The Random Bibliophile

by Renee Alexis

Renee Alexis
20-something Filipina, an introvert who loves young adult fiction, brush pens, Taylor Swift, and BTS. Coffee runs in my bloodstream.

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2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Renee Alexis has read 0 books toward her goal of 30 books.
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What Christmas Means to Me (and things I love about it)

It's finally Christmas Eve eve and I am so happy to be where I am right now!

Last night, my family and I traveled to my mom's hometown (Zamboanga City) to spend the holidays with her side of the family. We just arrived this morning at 3, and even though the 10-hour trip was tiresome, getting to see the happy faces of my grandfather and uncles after so many years made the entire bus trip worth it.

I have always loved Christmas. It's one of my (if not the most) favorite time of the year. Since 2009, I have spent this season with my father's side of the family, doing almost the same things year after year. Now that I'm here, I realized a change of scenery was just what my mom needed after all the tough times we've encountered this year, so I am particularly grateful that this trip had really pushed through. 😄

This season, I am hoping that it will be everything I've dreamt up for my family. It doesn't have to be extravagant or anything, I just want it to be festive and full of joy. I want to have new memories I could treasure for the days to come. I want it to mean something, to be forever remembered. Because that's what Christmas is all about right? The number of material things you receive doesn't really count if you don't have the spirit of giving, of loving, of sharing. No amount of gifts can satisfy your soul if you don't have one in the first place. 😉

A Reflection about Christmas and my favorite things about it

Christmas has lots of meaning to every person. As for me, I've thought up of what it means to me and I came up with a dozen! Allow me to enumerate them.

Christmas is a symbol of hope, and of happiness; a season of giving, of kindness, of gratitude, of loving, of sharing, and of spending quality time with loved ones and family. It's a time for modesty, for reflection of how your year went, and for goal-setting for the upcoming year. And then, of course, the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Some of you may not be believers, but I am born and raised a Christian and I do believe in God.)



Now, let's go to the things I love about Christmas. Why do I like this holiday so much? What makes it so special? Why does it make me excited and giddy? Well, here's a list:
  1. So many SALES!
    This has to be the first thing on my list because, hello?!, who doesn't love sales? Really, who doesn't??? I went overboard online shopping this month because the sales and promos on several online shops were insane! Thank the heavens for inventing online shopping, made my gift shopping more convenient. 😁
  2. Yummiest Season of all
    Do I need to elaborate on this more? 😂
  3. You can eat, guilt-free.
    Yep, you read that right, guilt-free. Never the mind that diet, you are allowed to indulge in your favorite treats once in a while! Just be sure not to overeat! 😂
  4. You can play Christmas songs all day, every day
    No more people looking weird at you while singing your lungs out on that Mariah Carey tune. You go, self! *cue in All I Want for Christmas* ♪
  5. Gift giving and gift receiving!
    Don't tell me I'm the only one who enjoys this? Because I'm sure you like this bit, too. As much as I love giving gifts to my favorite people, I also love receiving them! 😛
  6. Christmas Break
    This might not happen to those who are already working, but I was fortunate enough to have a 2-week vacation so I'm spending it as much as I can! Last year was the first time I spent my Christmas and New Year away from family, so I am just ecstatic to be home this year. 😊
  7. Spending the holiday with the family
    This is my favorite among all that I've listed. Nothing else matters when you get to celebrate the advent season with your loved ones. ❤
  8. Celebrating the Birth of Jesus
    Last but definitely not the least, we must not forget that this season commemorates the coming of Jesus. My family and I always go to the midnight mass to hear the homily. It gives me the ultimate Christmas Spirit before we go home to have the Christmas Eve Dinner and enjoy the rest of the night. 

How are your holidays coming? A few more hours now till Christmas! I hope you're with your families and loved ones, but if you aren't, I hope you will still have a merry Christmas. 😊

Happy Christmas, everybody! May your days be merry and bright ❤


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