Christmas Preparation This August

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by: Alvin and Queenie 

We only have last two weeks of August.

We usually plan ahead and start making our list
by unearthing our list of last year.

Here are easy steps for the upcoming Christmas Preparation.

1. Make a Christmas List. Christmas Buying and Christmas Wrapping. September is the best time to buy because the new stocks are already in store for the upcoming season.
2. Start planning the Menu.
3. Check which specific dates is the best for family gatherings.
Based on our experience, its after the 25th.
                                                          4. Simbang Gabi Preparations! Great to visit the different Catholic Churches to experience the Simbang Gabi with family and friends. Then take photos afterwards...  Typically each group at the Church prepares something, like hot chocolates and the famous rice cakes! Now we have two skeds (schedules) one early evening and the other early morning. So You can actually complete the nine days novena!
                                                          5. Family Triduum. This is an intense preparation for the family before the Christmas day itself.
                                                          6. Family Visits. This is crucial for couples as we have two extended families.  
                                                           Far-away relatives from other countries may visit this time of the year, so its best to already ask them if they are coming, so assisted preparations for lodgings and accommodations  is done well in the Philippines.  As we have more and more extended families nowadays reservations must be done early on.

                                                             Schedule of going for Confession before the Simbang Gabi to receive Our Lord Himself who is the celebrant...  This is to avoid the long queue in Confession hot spots, when families and families go for Confession. I hope the Archbishop and Bishops with the Parish Priests of each Diocese will do something about this by a systematic schedule inviting all families to go for confession before the Simbang Gabi, so the 24th December will go on smoothly.   This will also avoid unnecessary tension when the Priest is suddenly requested to hear confession.

                                                          7. Christmas decor and clothes for the whole family.

Aha! I know the upcoming All Saints Day will also need preparation. But Christmas is Christmas.
     
                               

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