Christmas shopping

When it comes to gift giving, some people prefer buying little things throughout the year to give come December while others would rather finish their Christmas shopping a month ahead so that they don't join the insanity that is the holiday rush. I'm not either type. I prefer shopping for presents only when needed and I actually get a rush in purposely bumping everyone with my bags when they're on my way. I finally did some Christmas shopping and people bumping awhile ago. I ended up buying more stuff for me than the people on my list (and this year, the list ain't long!). I had all sorts of presents-to-buy in mind already but when I went to the stores that I thought had them, they didn't. So now, I have to rethink my gift giving strategy. After buying myself a black and blue picnic blanket printed shirt at Topman in Rockwell, I parked my all-walked-out self (espadrilles aren't the best walking shoes pala) I sat and listened to this choir as they sang festive songs. It was a really nice sight and sound experience with that huge poinsettia-filled tree happily sparkling behind them. It inspired me to wipe out the Costa Brava cupcakes at the Baker's Dozen Fair at the food concourse. My shopping continues tomorrow in Greenbelt 5 and Rustan's.

Christmas time in the city

I went to Rustan's last week and heard them playing Christmas songs. It's still September for crying out loud. Isn't it too early for that? I think the holiday dressings should start after All Soul's Day and Halloween. Isn't it strange to continue celebrating the Holiday season when you also have to go through a day to remember the dearly departed? Anyway, my most memorable Christmas to-date is when my family and I spent it in Europe two years ago. I don't recall if they played Christmas songs but they sorta dolled up most of the places we went to.

From the coliseum,

to the streets of Florence,

the Vatican,

and Paris.

Notre Dame it's cold!

Christmas there was very subtle, not hard sell. Pre-departure, I made a playlist of Christmas songs. This was my favourite one: