Yearly Archives: 2009

New Year On The Table

New Year at home or traditions on welcoming the new year and some oddities at home but how about New Year at the table?

They say that practicing some traditions can really bring you good luck the coming year. The most famous and most practiced table tradition is putting 13 kinds of  ROUND fruits in the table. I remember last year that even rare fruits (as long as it is round) are being old in the market. Even fruits that are not ripe or fruits that you cannot use afterward, are sold at unreasonable price. It was crazy but well, there is no harm in trying. The fruits signifies the months in the coming year and the extra one for extra luck. It promises good luck all year long, from January to December.

Another cool addition to your centerpiece are bowl of coins. I am not quite sure why but my in laws are very religious in doing this. Others also put some sticky candies as it signifies the relationship of the family in the coming year, stickier, the better. Got any? We would love to hear more suggestions on how to make or house luckier this coming year.

HAPPY 2010!

New Year At Home

It was  a tradition in my grandmothers house (I was my grandmother’s apprentice when it comes to house keeping, you will be hearing a lot of her here) is to spend New Year with all the lights on. I can’t remember the exact reason why but they say it can bring good luck. And I know you are looking for things that will help you in welcoming 2010 in the best and luckiest way.

Aside from jumping when the clock strikes twelve, my relatives used to throw out coins as a way of welcoming the new year. We, the kids, would enjoy picking them up. Then after that they would tell us to hunt down coins anywhere in the house. We would look around for coins and have fun doing so. They say that this can help you or will make your year full of money.

Another must do before the new year comes is to make sure that all the containers are full. The coffee container should have enough coffee. The jar with sugar should be filled. Even the rice dispenser should be over flowing with rice (of course). And there should be no dirty laundry (or minimal) on the laundry bin. I think it make sense a bit. Keeping your house organize at the start for the year is not an assurance that it will be organized the whole year but it is a good start.

Merry Christmas House

As I have said earlier, I did not indulge in decorating the house this season. I just put some garlands on our stair case and some on our window.I cannot put up the Christmas Tree as early (or as late) as today as Chico would tear it down. I will put it tomorrow, before Noche Buena.

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So far that’s what I got here, some garlands and balls on the stairs and the Christmas socks I sew last year. Though I already got four kids now, I was too busy to sew another sock. Santa will understand (I hope). But the kids loved it and now they call our house a Merry Christmas House.

Christmas Decors Suggestions

Red and Green again? A dash of gold won’t make any difference. You feel like you have been seeing this color every year and finally you decided to make a change. Pastels are a nice choice. Colors in shades of green and pink are a god combination. It might not look very Christmas but you can re use the decors, making it the most practical choice.

For this season and maybe two more Christmas, it seems that metallic gold and silver are gaining popularity. You can pair it with vibrant color like purple or lilac. You can also pair it with green. You can try decorating your staircase with garlands, balls in metallic gold and silver and then add small flowers in different shades of purple.

I wish I can share a pic for you but I did not have the chance to buy new decorations this year as I gave birth to my baby girl last November. And so we have to be contented with our red and green theme.

How To Pack Things Neatly

So you have decided to move out of your place and look for another one. You can’t wait to pack because you can’t wait to move. If only some else would do it for you, life would be easier. You are as busy as bee, working 8 hours a day, traveling 4 hours a day. With that schedule, how can you start packing. Weekends are your only time to do your laundry and rest for a while. So now you are planning to take a leave from work but can you afford it?

Actually, you don’t have to take a leave, all you need to do is pack slowly. Basically there are three stages in pacing your things. The first being done weeks before your move out day. The second where you have to pack days or one week before the big day. The last stage which is hours before a truck pick your things.

Stage 1. As mentioned above, you have to do this weeks in advance. Pack things that have been sitting on your shelf and gathering dust. This are the things that you haven’t used for more than a month already. While you’re at it, look for things that feels good to give to somebody else or would look better in the trashcan. Things like books, old clothes, some of your bedsheets and blankets belongs to this stage. Other things like wall decorations, pictures frames, diplomas, your special wares also belongs here. If you are like me who already have kids, their toys (that they no longer use but still of good quality) should also be pack weeks ahead.

Stage 2. Things like your clothes (other than those that you will wear for a week) should be packed a week before you move out. Things that you use but you can last a week without them are included here. What are those things? Shoes, bags, accessories are the likes. Electronics that you can live without for a week is another thing.At this point you should have readied some boxes for stage 3 packing.

Stage 3. Hours or night before leaving is your last chance to do packing. These are things that you use everyday like the clothes you left from stage 2. Your laptop, your aircon or your fan. Your stoves and your wares. All the things that are left should now land on the box you already prepared from stage 2.

You have to keep in mind, before starting packing your things, that you have to LABEL each and every box you fill. For example, you have to put where in the house that box belongs and what are the contents. If you put wares on box, its label should be, KITCHEN, wares. Things for the bedroom should be named as such. Boxes where you put your clothes should also be labeled. It would be more helpful for you if your clothes are sorted out. Brassieres in one box or in a plastic, shirts are folded with each other, jeans are together and so on. Glass wares should be wrapped in newspaper to prevent damage.

Stage 1 can be done if you would spend about 30 minutes a day. Maybe you can try to sort your clothes first then the next day your bedsheets and the likes. The next week focus on your displays and your books and documents.Next, next, how about your kitchen. I tell you, you will love.