Contest #62 Entry: To Travel or To Stay Home during the Holidays

Hello, Hive! This is the first time I’m joining a challenge on Hive. I’ve been around here for roughly six months, but I never got to join challenges. I hope that this would be the first one that would spark the many to come.

So, here’s the question I have chosen:

Do you like to travel during the holidays, or stay close to home?

I have never traveled during the Christmas Holidays. What we usually do is stay at a grandparent’s house. Sometimes, it was with my paternal grandparents but for years now, I’ve been spending the holidays in my maternal grandparent’s house. Even the last two years that I was already married, we spent Christmas with my grandmother and my siblings. My grandparents’ house had been my home when I was younger as my Mom worked abroad and we didn't have our own house when I was a kid.

Anyway, aside from me, my siblings, and grandparents, my aunts and cousins would also sometimes spend Christmas together in my grandparents’ house. During those times, Christmas was the merriest. As they say, the more, the merrier.

I'm pretty sure most Filipino families spend their Christmas this way, with their extended families. It's one of our best traditions. Hopefully, this persists despite the pandemic and the constant migration of our fellowmen. As most of my relatives moved abroad, we became fewer every Christmas. We were lucky last year that my Mom got to spend Christmas with us despite the pandemic.

Anyway, years back, when the family was complete for Christmas, my Mom and her siblings would prepare a sumptuous feast and we’d play a handful of games. We'd have the traditional ham, cheese, wine, and fruit salad. I'd help my Mom make mango ref cake. Our dear Ate Mel would make crispy pata (crispy pork leg), lechon kawali (deep fried crispy belly), grilled pork belly, and other family favorites that scream heart disease. There were times we'd even have chocolate fondue or a gingerbread house.

Then, my aunt, the family's designated Santa Claus, would host games with generous prizes. Some of our neighbors who have been like family would join. We'd usually play Bingo. It's a game based on luck, but everyone would be strangely competitive. Some would even try to cheat but they'd get caught anyway. Afterward, we'd go near the Christmas tree and my aunt would throw coins for everyone to catch. My aunt would also fill our Christmas tree with ampaos. Each ampao contained a bill ranging from P20 to P500. That's the game we'd all be waiting for. Of course, everyone wanted to get the P500 bill. I'd never been lucky enough to pick it. My luck had only brought me P20. But my sister had been born with a boatload of luck, she had won the P500 bill twice, I believe.

We're all lucky to have our aunt, who would graciously share her blessings with the family. Aside from sponsoring games, good food, and liquor, she'd make sure everyone was having fun. I never really got to tell her how thankful I am for everything she's done for the family.

Of course, it won't also be as fun without my other relatives. I get to be with my cousins whom I grew up with. We'd sing without care even if we're off-tuned, and we'd laugh at the simplest things, which are usually silly remarks from my grandmother. We'd play with our adorable younger cousins, whom we only get to see occasionally, but we’d always treat them like siblings. Lastly, together we’d open our gifts beneath the Christmas tree. Those were joyous times with loved ones.

So, back to the question. Well, as you may have guessed, I prefer staying close to home during the holidays. Traveling would be expensive. That would mean that we won't be able to bring the whole brood with us. Those who don't have enough budget for the trip won't be able to join. My grandmother, who's already old and sickly, would get very tired if we choose to travel. Our neighbors whom we bicker with during Bingo time won’t be there. Lastly, we won’t be able to open our gifts together. Over the years, I’ve learned that the Holidays mean spending quality time with the people who matter. For me, no spectacular mountain or beach can replace them.

Merry Christmas! I hope you get to spend the Holidays with loved ones.

Hi, @moonguuu, you probably don’t know me, but I’ve seen your intro post around HivePH. I used to study at your university, but I transferred to another school in my 2nd year. You’re actually the only one I know here from UST. Anyway, I’d like to invite you to join this community. By the way, welcome to Hive! Enjoy your stay here :)