December 22, 2021

How to Spend the Holidays at Home If You Have Kids

A few days before Christmas and here we go again, the holidays still look and feel different. It is another year of staying at home because we are still dealing with COVID19 issues. Although, the world is slowly opening up not all people have the vaccines yet especially the kids here in the Philippines so we have no choice but to adjust our holiday celebrations. 

There are some Christmas traditions that we still cannot do because of the restrictions like watching events, shows, or concerts. Watching movies on the big screen. Attending Christmas parties, reunions, or get together and most especially, spending the holiday in a different place or country.

Other people are busy planning and packing for their annual holiday, but here we are, we are not going anywhere. Our Christmas break is another staycation. I’m not bitter because one of the advantages of HOLISTAY is, it is more budget-friendly and less stressful. We have more time to relax, get more sleep, read a book or just do the things that we wanted to do but have no time. 

Stay-at-home vacation means we have more time for family bonding. And since the majority of us will spend the holidays at home, I’m sharing some ideas on how to spend the holidays at home especially if you have kids. 


Decorate Your Home 

I hope COVID19 won’t stop you from decorating your home for the holidays. We usually start as early as the first week of December so it will set our mood that Christmas is approaching. Kids and kids at heart love to put up Christmas tree and hang Christmas stockings. 

Make Holiday Ornaments or Decors 

If you love crafting or DIY projects, I highly suggest making holiday ornaments or decors. No need to buy new ornaments every year, you can upcycle, recycle, or use whatever materials you have at home. Pinterest would be your best friend when you need some inspiration. Our Christmas tree is a testament to the different ornaments that we did every year. 

Make Christmas Card 

Nowadays, Christmas cards seem to be a thing of the past but we still make and send Christmas cards especially to my mom who is across the miles. Like Melanie White says, “Sending Christmas cards is a good way to let your friends and family know that you think they’re worth the price of a stamp”

Wrapping and Delivering Holiday Gifts 

If you are dealing with a holiday rush, allow your kids to help you in wrapping or packing presents. If time permits, deliver or ship your gifts as early as possible. 

Baked Christmas Goodies 

Let us stop checking the weight loss calculator because “Calories don’t count on the holidays” so enjoy baking Christmas goodies with kids like gingerbread men, snowflake cookies, Christmas light sugar cookies, fruitcakes, and many more. The smell of the Christmas goodies will boost our holiday spirit. 

Movie Marathon 

Since we are not yet comfortable watching movies on the big screen. We are thankful for our Netflix subscription because we can binge-watch holiday movies every night. Some wholesome and popular movies are The Christmas Chronicles, Klaus, The Princess Switch, Jingle Jangle, The Grinch, and many more. 

Turn off the Technology 

Offline is a new luxury so turn off the technology and have a family bonding. Have a family game night and play board games or cards. Our favorites are Monopoly, Chess, and Uno cards. Toddlers and kids also enjoy reading time, take time to read Christmas stories or Bible stories. 

Kid’s Playtime 

Though offline is a good idea but remember, it is Christmas break so let your kids enjoy the holiday too. Let them play online games while you are busy preparing or cooking for the holiday menu. There are culinary-related online games that they can play too wherein they can learn about food, cooking, farming, culinary arts, restaurant business, and others. 

Make a Year in Summary Scrapbook or Photobook 

Pandemic or not, it is nice to end the year by writing a Highlight of the Year, creating a scrapbook, or printing a photobook. It is the best souvenir for the year and it is something that you can look back as the years go by. 

What are your favorite holiday activities with your kids?

December 18, 2021

Confirmation

Seven days to go and it’s already Christmas and I still don’t have holiday plans. Waah! But I don’t want to stress about it so I will just take one day at a time. So for now, let me lessen my endless backlogs. 

Four years ago my son had his First Communion and just a week ago, he already had his Confirmation. If there is no community quarantine, my son will have his Confirmation last year because this is part of their event in their school. But there is no news about it so when my friend informed me that there is Confirmation here in our place, I immediately informed my husband about it so he can register my son.

Even though I don’t fully understand the Sacrament of Confirmation, I know that it is a special event for my son so I still prepare something for this event. First is the Confirmation Cake Topper, this is just a layer of glitter and metallic cardstock. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use this cake topper because my son doesn’t want a cake. He prefers to eat leche flan and the topper is too big for the flan. Anyway, it is still a souvenir that I will keep. 


And because of the COVID19 scare, only one parent and godparent are allowed to attend the Confirmation so I was not able to witness my son’s Confirmation but in spirit, I am there. Since there is only one godparent, I DIY the Confirmation Souvenir


I just personalized this mug using Teckwrap color-changing vinyl (hot) and designed a Care Card Instruction and Confirmation Gift Tag. I found the message on Pinterest and I just recreated it. I edited this file so just in case you need a souvenir tag, feel free to download it here. (size is 3x3 inches). 

"To my Confirmation Sponsor,

Thank you for being my godparent. May God bless you for your commitment to walk with me on my special journey, leading by example when the path isn't clear, waiting for me when problems slow my pace and offering to fly with me when my spirit wants to soar. 

With love,"



I also make a card for my son, (the message is from Pinterest too). I did not buy a gift because I am taking a break from online shopping. I dislike delay delivery during Christmas Season so I just bought a gift at the mall after our celebration. 


"Confirmation is a time to remember the promises of God. He has said that He will always be there to guide us in every circumstance and to renew our faith when we are discouraged. He offers us the strength to overcome temptation and difficulties. Most of all. He has promised that He will always love us."




After the Confirmation, my husband fetched me and we had lunch at Kuya J. I have a gift voucher that I want to use so we ate here. It’s been a long time since we at Kuya J and I was surprised when I saw their menu because the food that I used to order, was no longer there. My husband ordered Crispy Pata PHP590, Pinakbet PHP210, Rice Platter PHP125, Iced Tea Pitcher PHP180, Leche Flan PHP75, and Kuya J Halo-Halo Espesyal (Original and Ube) PHP120.




December 17, 2021

12 Days of Christmas

In the season of giving, Creative Fabrica wanted to give back to their amazing crafting community by offering amazing deals and discounts. They are celebrating the end of the year with a bang and A LOT of freebies! For 12 days starting from 25th of December 2021 - 5th of January 2022, Creative Fabrica will launch… 

A new free bundle every single day  - 12 quality free bundles in total!  
Exclusive fonts for All Access Subscribers only!  
Mega Christmas sale on over 1 million fonts and designs on the website! 


12 quality free bundles every day, including some of the most popular designs and from popular designers on Creative Fabrica - everything including premium commercial license! 12 Days of Christmas is launching 25th of December. 

Each of the deals will be visible on the website on the day of the launch. 


December 25 Free Popular Crafts Bundle
December 26 Free Fonts Bundle 
December 27 Free Sublimation Design Bundle 
December 28 Free Graphics Bundle 
December 29 Free Quotes Bundle 
December 30 Free Popular Fonts and Graphics Bundle 
December 31 Free Popular Crafts Bundle 
January 1 Free Digital Paper and Clipart Bundle 
January 2 Free Fonts Bundle 
January 3 Free Popular Fonts and Graphics Bundle 
January 4 Free Fonts Bundle 
January 5 Free Valentine’s Craft Bundle


* This post contains affiliate links.

December 09, 2021

62nd Birthday

Life is always busy during the holiday season so it is not surprising that I haven’t blogged for two weeks. As the quote says, “If you see me less, I’m doing more”. I’m quite busy with my offline life and my Holiday To-Do List is not yet over. But I decided to take a break from crafting so I can blog. 

Last month, my mother-in-law celebrated her 62nd Birthday and I made this cake topper using metallic and glittered cardstock in rosegold shades. I just bought the Samantha Upright Script Font last Black Friday Sale so I immediately used it to design this cake topper. 



For our potluck, I told my husband to order at Illo’s Party Trays; if you read my birthday blog post, dito rin kami nag-order. We tried the Ricardo’s Menu Package so for a change, we ordered Annelle’s Treat. The menu package has 4 viands, rice, and cake. 


Annelle’s Treat PHP4,800 

Kare-Kare ni Lola Remy 
Crispy Pork Binagoongan 
Chicken Salpicao 
Fish Fillet with Special sauce 
Pandan Parsley Rice 
Cake of your choice 


We paid an additional PHP150 because we chose Tiramisu Love for the cake. My husband paid (online banking) and picked up the order as early as 9:00AM for our brunch celebration because my mother-in-law has dialysis after. 







Our potluck was a hit and my favorites are kare-kare and crispy pork binagoongan. Masarap yung bagoong nila. The tiramisu is just okay for me, I prefer the version of Contis and Cafe Mary Grace.  

* This post contains affiliate links.
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