my grandmother's birthday on a Saturday, which is our day of rest and church. What made it even better was that my uncle came home from the US for the holidays. The happiness in the air was undeniable, as we were all finally together. It felt so good to be with my family again, and I was especially happy to see my cousins after such a long time. It was a moment of pure joy to be surrounded by loved ones.

My Younger brother's birthday is also on December. Me and my Kuya decided to treat him out for lunch, unli-wings, since the three of us love to eat chicken. It was actually our first time to eat out together without our parents, usually we do celebrate birthdays together but my parents were busy that time. I felt very happy to spend time with my brothers, it made me feel more connected to them.

December 31, everyone is so excited for the new year’s. In my tita's farm, which is just next to our house is where we usually celebrate the New year’s. I remember my mom, tita and lola being busy in the kitchen while me and my cousins set up the venue, the tables, the bonfire and of course the Karaoke. I'm always excited for the ampao— este New year’s eve, where I can spend time with my family. And of course, we can't forget about the food, especially Bulalo and Pancit Guisado, the cakes, the fruits and my mom's specialty, the spaghetti. I am very thankful to the Lord for giving me this blessing of Family, I am grateful that I have these people in my life and also for the opportunity to spend time and celebrate another year with them.

Back in elementary school, I would always get excited for December, knowing it meant the end of classes and a break from school. The thought of seeing some of my family was something to look forward to, even if it was just a small gathering. And of course, I loved that it was a time when I could earn a little extra money from family members. Spending time with my family brought so much joy, and it felt like the season gave us that special opportunity to be together.

Still, as much as I enjoyed these gatherings, there was always a part of me that felt a bit different. I would sometimes find myself comparing our family gatherings to others, noticing how they had a complete family with a dad, something I didn’t have. It made me feel a little insecure, like there was something missing, but I also knew how lucky I was to have family who cared for me. Even if there were moments of self-doubt, I truly loved and appreciated my family. They were my comfort, my happiness, and every December, I got to be reminded of that.

And so, each December, the gathering became a reminder of what truly mattered. We didn't need extravagant displays or big celebrations; it was the small gestures, the laughter, the feeling of being seen and valued that made the season feel whole. I realize that these gatherings shaped how I understood love and family. They taught me that family isn’t about perfection but about showing up for each other, embracing each other's flaws, and creating a space where everyone belongs.

December has its own unique feeling, and for me, it’s a time filled with gratitude, family, and faith. Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense, December is still a special month with moments that bring us closer together and remind us of what truly matters. Here are some of those moments that stand out.

WEATHER

One of my favorite things about December is the cool weather. After months of warm days, the air finally turns fresh and cool, which is such a welcome change, and I get to wear layering clothes. This cooler breeze has a way of lifting your spirits and makes it nice to spend time outdoors with family and friends. For us, it’s a reminder to appreciate the beauty in each day that God has given us.

FAMILY

December is when everyone seems to have a little more time, and we often come

together for simple meals and quiet moments. Whether we’re sharing a favorite dish, watching a family movie, or just talking late into the night, it’s a month that gives us those moments of closeness that get harder to find during the rest of the year. Family gatherings are thing I look forward to. Whether it’s a simple lunch after church or a dinner with extended family, these moments remind us of the blessings we have. My fondest memories are those spent around the table, listening to stories from my grandparents or playing with the kids in the family.

In 2019, we were able to gather freely with my family. December was full of get-togethers, laughter, and good food. My favorite memory was a game night with everyone at home, playing old board games and laughing until late. It was such a fun, simple night that brought us all closer.

2020 was a quieter December. With fewer people around, we celebrated at home and kept things simple. One memory that stands out is a video call with family members who couldn’t be with us. We shared stories, jokes, and tried to make each other laugh, even over the screen. It wasn’t the same as being together, but it still felt special.

Looking back at 2019 and 2020, it’s clear how much those years taught me about the importance of family, resilience, and appreciating the small things. In 2019, we enjoyed big gatherings and laughter with family and friends. It was a time of togetherness, filled with warmth and ease. 2020 brought quieter celebrations as we stayed home and connected with loved ones in new ways. Although it was challenging, it helped us find joy in simplicity and made us grateful for even the smallest moments of connection. Both years left lasting memories—one full of togetherness, and the other a reminder to cherish what we have.

December is also a month of reflection and prayer. As the year comes to an end, it made me look back and think about everything that has happened. For my family, we use this time to thank God for His guidance and blessings, and to pray for strength in the coming year.

Finally, it’s the little things, like setting up decorations or simply enjoying the cooler weather that make December special. These small moments don’t require much, but they fill my hearts with peace and gratitude. Spending time with family, doing good for others, and strengthening our faith make this month rich with meaning, even without the traditional holiday trappings.

For us, December may not be about traditional Christmas celebrations, but it is a month filled with peace, family, and faith. It’s these small, meaningful moments that make December a truly special time for us.