Happy New Year everyone! This 2018, we celebrated our 3rd Christmas in New Zealand. It was quite a busy month for us, as we went to several parties, because we are Pinoys and we love gathering with friends and family, am I right?
Our holiday activities started in late November, and the next weeks after that was a flurry of activities.
Big Life Group Party
Our Filipino family here in Wellington kicked off the season with a great party in the city. There was singing, dancing, food and awards handed out.
A Welly Christmas in Lambton Quay
We joined Wellington’s Christmas kickoff festivities in the city, and saw Santa in Lambton Quay. The girls were happy looking at the bubbles and walking around the city streets.
Johnsonville Santa Parade
It’s our third time watching the Santa Parade near our house. Every year, the Lions Club organizes this parade, joined by various schools and organizations in the community.
Friday Life Group Party
This was a more intimate party specially for our Life Group that meets every Friday.
Christmas Party at Whitby
Most of our Welly family come over to Whitby for a big Christmas Eve dinner. There were also games, singing, and of course, exchanging of gifts!
Christmas Day at Home
Since the girls are still young to open gifts at midnight (as I am used to doing in the Philippines), we do this in the morning. With a nice Christmas breakfast, we open gifts near the tree. The girls play with their new toys, and JP and I clean up the mess afterwards.
I love our Christmas this year. More and more, I feel that New Zealand is becoming our home. It’s a different way of celebrating than the ones I was used to when I was younger, but it’s definitely special too. Besides, we want Katie and Patty to experience the excitement and happiness that comes with the season. It was a good season, and now we look forward to the year ahead.
