Do More With Less this Holiday season

2015 will be remembered by many Filipinos as the year when we witness how small things made big impacts to our lives.

Who can forget that simple kilig smile and pabebe wave that launched the phenomenal AlDub love team and spread good vibes all over the world (not to mention the dozens of TV ads that we will definitely see until next year or who knows until when). Or how about the struggling indie film outfit that defied the highly commercialized local showbiz industry and produced the bio pic Heneral Luna that made history in the box-office. Or how can you move on from the thousands of viral memes that we pass around online and even in our everyday conversations which were basically derived from just about any ordinary thing around us. I’m talking about the very clever and creative #hugot lines, of course (Kung hindi mo agad nakuha. What’s new? Kaya nga hanggang ngayon e umaasa ka pa rin).

Talking about hugot moments (which are even more relevant this Christmas season when most of us find this time perfect to reflect on the year that is about to bid goodbye), here are some tips, amusing they may seem, that may help you survive the holiday rush this year and beyond even if you only have less to do more.

CONSERVE ENERGY. Almost every home takes pride on how beautiful their Christmas trees are during this most wonderful time of the year.  We want our tree to be the brightest and most colorful it can possibly be. Just don’t sleep at night with those Christmas lights still turned on not only to conserve energy but also to avoid accidents in case a power outage or electrical wiring issue. Besides, true beauty comes out from simplicity.

SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY. We become more generous and thoughtful individuals during the Yuletide season. We spend more money during December than any month of the year (unless your a politician, of course). But have you ever thought of spending more time with your family and loved ones? You have filled your IG and FB wall with photos of your company and weekend getaway with friends, I hope you can “insert” in your loaded schedule a family “we time” before you realize your baby is already a lady.

MAKE A SHOPPING LIST... AND KEEP IT. How many times did you go home from the mall asking yourself why you bought something you don’t even need. We sometimes tend to purchase stuff when we see them marked as “SALE” which eventually will end up in the attic or under your bed for a looooooooonnnnngggg time. A wise shopper has a list of people whom he/ she will buy a present. A wiser shopper will keep that list until the gifts are all given to the recipients. For sure, you also have moments that a person visited your home and you can’t find his gift because you already gave it to someone else, accidentally or purposely. That small piece of paper called “the list” can help you avoid this from happening again.

Image credit: how-to-recycle.blogspot.com

RECYCLE. You received gifts, big and small in the most colorful papers, bags and boxes. What do you do with the gift wrappers? If you can be just that careful in unwrapping gifts, you can re-use the papers to wrap your own gifts or find other uses like ornaments for DIY Christmas decors and making lanterns. By doing this, you lessen the clutter in your house while saving some money. This would also be a good start to initiate recycling in your home. I’m sure you’re aware that plastic containers of mineral water, softdrinks, cooking oil and newspaper can be sold. Start this coming January and by December next year, you might be surprise of how much you have earned.

IT’S BETTER TO RE-HEAT FOOD THAN TO SPOIL IT. During Christmas and New Year’s eves, our dining tables will be turned like buffet platforms like those we see in restaurants. But yours has a much better deal because everyone can eat for FREE. It’s a sure thing that you’ll have bowls of leftovers from your feasts and more plate-full delicacy from your neighbors. If you have plastic containers, keep food that won’t easily spoil like lechon and adobo and just reheat them. You don’t have to cook for the next 2-3 days and you will stilll have a happy tummy. Trust me, our Electrolux microwave oven has been a great companion it situation like this in more than three years now.

Indeed, the holiday season brings the that one of a kind joy that we only experience during this time of the year. It’s up to us how we will make the moment more magical. One sure way is to do more with less. Wishing everyone a blessed and fruitful 2016!

This blog post is in support of the #DoMoreWithLess advocacy led by Electrolux Philippines.

Astig Deals at Scholastic Christmas Warehouse Sale

What do Harry Potter, Nancy Drew and Katniss Everdeen have in common?

Well aside from the fact that they are all fictional characters who have their own movies, all of their books are currently on sale. 

Where? 

It’s at the Scholastic’s “The Big Christmas Blowout Warehouse Sale” which started last November 17 and will run until December 23, 2015. This exciting event, which has definitely wiggled every bookworm who has heard of the news, is happening from 9:00am to 6:00pm at the Grolier Scholastic Warehouse located at 70 C. Raymundo Ave., Rosario, Pasig City.

What to expect?

Tons of books for as low as P20 each. The discounts offered just entered the crazy sale category because some of them are almost free with an 80% slash from the original price. If you are into audio books, there is a 50% off waiting for you.

Why books?

I’m pretty sure that you are fully aware that many kids nowadays are more interested of the latest video games than any Dr. Seuss classic title. We all know how important books are in the developing years of a child. Aside from the gift of reading, books widen every reader’s imagination. Of course, there are learning apps available online but in can never replace the experience of flipping pages, the scent of printed paper and quietly siting while reading without the sometimes a bit annoying sounds of the digital version or app-based reading materials.

Here’s a quick tour of the very clean warehouse where accommodating and knowledgeable staff are more than willing to assist you with your queries. I hope you’ll find a book for you, your children, friends, and love ones as holiday present. Merry Christmas and a Happy Reading New Year! 

Who wants a Christmas Date with Yaya Dub?

Had an opportunity to sit beside the VIC (Very Important Comedian) and Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas during the blogger's conference for the movie My Bebe Love. If only Yaya Dub was there, things might have been dub-ble the fun.

If there is one woman, aside from my wife, who I want to spend Christmas with this year, it’s definitely Maine Mendoza, Yaya Dub, Meng or whatever term endearment every Kalye Serye loving guy want to call her.

Who is not mesmerized by Maine? Even people from the “other side of the fence” were not spared of this amazing she. How can you not? You see her every TV commercial break, along main roads, on your Facebook feed and even in the eyes of your mother-in-law who seems to be in good vibes since June this year.

Now, I am supposed to be very excited about the latest Star Wars installment since I dream of being a Sith Lord when I was young. But I have to postpone my crave for Hans Solo, Chewbacca and R2-D2 ‘till January next year because my movie budget this December will be for Yaya Dub’s first movie. Well, my family already booked a hotel room on the 24th so we will be first in line when the mall opens. Btw, our hotel is in front of the mall so as early as breakfast time, so we can already plan the best way we can maneuver our way to the entrance.

Now going back to the movie of our beloved Meng, she will be paired to that guy who will always make us question if life is fair every time we see him--- Alden Richards. Imagine this: the undisputed Philippine box-office king of comedy Vic Sotto and box-office queen Ai-Ai delas Alas will join forces with the newest record-breaking, phenomenal loveteam Aldub in one groundbreaking movie during the holiday season.

Now that makes this movie more appropriate to have the sub-title “The Force Awakens.”

I am not Nostradamus but “My Bebe Love: Kilig Pa More!” is going to make a killing at the box-office and set higher heights in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) History.

Now, who wants to date Yaya Dub this Christmas? Count me in.