Home For The Holidays

It’s that time of the year again! We check in with some of our Tatler friends, who share their Christmas traditions and wishes for this year

- Joleysa Aguilar

TEO FAMILY

“We always try to remind the kids what Christmas is all about: not putting up the Christmas tree and giving gifts, but commemorating the birth of Christ. And the most important thing is to make them understand its significance,” says Drs Z and Aivee Teo.

Despite the demands of their work, Z and Aivee make sure to set aside time for family, especially during Christmas season. They make it a point to get into the festive spirit by putting up décor, helping the kids [Ken-Z, 12; Kenzo, 8; Kelicia, 5] write up their wishlists, and planning the family’s next holiday trip. Each year, they go out of the country and for the past five years, Japan has been their destination of choice. 22 family members from both sides jet to the land of the rising sun and take time off to catch up with each other. But Christmas day itself is always spent in the Philippines. “We go to my mother-in-law’s place on Christmas Eve and stay until Christmas day. We stay there until four in the morning and then we come back home, and that is when my family will go to the tree and open gifts,” Z shares. After gift-giving, the family hears mass, has lunch, and enjoys the rest of the day.

Recalling the family’s most memorable Christmas experience, Z shares “Five years ago, during our first trip to Japan, our kids saw snow for the first time. That was so memorable because when they came out of the plane, and they saw the snow, they were so amazed. I can still remember the looks on their faces. And when you see the kids happy, you yourself feel happier.” Christmas is certainly for and about the kids. Those cherished feelings of happiness and gratitude is exactly what they want for their children to experience and find in Christmas, which is why they are so dedicated in shaping the magic that Christmas can offer to their kids.