It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This year I will spend the Christmas holidays here in Cambodia because of work. I’m a little sad because last year I had a good holiday; Kimrun even went with me to Manila. And this year it looks like I will be doing field work during Christmas day itself (ugh!). I, however, do not like to think of that yet. There are, after all, more important matters at hand. Like, setting and trimming my old Christmas tree.

Last year I set up and trimmed my tree even if I spent the holidays in Manila. My color scheme was silver-pink-purple. When I arrived in Manila our Christmas decorations used the gold-red color scheme, which I liked. Drawing inspiration from that, I decided on a white-silver-red color scheme this year (I’m not particularly fond of gold). I looked at the stuff I had last year, visited the local stationary shop, and bought some new things. When I visited HoJ (the home of Mz Joy & Mz Lou–as known to the Filipinos who hang out there), Joy and I decided on an ex-deal. Her tree is sporting pink-purple decor this year and she had lots of white-silver stuff from last year so I proposed borrowing her blingy white decor in exchange for my pink-purple stuff. I wanted red lights only so I borrowed some from Nill, who had loads from an event he organized months ago.

On Saturday I set up the tree with the help of my housekeeper. I also put on the red Christmas lights on the trunk of the tree because I wanted the tree to sort of glow from within. But I felt sad at the prospect of decorating my tree alone. Then an idea came to me: why not make this an occasion to have friends over? I can prepare food and we can all have fun eating and trimming my tree. So I set in on Monday afternoon and sent the invitation through SMS on Monday morning. I prepared chicken Arroz Caldo with Tokwa’t Baboy (Tofu & Pork).

By early evening Hav & Ted, Wowie, Nill, Gaye, and Jojo arrived. We decided to eat first. After eating, the group set to work like good little elves. I christened them Santa Santita’s elves & fairies (Santa Santita, is of course, me)… 

Romyr, Eng, and Lou arrived soon after and joined the festivities after eating. While working, I also played the new Hairspray film for a healthy boost in positive energy. By 9PM all the balls were tied, and nearly all of them have been hung on the tree. Ted brought out the mahjong set and he, Nill, Lou and Gaye played. I continued decorating the tree.

The party wrapped up at past 11PM. Alone again in the house, I looked at the finished tree and drew a breath of satisfaction. With the lights on, I achieved the effect I wanted to. The tree appeared to be glowing from within, while the crystal stuff and silver balls reflect and bounce the red light along. Against the red wall, the effect is close to spectacular. Now it’s really beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

And a big thank you to my friends who helped me. Much appreciated, dears!