Ten things about the holidays!

It's the December issue of ten favorite things by Brianna.

  The link up will go live the first Monday of every month and each month will have a unique topic. This month's topic is "Ten things about the holidays". Click on the photo above and join the fun!

[one] Family - Nothing would make the holidays happier than spending time with them, as the time we have together seems to slip away morea and more quickly as we grow up. Family is the BEST part of the holidays.

[two] Gifts - I love love giving and receiving gifts. The process of wrapping them up makes me giddy and excited too! I won't be receiving gifts/money from my aunts and uncles as I'm already a working gal but my friends and I are already planning for our annual Kris Kringle, so I'm really looking forward to that. I also like giving special baked goodies as gifts for my loved ones.

[three] Bakeshop business - my mom and I are selling home baked goods - cupcakes, pastries, cakes, fudge bars - and we even cater for parties. Our orders from customers are especially high during this time so it'll be a very busy month for us.

[four] Noche Buena - When the clock strikes 12 midnight on December 24th, the most special foods abound and it isn't the time to worry about calories, I tell ya! We would take hours in preparing them beforehand and its really something when you get to actually eating them already. The typical Filipino Noche Buena menu consists of Christmas ham, pasta/lasagna, fruit salad/coconut/macaroni/potato salad, quezo de bola, chicken(roasted or relleno), pancit, and Filipino delicacies like Picchi picchi and bibingka.

[five] Foods - I think everyone has this one on their list. Where's the fun in the holidays without sumptuous and delectable foods to share, right? Also, chestnut vendors are popping up everywhere, which is one of my ultimate favorite foods during the holidays! Others are Christmas ham, puto bumbong, bibingka, chicken relleno, baby back ribs, fruit cocktail, buko pandan, roasted turkey, pancit and many more! This is the perfect time to indulge and let go of your weight woes until next year.

[six] Christmas lights around the city - Here in Manila, people would set up their Christmas decors as early as September-October. It's one of the things that I look forward to every year. Each year, we visit a popular street where houses are lined with abundant and colorful Christmas lights and decorations exactly like the photo above. Plenty of people would visit the place and there are some who would even set up little food, trinket, and beauty kiosks on the sidewalk. I can't wait to see it again this year!

[seven] Christmas greetings/cards - I really like receiving these especially when they're from my immediate family and close friends, whether in the form of emails, texts, voice mails, and my favorite, an actual greeting card.

[eight] Cold weather - the perfect time to bundle up, get cozy by the fire place, go to places like Baguio and Tagaytay, and visit our favorite coffee shop for that perfect hot choco/coffee(on an daily basis).

[nine] Good vibes everywhere - Notice that people are extra kind, generous and happy during the holidays, that's cause there's little or nothing to be sad about!

[ten] Christmas carols - I love watching kids and grown ups alike play Christmas carols in the streets. It reminds me of my carefree and beatific childhood!