UNIQUE GIFTS

The Christmas rush is past - the decors neatly wrapped and tucked away, gifts have all been opened with all the wrappings thrown away... but I would like to make my one last post for Christmas 2007 just to share with you the little things I gave away to friends and co-workers.

You see not everyone is blessed with lots of money to buy pretty gifts and it seems kinda awkward to always be just on the receiving end of gift-giving when Christmas really is all about showing someone how much you have appreciated them all these years.

Thus, in my own little way [and meager government employee budget] I still managed to give away the following little tokens of appreciation:

For little kids, I gave away these little beaded coin purses which takes me about two hours to make.... but since I am only able to do this when I get home from work (usually while I am watching my telenovelas) I am only able to do one each night. Often, when I help my kids with their assignments I don't get the chance to do anything at all. So I was only able to complete about 20 coin purses this Christmas which I was able to give away to cutesy nieces and even daughters of friends.

For teenaged nieces and lady friends, I had a choice between cellphone holders or cosmetic cases made in varying colors. I had to take pains to find out which is their fave color so that I know they would really be able to use the ones I made for them.

The gifts for our bosses I did not really make. Instead, I had my mother-in-law whip out her secret recipe for atsara which I then placed in red bowls, wrapped in sinamay, tied with a red ribbon and voila! A truly delicious and unique gift which they'd hopefully appreciate (well, if they eat atsara, that is!)

Finally, for some friends and co-workers, I baked some muffins and cookies which I then placed in red boxes or in pretty Christmas themed square plates, wrapped in cling paper and tied up with a gold ribbon. The gifts do not really cost me much - only my time, patience and a whole lot of love... just my own little way of showing how much I care...