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TRADITIONS WE STOPPED DOING DURING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

January 18, 2022 by Little Miss Honey

Year-end winter holiday celebrations like Christmas and New Year have accumulated some accustomed traditions in several households, ours included. When we were younger, my mother have started lovely traditions during Christmas and New Year. On Christmas eve, we often go to church for a evening mass then when we go home we would be told to sleep because Santa Claus is coming and he doesn’t want to see kids awake. The adults will be busy in the kitchen. I would hear clanks and banging of kitchen pots, a cheerful chatters from the elders with a booming sound of Christmas songs from the speakers of our sound system. When we (the kids) are woken up a little pass 12 midnight for our Noche Buena (Christmas feast) followed by opening of presents. Our mother would often give us loads of gifts for Christmas. She would even wrapped even the tiniest gifts separately because she enjoy seeing us open our gifts. We will also check the socks we hang in the window for Santa to fill with goodies, usually with an apple, chocolates and candies. I would keep that sock filled sweets in a shoe box and I would slowly eat them for weeks after the festivities.

During New Year eve, we often lit noisy firecrackers and beautiful sparklers. We have a houseboy at home that took care of lighting up the firecrackers and sparklers for our safely. We often have 12 fruits displayed on a container on top of the dining table for New Year that represents abundance for the next 12 months. My mom just loves our reaction when we open gifts during Christmas so we don’t open all the gifts we got in Christmas and we save it for New Year’s Eve. My mom would often add more for New Year’s Eve.

My hubby’s Christmas traditions involved a big party with his family and the whole clan with lots of games, gift-giving and lots of laughter. He talked fondly of this memories of those parties.

Now that I have my own family, we tried to incorporate some of the traditions we have been accustomed to and made new ones. However, out of necessity, the current circumstances we are all experiencing now and practicality, there are some traditions we have stopped doing during Christmas and New Year.

Here are 5 traditions we stopped doing during Christmas and New Year:

1. Big holiday parties

Because of the pandemic and practicality , we opted for staycations over big holiday parties. We prefer to chill & quiet (me especially) over loads of preparation and more loads of clean up after the party. It is not easy to do big parties even small parties without a helper and with three active young kids. Honestly, I just can’t manage. So we rather book a good budget hotel for Christmas or New Year. Maybe we book reservations for a Christmas buffet or maybe a good Christmas or New Year Eve dinner would be just great. We still attend fun Christmas parties with our friends here over at their homes and exchange gifts days before Christmas.

2. Gifts

Pinoy Christmas

My hubby and I have already promised ourselves when we were still living in Singapore, in order to save, we decided to only give gifts to each other on our birthdays. So we don’t give gifts to each on Christmas, New Year, anniversaries and Valentines. So no gift-giving between my husband and I are already a given.

Previously, during Christmas, we would give one gift from Santa and one gift from us to our kids. A few Christmas before, I would add lots of little knick knack gifts for the kids. But I realised that kids received lots of gifts from our neighbours too for Christmas. Toys and stuff accumulate and we realised that they start taking their stuff for granted with the massive collection of toys and items. We decided a gift from Santa is enough for us. It is also economical. We prefer to expose them more to experiences instead as well as teach them the value of taking better care of the things given to them.

3. Christmas stocking filled with sweets

Christmas Stockings

I used to enjoy this tradition so much. I love opening my shoebox filled with sweets. But now with my kids, we try to minimise their sugar consumption. We often keep the socks away from them and give them their sweets sparingly throughout the weeks. It would literally take months before they can finish their stocks. Plus we already have a stock of chocolates in our fridge which we eat occasionally for dessert. So we thought we get rid of the stockings filing with sweets because it is totally encourage sugar addiction. They barely even realised they didn’t get it from Santa.

4. Opening presents on Christmas Eve

In our household when I was young, we often open gifts on Christmas Eve but now with my kids, my hubby suggested that the kids open their gifts when they wake up in the morning of Christmas. It makes the kids excited for the morning of Christmas.

5. Twelve fruits for the New Year

We don’t buy 12 fruits for New Year for abundance. It seems like a superstitious practice. I rather pray and work for abundance & prosperity for the New Year rather than relying on fruits for my luck.

Another practice we will probably stop for New Year are firecrackers and massive sparklers. Here in Oman and before in Singapore, we never do it because it is prohibited. But if we are in the Philippines, I would like those firecrackers too because it is quite unsafe.

So there you have it, the 5 traditions we stopped doing during Christmas and New Year. Do you have traditions you decided to stopped too?

Some Christmas tradition I am keeping is attending mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ though I do it online now. I also want next time to buy a cake for Christmas for Jesus’ birthday and sing a Happy Birthday song with the kids. For New Year, I still do my New Year’s resolution, of course. It is one of my favourite traditions of all time.

Filed Under: Expat Diaries, Motherhood Tagged With: christmas, Lists, new year, traditions

MY CAPSULE WARDROBE LIST

November 7, 2021 by Little Miss Honey

capsule wardrobe

I previously wrote a blog post on How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe. Some wonder how much items they should have to comprise a capsule wardrobe. Some suggested it should be around 25-50 items. Some suggested it should be lower those mentioned numbers considering capsule wardrobe idea sprung from the minimalist movement. Some mentioned there is no exact number for it. I agree with last one.

Credit: Teresa Laucar Instagram

I prefer to have a wardrobe of basic things for me to mix and match. I will put a list below for my capsule wardrobe.

OUTER WEAR

  • 2 cardigans (different monochromatic colour)
  • 1 sporty jacket
  • 1 dressy jacket (for special occasions)
  • 1 leather jacket *optional
  • 1 trenchcoat *optional

SPECIAL OCCASION

  • long gown
  • cocktail dress
  • little black dress
  • formal white dress

CASUAL UPPER WEAR

  • 3 plain t-shirt
  • 1 Breton Mariniere striped 3/4 shirt or long sleeves
  • 1 striped t-shirt
  • 2 monochromatic polo shirt
  • 2 monochoromatic spaghetti strap shirt
  • (2 monochromatic casual sleeveless top)
  • 1 graphic tshirt

DRESSY UPPER WEAR

  • 2 dressy tops
  • 2 monochromatic button down shirts
  • 1 white button down shirt (preferable oversize – own preference)
  • 2 3/4 or long sleeves monochromatic tops

BOTTOMS

  • 2 skinny jeans
  • 1 baggy jeans
  • 1 black jeans
  • 1 cropped jeans
  • 1 tattered jeans *optional
  • 1 coloured or patterned jeans
  • 2 slacks (preferable black and brown)
  • 1 culottes

SKIRTS

  • 2 A-line skirts
  • 1 pleated skirt
  • 1 short pattern skirt
  • 1 bohemian long skirt
  • 1 sequinned skirt *optional
  • 1 leather skirt *optional

SHORTS

  • 1 denim shorts
  • 2 coloured/pattern shorts
  • 2 cotton shorts
  • 1 textured shorts *optional

DRESSES

  • 3 work dress (to include a wrap dress)
  • 1 sundress
  • 1 sleeveless long dress
  • 2 short-sleeve short dresses
  • 1 sleeveless dress
  • 1 bandage dress

SWIMWEAR

  • 1 two piece bikini (preferable high waisted)
  • 1 one piece
  • 1 cover-up

SHOES

  • 2 pair of ballet flats in different colour
  • 1 pair of stilettos (preferable black)
  • 1 pair of work heels
  • 1 pair of topsiders
  • 1 platform slippers
  • 1 dressy thongs
  • 2 rubber beach slipper (one basic and one with straps)
  • 1 sneakers
  • 1 dressy slippers (glittery would be nice)

BAGS

  • 1 tote bag
  • 1 casual bag
  • 1 hand bag
  • 1 crossbody bag
  • 1 wristlet
  • 1 canvas bag
  • 1 beach bag
  • 1 work bag *optional
  • 1 backpack
  • 1 party clutch

ACCESSORIES

  • pearl stud earrings
  • diamond earrings
  • 2 chandelier earrings (one with pure gold)
  • 1 beach earrings
  • 1 silver hoops
  • pearl necklace
  • pendant necklace
  • layer necklace
  • statement necklace
  • gold stud earrings
  • 1 straight long earrings
  • 1 quirky earrings
  • 1 casual watch
  • 1 work/fancy watch
  • 2 bangles (gold and silver)
  • 1 bracelets with charms

I know this list looks exhaustive. But some people don’t realised how much dresses they have or dressy tops they have accumulating their closet. This list are most basics that are perfect for mix and match. All are well-thought of for specific occasions. Once I complete my capsule wardrobe, if I want to buy more from my list, I must either replace the one on my wardrobe or wait for it to be worn-out. This list are more for my own preference and lifestyle. If you create your own, it should reflect your own lifestyle. It may be shorter or longer than my list here.

Hope this will guide you when you create your own capsule wardrobe list.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: capsule wardrobe, list, Lists, minimalism

PRACTICING THE ART OF GRATITUDE EVERYDAY

July 25, 2018 by Little Miss Honey 657 Comments

Gratitude

We are often told to always be grateful and that we must practice the art of gratitude. When we were young, we are often ask, “What are the magic words?” after we are handed out something and our little young selves would readily reply, “Thank you!” But I came to realised now that I am older the words “Thank you” are indeed magical. That act of gratefulness was subtly engrained in us when we were young but we never understand how it is to be truly grateful.

I remember in my 2nd year high school Values Class, our teacher who is a nun, taught us the importance of Gratitude. She shared a story of a lady who practice it daily. The lady would thank God from the minute she woke up, from the beauty of the sun, the little blessings that she have in her life (that is often taken for granted by most people) up to the comforts of having a bed to sleep as the day closes. I was inspired by the story that I tried to be more grateful with all the little things that God has blessed me and appreciate everything that has been given to me. I sometimes would create a Gratefulness List after every month or sometimes I would enumerate the 3-5 things that I am grateful for that day. But of course from time to time, I would often forget practicing it and discontentment would set in.

But recently, during the last stages of my pregnancy and after I have given birth to Zeke, I started thinking about God’s blessings that he has generously bestowed upon my life. I felt like a spoiled horrible daughter who was showered with so much gifts by her loving forgiving Father. I felt ashamed and undeserving of all His love and generosity. So I started thanking God as much as I can. I started appreciating all of his blessings in my life. From the blessing of family, my wonderful healthy & loving kids, the opportunity to experience living in Singapore, the gift of employment, genuine & supportive friends, the wellness of my family back home, the beautiful scenery of Singapore, being able to blog & to earn from it and all the many little wonderful gifts God has given me. I realised I was given so much blessing that I have no right to complain about little discomforts like back pain from carrying heavy bags with breastmilk pumping paraphernalia, long tiring walks to & fro work,unruly kids, and all the grumbles that didn’t fit in my fairy tale concept of what life should be. Humans are predisposed to have a bottomless desires so satisfaction & contentment are hard to chase.

Gratitude

So How Can We Practice Gratitude in Our Daily Lives?

Gratitude is not merely saying “Thank You!”. The spirit of gratefulness must go beyond the act of spitting out words that resembles being thankful. To be truly grateful, it must be part of you and your being would reflect the positive aura of gratitude.

First, we must Stop Complaining. Complaining goes against the principle of gratitude. How can you feel grateful if your brain and mouth are full of complains, from how hot the weather is, to not having enough money, to be unfortunate that you have insensitive workmates or how crowded the public transportation is and the list goes on. When we do that we encourage the bad vibe of discontentment. This would result in misery and not reap the benefits of gratitude.

Together with not complaining, we should also Look at the Good Side of Everything. Remember that lesson on seeing the glass half full and seeing the glass half empty. A thirsty person who is ungrateful and was given a glass of water would say, ” I am so damn thirsty, why would you just give me so little water to drink!” A thirsty person who practice gratitude would say to the person who gave him water, “Wow! I needed this so badly. I love that it is super chilled. ” followed by a sincere “Thank you!” See the difference? Both were given the same amount of water but their reactions differ. The grateful one even appreciated that he was given a cold drink. I assumed the ungrateful one wouldn’t even noticed the water handed to him was chilled.

Grateful people often Smile. Grateful people are happy people because they feel blessed. They don’t see nor acknowledged the lack but they focused on the abundance. Because of their radiant glow from being grateful, they attract positivity and abundance in their lives. Hence, there will be more thanksgiving which would result to more abundance. What a wonderful cycle to be in, right?Who wouldn’t like to smile with that? Some people would call them lucky. But in reality, it is just due to the simple act of gratitude.

Another habit that grateful people have is Acknowledging the Blessings or Creating a Gratefulness List. I try my best to practice this but truly grateful people have this habit down pat. Some, at the end of the day, would have a Prayer of Thanksgiving to God for all the blessings they received throughout the day. They would enumerate the blessings they have received. Some do it in the morning upon waking where they say all the things they are grateful for as they start their day. Some like me who likes making lists, would write down the things we are grateful for, either by the end of the day, start of the morning or after every end of the week or after every end of the month.

Lastly, because you are grateful for having so much (when in fact for an ungrateful person, they think you are crazy for thinking you have so much), you have this urge to Give Back. People who practice gratitude would have this nagging urge to give back because they feel they need to share it. So monetary-wise and depending on your faith, you can practice tithing. Based in the bible, it is the practice of giving 10% of your earnings to God. And often when you tithe, blessings come back ten-folds. You can donate it in a religious sect or a charity organisation of your choice. You can also give extra money to your family members who are not financially stable or your elderly parents who does not have any source of income. But make sure that this generosity should not encourage laziness or complacency among family members and relatives that are healthy, young and capable to find a source of income for themselves. You can also sponsor underprivileged children or persons that may need your help in their education, necessities, etc.

The act of giving back doesn’t only mean giving money. You can give back by volunteering your time and skills to good causes and charitable events. You can tutor kids who aren’t able to go to school. Offering your help in medical missions would be awesome way of giving back. You can assess what your talents are. Say you are a good singer, join the church choir. Say you are a good cook, you can look for feeding programs where you can cook for the poor. Giving back can be as easy as offering help to a frail old lady to carry her heavy grocery bags as you were both going up the bus or offering your seat to an elderly man in the train.

Be a blessing to others and in turn, blessings will be given to you unexpectedly. Good begets good. Positivity begets positivity. It is how it works. I realised if I am more thankful with the things that I have, more wonderful things come. When I complain more, allowing discontentment & negativity to set in and operating in a sense of lack, blessings & opportunities are taken away.

So, let us all try to practice the art of gratitude. Let us be thankful that we are given a life to live, a world as our playground, a variety of people that we can choose to be our playmates in this funny world and resources to enjoy. To those who read this article, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel blessed that I get to share this realisation with you.

Filed Under: Inspirations Tagged With: Gratefulness, Gratitude, Gratitude List, Lists, minted, positivity, tips


Hi I'm Honey! I am a Filipina who has studied & lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years, worked in Singapore and is currently based in Oman with my husband & our three little boys. I am a medical doctor, a lifestyle blogger, travel junkie, a foodie and a bookworm. I hope I can drizzle a bit of sunshine and inspirations whenever you drop by my blog. Thanks for dropping by! See ya soon.. :)
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