by Greg Yu, 2023
In the Philippines, the Christmas season is something people eagerly look forward to every year.
Christmas is a time for gift-giving. It is a time for celebration. It is a time when people come home and spend time with their families, no matter how far they may be.
For me and my family, it’s no different. Growing up in a large and close-knit household, we have always taken our celebrations seriously—especially during the holidays. To us, it’s the perfect excuse to come together, share good food, and simply enjoy each other’s company. We would stay up on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, exchanging well wishes as the clock struck midnight.
Photo Source: https://thelasallian.com/2020/12/23/eat-drink-and-be-merry-deconstructing-the-noche-buena/
I've never missed our Christmas gatherings. In my 35 years, I have always been present for our family celebrations, for as long as I can remember. Some years, there were so many people that I could barely recognize half of them. Other years, the number of empty seats was noticeable. In recent years, many have stopped attending. Then came the pandemic, which put a complete halt to our reunions.
Despite this, our immediate family still held our own small celebrations during Christmas and New Year’s. The tradition lived on—but for me, not for much longer.
Since I’ll be getting married next year, my time will soon be divided between my family and my future wife’s. Her family consists of avid travelers who prefer to spend their holidays abroad. Becoming part of their family means I’ll be traveling with them as their tradition entails. However, this also means sacrificing time with my own family and being away from them during the season.
Christmas, from this year onward, will never be the same for me.
And yet, home isn’t really a question of where, is it? Home is a question of what, of who, and of how. Coming home during the holidays is about choosing who to spend my time with. Don’t get me wrong—I love my family. But my future wife’s family is also my family, and I love her dearly. Spending Christmas with her is a dream come true, as we’ve spent most of our past holidays apart.
Time spent with loved ones is at the heart of the holiday season. This is the time to create new memories while reminiscing about the past year. The holidays are about warmth—the warmth of family, the warmth of the people you hold most dear.
For me, Christmas moving forward won’t be about losing time with my family, but about gaining a new place to call home.
To those who have read this to the end, the entire Argos family and I wish you and your loved ones a radiant and meaningful holiday season!
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