A Different Kind Of Christmas

What do you want for Christmas, Hon?  That was Ted’s question last night. All I said was World Peace!  Which we both laughed at. But come to think of it, I personally do not want anything for the holidays. But of course, I won’t refuse presents when they come to my door step. For a change, at least this year. I want to do something for someone else, share our humble blessings and make other peoples Christmas happy.

So during one of our family week end dinners, I suggested a project for our relatives back home. I told (more like reminded) everyone how blessed we’ve all been all these years (besides the occassional blow), and yet there’s some love ones back in the Philippines who’s not fortunate enough to even have a Christmas dinner. Life has been a drag for so many back home. Some have lost there jobs and some are just unable to earn enough. That they would rather spend there money on necessities, than festivities. And so our family has decided no-gift-giving-among-us this year, except for the kids. ( They’ll go crazy without there presents under the tree. ) We’ve pledged an amount, typical of what we’d usually spend on buying gifts for ten people. We put all those money together and do something special for the people we love back home. The idea was to surprise our relatives and love ones with a Noche Buena Dinner. And we’ve contacted a caterer (per recommendation of a friend) to prepare a hearty meal for about fifty (50) people. The food would then be delivered on Christmas Eve. Our own little way of saying, Merry Christmas!

And since my family have all been supportive and kindhearted. I’ve decided (in my own little way) to treat everyone on a long week end trip. We’ve made plans before to drive some place before the holidays, but never really got to confirming it. I figured out that everyone was free from December 22-24. So, I took it upon myself to surprise the family, three (3) days and two (2) nights in fabulous Las Vegas! I phoned and emailed everybody this morning and seems like everyone is excited. Even my five year old nephew was jumping in glee when he heard the news. I got us two rooms at the Bellagio Hotel and dinner reservations at Le Cirque. It’s my so called christmas present for the family (and Ted), who I consider the best blessing there is, ever!

PS: This would be Ted’s very first road trip with mi familia…