Noche Buena & Media Noche
2009 is already fast approaching.. And people will be busy preparing again for the celebration of the New Year. Here in the Philippines, during Christmas eve, we had the much-anticipated Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast. Usually, family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (ball of cheese), Tsokolate (a hot chocolate drink) and jamon (ham). Some would also open presents at this time.
But ours was quite different. We had lechon, cake, spaghetti, fruit salad, grilled fish and some goodies :) We dined earlier, of course, but opened the gifts at 12 midnight, with my daughter (the little helper) distributing the gifts because Santa (my mom) was quite exhausted.
December 25, Christmas Day, is considered a Family Affair. We stayed overnight at my mom's house on the 24th, together with my siblings and their wives, and on the 25th, we had dinner at my in-laws house but went home afterward.
On December 31, New Year's Eve, Filipino families gather again for the Media Noche or midnight meal – a feast that is also supposed to symbolize hopes for a prosperous New Year. And yeah, we are going to my mom's place again on the 31st and at my in-laws place on January 1st.
In spite of the yearly ban on firecrackers, some people here still see these as the traditional means to greet the New Year. The loud noises and sounds of merrymaking are not only meant to celebrate the coming of the New Year but are also supposed to drive away bad spirits. But boy, oh boy! We are so hating it! I hate the loud noise (my daughter is scared of it!), I hate the smell and to think this would create danger, too! Fireworks are okay, though, because it's nice to see and it's quite harmless, too...
Anyways, this is what usually happens here in our place. I would love to know what takes place during the New Year at your end, too..
But ours was quite different. We had lechon, cake, spaghetti, fruit salad, grilled fish and some goodies :) We dined earlier, of course, but opened the gifts at 12 midnight, with my daughter (the little helper) distributing the gifts because Santa (my mom) was quite exhausted.
December 25, Christmas Day, is considered a Family Affair. We stayed overnight at my mom's house on the 24th, together with my siblings and their wives, and on the 25th, we had dinner at my in-laws house but went home afterward.
On December 31, New Year's Eve, Filipino families gather again for the Media Noche or midnight meal – a feast that is also supposed to symbolize hopes for a prosperous New Year. And yeah, we are going to my mom's place again on the 31st and at my in-laws place on January 1st.
In spite of the yearly ban on firecrackers, some people here still see these as the traditional means to greet the New Year. The loud noises and sounds of merrymaking are not only meant to celebrate the coming of the New Year but are also supposed to drive away bad spirits. But boy, oh boy! We are so hating it! I hate the loud noise (my daughter is scared of it!), I hate the smell and to think this would create danger, too! Fireworks are okay, though, because it's nice to see and it's quite harmless, too...
Anyways, this is what usually happens here in our place. I would love to know what takes place during the New Year at your end, too..
Comments
mommy cooks, this is my new creation, pakiadd mo please kung pwede, i added u there already.. mwah!
During Christmas, we'll usually have Christmas brunch somewhere at a hotel or some place nice. Then dinner, I'll be cooking up a storm, preparing a lavish feast (although I usually just order the turkey from somewhere else LOL!). Then after dinner, we'll open the presents.
However, this year, I wasn't able to go back for Christmas, so the family just went for Christmas dinner at Hyatt hotel. hehehe..
but on my part, we are at my inlaws at 12am's and at my moms's the next day.. hehe
and yeah.. i hate firecrackers too!!!
have a blessed new year dear!
During CNY, you could hear loud firecrackers here..haha. Gwen not quite bothered by the loud noises though. :P But she is terrified of vacuum cleaners..hahaha
Anyway, happy new year cookie pie, hoping for the best and may you always have good health and more blessings to come .