My officemates are, as of this writing, monkeying around at this makeshift Kris Kringle box set up near our office’s mini-lounge. They’re looking inside the box and moving the small gifts around. The girls are giggling and the boys are shoving each other and they’re laughing at something or other. It’s really amusing because these gifts are only worth between P20 - P50 each, yet they’re making my officemates really excited. Makes me think that gifts, no matter what the size, are really much appreciated these days.

Speaking of gifts, this is the first time in a long time that I haven’t started shopping for Christmas gifts by first week of December. Last year, Markie and I had a good (if very tiring) trip to Divisoria on the 30th of November. And by this time last year I was really hitting the shops and buying stuff.

This year though, I haven’t made that much of an effort. Not that I didn’t want to. It just seemed…well…Christmas came really late this year. I can smell it in the air now, yes, but not so just a couple of weeks ago. And well, I just seemed not to have time.

Add to that, our editor in chief Kat told us during lunchbreak last week that her cousin who owns or manages(?) UFC Ketchup said that more people are now using ketchup as ulam or the main dish in their meals.

I actually know sadder stories than this, but it made me remember the harsh realities outside my office door, after I’ve buried them under piles of paperwork and general busy-ness for months and months.

And so I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I’ve kind of decided that the money I’ll spend for my officemates’ gifts (which is: amount in pesos x 24 people, because I usually give similar gifts to everyone in the office) would do better good in the world if I donate it to either UNICEF or Kalakasan. I’m still assessing the gifts I’ll be giving other people because it’s really a case-to-case thing, but I guess it’s a start.

And oh, I wanna start volunteering to help out in the community again. We found a good website which has a list of groups we can contact. Do check it out too! I’ts www.ivolunteer.ph

Posted under Navel-Gazing