Opening the Last Christmas Gifts

This post is actually just a follow up to my previous post, Late Christmas Reunion with College Buddies.  I briefly mentioned there about our tradition of exchanging gifts once all the eating, catching up and laughing have been exhausted.  Traditionally, the adults exchange gift tokens, while the kids receive toys, clothes, accessories, or Christmas money.

At home the following day, we initially felt a little weird having to still open presents almost a full month after December.  But that feeling soon disappeared as soon as we saw how cute all of Maia's presents were, and how much she seemed to appreciate each of them!

Late Christmas Reunion with College Buddies

My college friends and I always make a point of getting together for the holidays.  It has been that way since 1993, when we were all just single and fresh out of college.

Through the years, we see bottles of beer or Bailey's slowly disappearing from the table or menu; sleepovers (due to all-night partying or hangovers) becoming a rare occurrence; cigarettes that used to be consumed soon after we all eat became non-existent; the gifts either decreasing in number (with the migration of some to other countries), increasing (with the "entry" of our partners, followed by kids), or becoming less bulky (with the kids eventually maturing in age, emotions, and personal taste).

Opening of Christmas Gifts

Would you believe that we were only able to open our gifts two (2) days after Christmas?  It's true!  There were just so many things we needed to do first.  It also took me a while to post these photos as I tried first to remember which gift came from whom.

Opening Christmas gifts always elicits good feelings from me.  I think I speak for everyone when I say that it brings out the child in every one.  Of course, Christmas is more than just about opening presents.   It's about commemorating the birth of our Lord with people that you love; and knowing that they love you, care for you, and appreciate you for who you are.

2010 Soriano Family Christmas Lunch

December 26 is always the day when my husband's side of the family comes over to celebrate Christmas.  Our post-Christmas ritual usually involves a hearty lunch, followed with either an afternoon siesta or all-afternoon catching-up of stories.  Afterwhich, we say our goodbyes and call it a day.  It was different this year.  Cupid's brother and his family stayed until night time and we even took them home.  I even believe that if Wings didn't have any prior appointments, then they would have stayed longer or even overnight.  It was still a holiday that following day anyway.  Perhaps it is because we miss each other's company and did not really want to part ways early.  Whatever the reason, it was truly a fun but relaxed day with family!

Bayot Family Christmas Party (2010)

Another year, another memorable Christmas reunion party for the Bayot family.  It was especially memorable this time around for a number of reasons.  First, because my Aunt and Uncle from San Francisco are on vacation here.  Second, because Bella is celebrating her first Christmas.  And third, because we are joined by Frenjick, my brother's partner, for the first time.  Indeed, our family is growing!  Oh, have I mentioned that my sister is now 4 months pregnant with her second baby?  Yes, there will be a new addition next year...and I can't wait!

I hope you won't mind that I will be posting many photos here today.  It's just that...in such a memorable day like that with family and loved ones, one cannot help but take plenty of pictures to capture the moment.  You just can't.

Christmas Shopping at Greenhills Tiangge

We're finally finished with our christmas shopping yesterday.  Didn't think we will be able to finish shopping for gifts in just 2 consecutive weekends (read here for part 1 of our christmas shopping).  But thank goodness, we pulled it off!  This time around, we spent the whole day at the Tiangge inside Greenhills Shopping Center.

Hubby was right when he told me that, other than weekdays, shopping in Greenhills is best done on a Sunday morning for there won't be that many shoppers.  I said, "Are you kidding me? Greenhills?  At this time of the year?"  He answered me with "I promise, Honey!"

Christmas Shopping (Part 1?)

Cupid and I finally decided to do some christmas shopping yesterday.  First stop was at the Toys "R" Us store inside Robinson's Galleria.  It was a joy seeing Maia's eyes light up when she saw all the many toys, and more so when she got to "sample" playing with them.  She tinkered with the toy grand piano, pointed to some kiddie bicycles, slid on some slides, but spent a good part of her time banging on the Dora the Explorer drum set (I tell, you, she was a natural!).  It took a bit of effort to pry her from everything (which was expected when you put a 2-year old inside  a toy store).  But it had to be done because pretty soon she seemed to want everything she could put her hands on.  And we couldn't allow that.  We needed to think long and hard to ensure that the gift we will soon buy for Maia will be worth it and one that she will actually love and enjoy playing with.  Good thing we still have enough time to decide.

In order to actually start buying gifts, we had to take Maia and her Yaya Ann to Austin's Land, the kiddie play area inside Tom's World.  Good thing we did just that because it made Maia forget all about Toys "R" Us!  Inside were padded and water-inflated (that's right...water!) ball swims, see-saws, and slides. which just aroused my little toddler's curiosity.  She wanted to see where the water was coming and going, and wondered how come she wasn't getting wet...she kept asking her yaya, "Where's water?"  Hahaha...cute huh?! :-)

Soriano Christmas Lunch (late post)

December 26, 2009...was the day we celebrated Christmas with family from my husband's side.  Cupid and I would've wanted to be with his nieces and only brother on Christmas Eve but weren't able to because of their other commitments.  Time was also limited and so instead of going out, a simple lunch was set up in our house.  And as to be expected, when loved ones get together, the simplest of gatherings can be the most meaningful thing to happen!  And it didn't really matter that it was December 26.  It did not matter that there weren't that many gifts exchanged.  We were all together.  That's all that really matters.

Bayot Christmas Reunion 2009 (another late post)

The Bayots of Anahaw Street in Quezon City have gathered once more for Christmas Day.  For three (3) years now, we have been holding our celebration over at cousin's house in Fairview.  Their house has been the venue of choice these past couple or so years for it is big enough to hold thirty (30) or so people.

You read it right...30+ people!  I cannot believe it either.  There used to be only 15 (I know...only 15 huh?!) people lived in that small, 200-square meter Duplex-compound...6 from the Bayot-Dela Cruzes and 9 from the Bayot-Bustamantes.  Our Christmases used to be really exclusive.  Nowadays, there are sons- and daughters-in-law, partners, grandchildren, yayas and drivers!  But, as they say, "The more, the merrier!"