LadiesofHive #59 Challenge. - Family Traditions
Hello to the wonderful Ladies Of Hive. I hope all of you are doing well.
I chose the subject: The holidays are all about tradition. What is your most cherished family holiday tradition? Tell us about it, how it came to be, and why it's special to you
There are different Christmas traditions being practiced in different countries and different families.
For our family it is just a simple one. I have five sons and they would know that Christmas is approaching when they see me starting to decorate our house with Christmas decors like christmas lights adorning our window, a make shift christmas tree using plants. When they were still kids we just celebrate it with a simple meal like spaghetti their favorite, fried chicken, leche flan, fruit salad, cakes and fruits . We make it a point to wake them up before midnight gather them on the table, bless the food and then eat our small feast which we call "noche buena"(Filipino Christmas Eve feast) here in our country. Then on Christmas morning we go to church to attend mass. My children would be excited to go to mass because they can now wear their new clothes specially for this occasion. I call this "showing off" to other kids their new clothes. After the mass we would head to our brother's house so that our children can kiss the hands of their uncle and aunt as a sign of respect. After paying respect to the family my children are now headed to their ninangs (godmother) and ninongs (godfather) for their gifts. I think this is the most special event that the children are waitting for, a visit to their ninongs and ninangs for their goodies and presents. Then they will compare the gifts they had received and who has the highest money received.
When my sons grew up the tradition became somewhat different. We still have our "noche buena" but after eating they will now leave the house and go to their own parties and friends. On Christmas day we still attend mass ,eat breakfast and after eating my children will be on their way to their own activities.
Now that my sons have their own families Christmas time is what I've been waiting for. Because it is the time for me to have my family to be reunited and I got to see all my grandchildren. I still cook their usual favorites like spaghetti, pansit (popular filipino dish, noodles with meat and vegetable), fruit salad, leche flan, ube halaya(purple yam), fried chicken, ham, hotdogs, bread, cakes which we eat on our "noche buena". The same favorites when they were still kids. After eating it is now time for exchange gifts and gift giving. Of course this is the one that the children have been waiting for. And it is so nice to seeing happy faces after receiving their gifts.
On Christmas day my eldest son will prepare different games for the children and a prize will be given to the winner. It was fun watching the kids trying to win each game so that they can have the prize. After the games then it would be the time for the elders to celebrate. We will have our videoke while the brothers are drinking beer together with their wives. It is also the time for them catching up with each others lives.
For me Christmas tradition is being with your love ones which is your Family, eating together even if is is a simple feast, singing together, laughing together, enjoying each others company which is a priceless memory for us. Just seeing my family reunited once a year is the best gift that I can ask for.
Looking back, the simple Christmas tradition we had when they were still children are still being practiced up to this day with some modifications by my sons to their own families.
Thank you all for taking the time reading my Christmas tradition. Hope all off you will have a wonderful Christmas.
Greetings from the Philippines!
I'm inviting 
photo credit to Canva