A Time to Give

When I was younger, I had all the time in the world to create handmade gifts to my family and friends whenever there’s a special occasion. I love to do crafts and shop for cute and useful things that I would put together, redesign and personalize. Preparing gifts and surprising my loved ones with inexpensive, yet unique creations always give me a different sense of fulfillment. But when I became an adult with real life responsibilities to prioritize, I realized what “so much to do, so little time” meant in its truest sense. 

Fortunately, while the luxury of time has become limited, the creative expression need not be compromised. There are a lot of online gift shops today that cater to this specific kind of need, where you can browse a  lovely range of selections and conveniently order in just a few clicks, without going to a physical store. So whether one is too busy to shop for dog gift baskets for a furry friend, or has ran out of ideas of what to give during the holiday rush, the warmth of Christmas food gift baskets never fail to spread the holiday cheer. 

One of the best things that my parents taught me early in life is how to be a joyful giver. It does not matter how little or how much you give, for the thought of sharing without expecting anything in return, is what’s truly important. Gift-giving does not always require a special occasion. Whenever you feel like sharing, please do. The profound happiness it brings is meaningful both to the giver and the receiver, especially when it comes from the heart.

Christmas 2008

After all the stress and excitement, the much awaited day came at last.

This year, the true essence of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ seems to have been clouded again with more commercialism than the previous years. With the innovation of high end and more expensive toys, blings and other material things that we can't seem to get enough of, who will not be consumed with the 'holiday high'?

Yes, we're humans after all. But I still believe that after all the gifts have been given, received and unwrapped, the successful traditional binge on sumptuous food and wine, in our hearts lie the joy of being able to share in many ways this season, no matter how great or small it may be.

We spent our Christmas eve with a simple dinner. The gift giving had been scheduled the following day, when all family members and relatives are expected to be present. On Christmas morning, the Little Lady eagerly woke up early to do the traditional gift giving to kids in our neighborhood.


My Mom, who is one of the most generous and charitable persons I know, started this tradition many years ago. She never fails to remind us the true spirit of the season by giving back a part of what we have as a way of sharing to the Church and the community. This is something that I want to pass on to my little girl - the virtue of generosity.

Some of you may think this is already a late greeting. Well technically, it's still Christmas until the Feast of the Three Kings next year, so we can still greet each other, share and spread the love of this festive season. :)

From our family to yours, a blessed Christmas and a peaceful new year 2009!