Stocking Up Early

Last year we were not able to prepare food for Christmas like we always did, partly because I failed to account for the insensitivity of certain cultures and partly because we did not expect to have emergency cash outs for school tuition fees when the school decided to have earlier periodical exams than usual. 

Part of it too was the fact that there weren't as many projects so the expected funds, little as they already were, was exacerbated even more by the delay of payments. We were able to celebrate still, more peacefully and prayerfully though, which I guess, is the way everybody should celebrate Christmas. And then I just got back at the kids a few days after to make up for the experience.

Since our culture molded us to come together as a family during Christmas and New Year, having no food or gifts around dampens any festive feeling. We experienced that and honestly, I wouldn't want it to happen again. So as early as a month before, Minda and I had already made a game plan, that involved cutting into our regular budget to try and buy things we'll be preparing come Christmas and New Year. We started with the little ones like chocolate tablets, peanut butter, milk, and cheese. The following payday we added spaghetti, and sauces. Still on another inflow of cash we bought ingredients for the fruit salad, and then cream and sweeteners on yet another.

Come Christmas week, we didn't have to spend so much on one go, since most of the things we needed were already in the pantry. The perishables like bread, veggies, ham, poultry and meats all accounted to just little over the regular grocery runs we have. The smaller items like condiments and spices were all readily available at the sari-sari store next door. Everything was ready and time was spent on the occasion and not spent on worrying about anything that would dampen the spirit. We'll be doing this every year and make it part of the actual tradition of festivities. 

I must note here that groceries were noticeably understocked with canned goods and noodles, and rice during the time we were doing this. This I suppose is due to many people buying relief goods in bulk for the Yolanda victims. In perspective, what we experienced last year is nothing compared to what others will be going through soon.