In My Basket
In the midst of the outrageous traffic situation on EDSA recently, when long lines of vehicles were at a standstill for two hours, a friend in her van desparately asked, “Has the Christmas shopping season started?” We then realized the holiday season is happening very soon and with it, inevitably, are clogged streets. Commuters have to be prepared to spend long hours on the road before reaching their destinations.
But with optimism that this will ease, we brace ourselves for the busy preparations for Christmas. The spirit pervades the air, the colors of the Yuletide are everywhere – the reds, the greens in most stores and malls; brilliantly lighted trees, from the littlest ones to the very tall, are on display; mounds of decorations prominently occupy selling areas; linens in various holiday designs and sizes, from tablecloths to runners to napkins, are there to choose from. What a happy atmosphere they all provide!
But down to the basics. Let’s seriously plan, yes, this early, our respective Christmas celebrations, from the food and the gifts to the home décor. Go over your various lists, jot down what are needed, and set a timetable. For years now, we have followed the practice of buying food items (those that keep) and gifts every weekend when we go out for our regular shopping, with the money we could spare or save. This lessens the tension of having to rush when Christmas is upon us.
What foodstuff to buy and store? Here are some suggestions. Queso de bola is always a must have. Get one big and one small. Chorizo (Spanish) is a must when preparing
paella and other special dishes. They keep and are available either individually or in cans (big and small). Ham – Majestic is now very pricey so we choose the PureFoods Fiesta ham. Bottled ingredients, such as sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil (both extra virgin and pure), olives (green and black). Be sure to check expiry dates. Some stores still display outdated supplies. We were victimized once.
Watch out for sales. Some distributors, especially of the Spanish ingredients, conduct special sales, so go visit them. But when it happens, go very early or you will be caught in a long line at the cashier. We once abandoned our basket of purchases because of the very long queue that would have taken us much longer to pay than to get our needs.
For non-food gifts, it is just as important to make a list. Again, so you will not feel harassed. Indeed, Christmas is nearly upon us. Be prepared. Have a stress-free Sunday!