Our Simple Christmas Celebration

CHRISTMAS is all about love,

Family and children.

It does not matter what we eat

or what present we got

As long as the holidays

Spent with loved ones.

The year 2020 has not been good for the majority of us, full of challenges and uncertainty, but we should look back with gratitude and look forward with hope. Despite of, Christmas, can never be cancelled! It is the most special time of the year; time to celebrate with the family.

Our Christmas was very simple though meaningful, we had an amazing chance to attend the last day of 9-day “Simbang Gabi” (Night Masses) on Christmas Eve with the family. Honestly, we have not been going to church for almost 10 months due to this Covid 19 because the church was complying also with all the health protocols and Diocesian guidelines. So, on one hand, I couldn’t take my daughter with me to go to our church as per church guidelines. But on the 24th of December, everything’s went well. Though, there were strict guidelines to follow and there were ministers kept reminding us to observe physical/social distancing. Many devotees were attending (but manageable) for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, only 3 persons were allowed per church pew. Prior to the Evening Mass, we had our dinner with my brother’s house and we had a simple Noche Buena after.

We only had two traditional Filipino food on Christmas Eve, pancit palabok and bibingka. What’s the most important, we were complete, happy and healthy.

It is a delicious noodle dish topped with shrimp gravy, shrimp, smoked fish flakes, pork cracklings, and eggs.
Perfect as a light meal or snack.

Bibingka is made out of rice flour and coconut milk cooked in this specialized clay pot function like oven, lined with banana leaf over a charcoal positioned both on top and the bottom as the heat source.
It is usually eaten for breakfast and the ultimate Christmas treat!

Meanwhile, my husband and I agreed that night (Christmas eve) to push through the plan we had a few weeks ago to cook a lunch on Christmas Day for our family, relatives near with us. We wanted to share the blessings that we had received this 2020. We are so much blessed for giving us our daughter; comfort, joy, love and peace as to be grateful and thankful for. Also, we wanted kids to know the importance of the family as it is the main pillar of support and love; and by this gathering it further shape a family’ s identity.

It has been just a simple gathering with our loved ones, but we put an extra effort because we were both not a good cook to prepare a lunch for them.😀

Binakol na manok or chicken binakol is a classic Filipino chicken soup with coconut juice, spinach, papaya, ginger, lemon grass, fish sauce, onion and garlic.
Hearty and tasty…perfect for cold weather!

Embutido is a meatloaf prepared Filipino style made from ground pork with shredded carrots, onions, garlic, bell pepper, sweet pickle relish and raisins; egg and sausage filling to make it special.
Perfectly delicious with rice for everyday meals or special occasions!

Lumpiang shanghai is a Filipino style spring roll made of ground pork filling wrapped in a thin crepe (lumpia wrapper) along with minced carrots, onions, and seasonings.

Lechon kawali or Crispy deep-fried pork made of pork belly seasoned beforehand, simmered until tender and deep fried until golden and crisp. It is nice to have a dipping sauce!

Fish Kinilaw  is a raw fish salad made of fresh Fish mixed with vinegar, onion, garlic, salt and pepper and in addition of Calamansi Juice.

Lastly, we only had Home Made Oreo and Mango Graham ice cream from a friend for our desert.

The only photo I could share during our lunch, some were not comfortable with the camera, I hope I could show them on my future posts.

That was our Christmas Celebration, simple yet meaningful and special.