My Scene of Christmas

Prepin' for Christmas 

 

Few months before December, my mother decorates our living room and dining area. A Christmas tree is usually installed in the corner of our sala. The center table is enhanced by an advent wreath-like décor. Windows and cabinets are ornamented with garlands and poinsettias.  These decorations mark the preparation for the Christmas season. Although, we had been very busy with our family business during this time, we still regard Christmas as our most important occasion of the year.

            During Christmas, there are significant things that bring back the memories my siblings and I had when we were still young. 

            Christmas tree. Never before has this tree been absent. We did not have extra budget for that yet so my mother used alternatives instead. I can still remember when my mother made a small one out of used newspaper and garlands. She did it alone while I was just staring at what she was doing. It was not grand. It was not the typical one. It was very simple. Nevertheless, this reminded us that every year Christmas must be celebrated even in the simplest manner. 

 

 

 

Noche Buena 2012. This group shot was taken an hour after 12.

 

Our Family Tradition

            Another thing I love about Christmas tree is that it always gives me excitement. When a Christmas tree is installed, it is a signal to everyone that we must already buy gifts and place it underneath the tree. I love buying gifts and wrapping them up. Before, the most exciting parts of the gift giving were searching for our names and finally opening presents from our parents with surprise and thrill on our faces. These years, what I felt happy for is that I was the one giving the presents and receiving less but still, I make other children happy. It is very heart-warming to see the smiles of my nieces and younger cousins when they receive their gifts. 

            Also, way back when I was a kid, it is beside the Christmas tree where I was placing my sock and had waited for Santa to put sweets and goodies inside it. Well, this has stopped when we were big enough to receive candies and when I figured out that my parents were the actual Santa Claus. This year, I had passed on the tradition. I taught the kids to put their socks on the tree and wait for 12 midnight for Santa goodies. The most difficult part of it is to sneak out and place the candies without them knowing that it was actually me. Now, I can officially say that I had become Ms.Santa.

            Noche Buena. Since I was young, my mother had trained me how to cook. She just had to give instructions and let me do the rest. This year, we were expecting our relatives coming from the province so, I was the one who cooked all the food for Noche Buena (well, as always). It has always been a tiring day for me but when the guests liked what I cooked, it was all worth it. Because of this, they give me compliments or rather half joke. My ears are actually accustomed and immune to it as they say “pwede ka na mag-asawa.”

 

            In general, these happy memories did happened where we all gather – in the living room.

(Note: This paper was created for our Landscape Architecture class.)