Philippines has the longest celebration of Christmas. Once September starts rolling around the corner, you can quickly feel the holiday season setting in. At one moment, it's just another regular day. Then, suddenly, the streets feel a little busier, people start talking about plans and food and all kinds of things can be found being sold on the streets. I guess that’s one reason the season feels special to me.
The holidays arrives quietly at first and then changes everyone's mood without notice. There's something about the colder air or the small lights flickering around the neighborhood that makes everything feel nice and because of that, I end up thinking more about simpler things: how people treat each other, the things I’m thankful for, and the tiny moments that made the year feel complete.
I saw the contest topic in Ladies of Hive and I wanted to join to share my thoughts for this week's Ladies of Hive Community Contest #267.
"If you could give a gift that has great potential to do good for this holiday season, what would it be, who would you give it to, and why?"
If I had to choose one gift to give this holiday season, something that I feel could really help someone, I’d probably pick a journal. It's nothing fancy. It's just a plain notebook with enough space for someone to write whatever they want. To make it a little bit special, I might do some decorating at the front with the words, "This is how your year began," and a small message at the back saying, "This is how your year ended."
I’d give it to a friend who’s been having a rough time but doesn’t talk about it much. I don't have a specific friend in mind right now on the top of my head though. But I'll give it to someone who... You know the type who always says “I’m fine” even when you know they’re not? I think this journal might help them in ways that other gifts can’t.
I’ve noticed that writing things down makes problems feel less heavy. It doesn’t fix everything but somehow it gives your mind space to breathe as if someone is listening to your troubles. A journal can hold thoughts you don’t want to say out loud. It can keep secrets without judging you and for some people, that’s already a enough to keep their head in the right space and avoid any actions they might end up regretting.
I’d choose this gift because it’s simple but personal. It doesn’t sparkle or look too impressive but it gives someone a place to sort out their feelings or even dream a little and sometimes that’s all a person needs. It's just a place to start again. Since the holidays are usually about new beginnings or small resets, giving someone a blank journal feels like handing them a tiny window to see things from a different perspective.
What is your favorite thing to enjoy during the holiday season, and why?
My favorite thing during the holiday season isn’t the food or gifts, though those are nice. What I really enjoy are the no classes, a holiday where I can just relax without thinking about school with my friends and family. You can feel the difference, the air is cooler, the streets are calmer and even the house feels like it’s resting. I like sitting with a cup of warm milk, not doing anything special, just letting myself be still for once.
Most of the year, it feels like running. There’s always a schedule, a deadline or something you needed to do. But during the holidays, even if it’s just for a few days, it feels like the world takes a small break. People seem gentler, everyone just joking around and that peaceful atmosphere makes me feel like I can relax.
These quiet moments remind me that the year wasn’t just hard times. It also had small wins, surprises and lessons I didn’t notice before. It’s also when I feel most thankful. I'm not being dramatic but I like the simple, quiet, peaceful days. That’s why those holiday nights are the ones I am always looking forward to. They make me recharged and ready for whatever the next year brings.
Closing Thoughts
In the end, this little article is just a reminder that small efforts can still carry a lot of heart. The holidays don’t need grand gestures to feel meaningful. Sometimes, peace and quiet is the best gift. The gentle moments that we encounter throughout the year and the small pauses in between are the best things that we would remember at the end. Whether it’s giving someone a place to breathe through a simple journal or enjoying the calm days that let us have our reset, these tiny things shape how we end the year and how we begin the next one.
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