It's been a family tradition to put up a Christmas Tree!

I admittedly love shopping, who wouldn't right?  But don't get me wrong, I make sure these are planned and budgeted shopping activities!  As I track my purchases month by month, the things I spend for the most are the following: Food (Groceries and Daily Meals), Bills (electricity, SUN postpaid bill, land line and water), Insurance and Investments.  Given these, plus two kids, it's important for me to be wise in all my expenses.  Also, being practical for me means getting the best of life without having to spend too much.  Practicality is not being limited, it's being a smart spender.

This blog is not called Mommy Practicality for no reason.  When I was starting, I was looking for a name that would best fit my lifestyle because it will definitely reflect on the things I will be writing about.  Hence, my blog features are the likes of Practical Mom (where I talk about my practical mommy lifestyle in general) and Practical Finds (where I feature my bargain hunts, sale purchases and other things I was able to save on) such as these:

Practical Finds, got this for 50% off!  I mostly do my shopping on SALE season! :)  Same quality, lower price!

Being one of the fast rising star who had appeared in several prime time shows on TV, Kathryn Bernardo is the perfect fit for Juicy Cologne's Brand Ambassador.  A fun-loving  gal and a hip trendsetter at the age of 18, she has just been renewed as the face of Juicy Cologne, and I'm happy to witness this last November 18 in an event for bloggers, at Stacy's Capitol Hills, QC.

As an active working mom of two, my schedule is always full with errands and activities which require me to bounce from one place to another.  My business travels and regular commute to work mean a lot of walking is to be expected too.  So having a perfect pair of walking shoes could help a lot in making me happily fulfill duties here and there without complaining of aching feet due to poorly designed shoes, which aren't specifically fit for long and frequent walks.  Finally, my search for comfortable walking and travelling shoes is over!

Martha Sta. Barbara, Skecher Philippines' PR Consultant and a beauty blogger herself, opening the event!

I'm glad I was invited by Martha of The Beauty Junkee to an unforgettable mala-Amazing Race Skechers GOWalk event a few days ago at the Skechers Glorietta Mall branch.  I could say it was one of a kind and definitely an engaging event staged by the Skechers GOWalk Team.

As promised in my previous post about Practical Christmas Gift Ideas for Moms, I will be doing this as series.  Next up, Christmas Gift Ideas for Dads or Husbands.  Did you notice that I didn't include practical there?  Hahaha!  I have a back story for this.  I made a quick survey on my personal Facebook Page among my daddy/guy friends asking them their Christmas wishlist.  I even included this phrase: "Think #Practicality please?"  

Guess what the results were?  These are functional, big and important (at least for them) things which they went on justifying why they are practical.  The thread was long and some even posted photos of what they want.  Let me share with you a few:

Over the last few months, we've heard so much about ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis through the "Ice-Bucket-Challenge" which was more popularized via social media by Hollywood and local celebrities.  They gamely took the challenge, videoed themselves, and nominated another person to do the challenge.  This move was created to fund the research on this condition also known as the Gehrig's Disease.  I also saw videos ordinary people who took on the challenge, who may not necessarily understand it, and who may think that it's just amusing to do it.  The viral campaign was created because not very much is known about this condition which affects the nerve cells of the brain and the spinal cord.

So much has to be understood about this disease which I got to comprehend better after seeing the VIP Special Screening of "You're Not You".

Few more days and it's Christmas loves!  Time to also put up your Christmas decorations at home if you still haven't.  What a perfect timing it is as well to prepare your Christmas Gifts lists and do your shopping.  I admire others who started shopping for their Christmas gifts as early as the first quarter and who also take advantage of the sale season at malls to buy their early Christmas or Birthday gifts. It isn't only practical, it also saves you from the shopping rush.

I'll be doing a series of Practical Christmas Gift Ideas from this day onward.  To be featured are lists of Christmas gift ideas for Moms, Dads, Husbands, Children, Friends and Colleagues.  Don't forget to come back to my lists because I'll keep on updating them.

Practical Christmas Gift Ideas for Moms

1. Scarves or Shawls- Give Mom a scarf or shawl and watch her turn an ordinary outfit to something sophisticated!  Plus it will also give her the warmth she needs on cold days. Make sure you choose her favorite color or print!  Price range: Php 150 to Php 1,000
2. Health and Beauty Items or GCs- For all of mom's hard work at home or in the office, she needs a well-deserved break!   This season is the best time to show her your appreciation and love by giving her health &  beauty items or service GCs such as massage, hand &  feet pampering or facial treatments.   For items, this could be anything from cologne, three-step-facial-care, lotions, hair products, vitamins or supplements too! :)  Moms need to feel beautiful and rejuvenated so she'll come out fresh and ready to take on any work load with a beautiful smile! Price range: Php 50 to Php 1,000
3. A New Mobile Phone with SUN Postpaid Plan - Give mom a new phone bundled with a SUN Postpaid Plan!  Choose from Regular Postpaid Plans (as low as Plan 350 to Plan 600), Fixed Load Plans, Unli-data and SUN Elite Plans (choose from Plans 999/1399 a month to Elite Plan 1500) or Tri-Net or Group Plans!  To add to the experience, register her new SUN Postpaid to FREE Internet for unlimited Facebook, unlimited surfing, likes and sharing! Price Range: Php350 to Php 1,500 a month
4. A Chic and Multi-functional Sac Manille Bag - When moms are out with kids, we want to bring the whole house in our bags just be sure, we don't forget anything.  But at the same time, we want to still look chic and fashionable.  Give her a bag that does that both!  I have been using David Jones (Paris) bag for years and not only it looks pop, but it's durable because it's made of quality materials!  Available at Sac Manille.  Price Range: Php 1,500 to Php 2500
   
5. AVON Home Plate Set (add Placemat and Coaster Set, and Flatware Set) - Mom would always find happiness in new dinnerware or kitchenware!   She will be more excited to whip up delish meals for the family!  Price Range: Php 550 to Php 1500.
   
6. Planner or Notebooks- Almost all moms, including me, love making lists (spell things to do, grocery list, gift list, school needs, etc.) plotting schedules (like birthdays and children's school activities.)  A really nice mommy planner would be a perfect gift for any moms!  I assure you, this gift will be most used the whole year!  This Mom 24/7 2015 Planner is a great buy with many discount coupons carefully selected for mom!  Available at Mommy Mundo Shop for Php 395.  There are other beautiful planners or notebooks available at leading book stores nationwide from Php 100 to Php 500 each :)
   
7. Heart-felt Christmas Card or Letter- Last but not the least, the most inexpensive (almost free) and most heartfelt gift is a Christmas love letter for the most beautiful and loving woman in any person's life.  You could never ever go wrong with a personalized message of appreciation and holiday greetings with this.  Moms will not only read the content but they could read through all the effort you put into creating this wonderful gift.  Tell her everything you can't say in person in your letter and watch her cry buckets of tears.  Price Range: FREE but one that will last a lifetime!

There you have it!  The key to giving a really special gift to your mom is to know what she really likes, her hobbies, what she really fancies or what she needs.  Some moms, like my mom, prefer to receive cash!  Hahaha!  Now that's practical!  But whatever you give your mom this Christmas, make sure you write her a message of appreciation and express how much you love her!  Make it a habit to tell and show your moms your love, not only on special occasions, but everyday the whole year!

Here it is loves, the moment you've been waiting for!  I'm launching now my 2nd Year of Mommy Practicality Birthday Giveaway!
I'm just so thankful for the life that's entrusted to me by God and as I wake up everyday and breathe in, I am humbled.  I couldn't say thank you enough to my loved ones, my friends and colleagues for truly celebrating happily with me! :)  I'm thankful for everything I have right now which brings me happiness, contentment and peace of mind.  With everything that I have, I feel so little and I know I have a mission to do more and be more, to serve HIM and others. :)

Speaking of celebrating life, one way to do this is to host a Birthday Giveaway! :)  I will not delay further, here are the mechanics:

STEP 1:  ELIGIBILITY

1. OPEN to ALL Mommy Practicality readers, followers and friends NATIONWIDE.
2. Service GC prizes will only be available to joiners residing in Metro Manila winners.
3. Prizes shall be sent to provincial winners with an option to pick-up in Makati City.  Residents of NCR shall pick up their prizes from Makati City.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I used to feel sentimental every time my birthday would come up.  I now realized it must be because I felt incomplete, unaccomplished, lonely or insecure.  It also could be because my hormones are running downhill and I just felt crappy and unappreciated.  But most of all, it's because immaturity was eating me all up and I just didn't feel content at what I already have.