On Coby giving gifts

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Ever since I was a child, Christmas isn't really my favorite season of the year, but its fun nonetheless. I get gifts and cash and to eat so much food that I'd have to stand up most of the time to aid my abused tummy digest it. We spend time with our families and enjoy the feast. But of late, I realized how expensive and such a hassle it could get, especially for someone who's started to work a real job. I've decided to trim down the list.

I've been really busy with work and I wasn't able to shop for gifts for everyone I hold most dear until on the eve itself. I rushed to the mall, withdrew cash, and searched for something to wrap in green and red laces along with scores of people doing exactly the same thing. It took me hours. I bought gifts for my brothers, for my boyfriend and something for myself as well. I still had a long list of names to finish. I was thinking I’d spend thousands when I thought why bother finishing the list when the most important people in the world for myself (who are in the country) are my brothers? You might say I'm rude, but I'd like to think I'm just being practical. I don't like buying cheap little things with chains and zippers for gifts - not even for monito/monitas. I bought my brothers what they've been eyeing on for some time. But when my brothers opened their presents I swear it was the best feeling in the world. It felt so much better when I gave my boyfriend his present. I got a gift card and a really nice bracelet.

On a positive note, the best Christmas present I could give others is the friendship we’ve established and the respect that is due them. This is the season of giving and I believe that no amount of presents can top what we can have for keeps – love, friendship, and all the other fruits of the soul. I just gave a few presents because they’re really special to me. You get my point? If you've noticed, pinabango ko lang yung sinabi ko. Teehee!

(Reposted from my Multiply blog dated December 29, 2008 3:41 PM)

Patawad!

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I’ve done it only once and it was for a class activity. I went out with classmates in an exclusive subdivision and sang Christmas carols. Unlike most carols these days, we actually sang, not played with recycled cans and sang with voices that are hardly angelic. And because we did a good job, we were able to get a big amount of money which was used for our class’ Christmas party.

But that was years ago. And I haven’t participated in any caroling since. Truth be told, I avoid it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas carols. Sometimes I surprise myself by humming to an old Christmas tune even in the middle of summer. And I do love a wonderfully sung carol by groups that actually know how to sing. But I avoid young children who invade our right to privacy and rape our ears with headache-inducing, cringe-worthy renditions.

It’s automatic, almost as old as the tradition itself—they come to our homes and sing even before they knock on our doors, and we give them a few pesos immediately to end the noise. Most of the time we let them finish their “Jingle Bells” and other easy Filipino carols before we open our doors. Some of us cut them midway and say our “patawad” just to get some peace and quiet. Sometimes—and I bet you’ve done this, too—we pretend nobody’s home. And when they leave our gates we let out a sigh of relief, but we prepare for another batch of eager kids to ruin the sanctity of our Christmases. Okay, maybe that was too harsh. But hey, don’t tell me you actually enjoy the ruckus?!

Peace and quiet. I think we’re all entitled to that especially during the holidays. I may not speak for everyone, but I’m sure some would agree that Christmas carols here are more of a nuisance than anything else.

I like to spend Christmas with my loved ones in peace. How can we do that when we’d have to pretend nobody’s home or say our patawads every 10 minutes or so. This is why I like living in a condominium: no children singing Christmas carols.