We're on the final stretch of 2018 and 2 weeks before Christmas and yes, we all survived this year which wow came by so fast right?

For everything that I have been blessed with, more than material things, a renewed and restored marriage, good health for the family, daily provisions, new friends both online and offline, loyal readers and supporters, and new blog and social media followers too (which I pray will still grow in 2019), I am very grateful.  I feel humbled and unworthy but all these provisions were poured to me and my family this year.

As my way of thanks to all of you, I am running a simple Christmas Giveaway which will be implemented on Instagram.  The giveaway mechanics is super simple and it goes a little something like this:
CLAIMING OF PRIZES:
Winners should be willing to claim their prize from me in the following meet up places depending on agreed schedule:
- Jollibee Pureza, Manila
- CCF Gateway Cubao

A representative may claim on their behalf, please notify me who shall claim for you.  Should you opt for prize to be sent out, shipping fee will be on winners' personal account.

So there you have it loves!  Do join and invite your friends to follow Mommy Practicality on IG and join the Christmas Giveaway.  Again, thank you for all your support throughout my blogging years, this 2018, and in the years to come!

Advance Merry Christmas to ALL! :)

Do you remember how it felt during your first day in school as a high school or college student in school or a big university?  How about your first date with your husband?  First kiss?  First time to become a mother?  The feeling of firsts is always exciting, happy, and definitely memorable.

The event was hosted by the alluring Louisa Mercado of The Art Of Being A Mom blog, who admitted to also fulfilling her long-time dream to become an events host.  See, also a first for her, that had been a blast for her too!
The party was held at ICON Hotel Timog's huge function room which I believe could fit around 200-250 pax.  The venue was perfect for our group to move around, for activities, for the buffet, and giveaway area.  Air-conditioning was good as well making all attendees comfortably seated while enjoying the party and while dining.
Speaking of food!   My favorites go out to the nachos, pumpkin soup with bacon bits, and Marinara pasta.  It was an after lunch affair and my taste buds at that time were all for knick-knacks and pasta, very Pinoy afternoon delight - merienda time kasi.
There were a lot of photo taking with moms who I think were like me, too happy to have had time to escape their mom roles for a while, to be in the company of other moms in the same blogging industry.

Some already knew each other for a long time while some made new friends, I surely made new friends during the party.  The joy of the first meeting, first hello, and first conversation with a new mom friend evident..  Who knows this firsts could launch a lifetime friendship right?
What made the party extra fun was everyone was game with their costumes.  I personally made an effort to come as an icon because this event and the iconic venue deserves a celebrated participation from everyone, for the sake of Christmas fun and once in a lifetime bonding with fellow bloggers.  Plus, I love the organizers too!  And because of this, I was one of the best dressed icon that afternoon together with Lariza Garcia (aka Poison Ivy), Lally Gonzalez (aka Egyptian Woman), and the totoong-totoong well-deserving winner, Michelle Estranero (aka Wonder Woman).
Games and activities make any party come to life.  After seeing moms enter one after the other donned in their best costume entry, the fun continued with games, raffle of prizes, Best In Costume rampa and exchange gifts.
Lastly showering the moms with gifts from generous sponsors.
I was so happy to see almost everybody prepared their big eco-bags and even luggage bags for some (sanay na sa shower of giveaways!  I love it!  Gave me a very great idea!)  For those without the convenience and poise of luggage bags, large eco bags or carry as is, like me:
Each of us got all these wonderful gifts from our sponsors:
The #MBPChristmasParty2018 was made possible by generous sponsors and a team of mommies who love this blogging community.

Thank you to ICON Hotel Timog who supported and made our get together possible!

Our generous sponsors, Pampers, Buzy Bee Bouquets and Balloons, First Tier Brands, Lilys Peanut
Butter, NGP, Lemon Square, Welchs Sparkling Juice, Crystal Derm, Cheez Whiz, Kids Company, V&M Naturals, Gardenia, Goya, CAT PR, Tim Hortons, SkinWhite, McDonalds, Daiso, Nisce MediSpa, Lorem Ipsum, myfinanceplanner by Tipid Mommy and Robinsons Supermarket gave their support, through giving us giveaways and prizes.

THE SPONSORS:
Icon Hotel Timog Avenue
60 Timog Avenue Tomas cor. Tomas Morato
Quezon City, Philippines
For rooms reservations and inquiries, call central reservations number (02) 353-6000. For Banquets
and Events, call (02) 515-0197
Mobile: (+63) 921-795-2170
Email: iconhoteltimog@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/Iconhotelph/
https://www.instagram.com/iconhotelph/
#IconHotel
#IconHotelTimog

Pampers
https://www.pampers.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/PampersPh/
#LessPalitMasSulit
#LessLawlawMoreWow

Buzy Bee Bouquets and Balloons
https://www.facebook.com/buzybeebouquetsballoons/
https://www.instagram.com/buzybee.bouquetsballoons

First Tier Brands

Robinsons Supermarket
http://www.robinsonssupermarket.com.ph/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/RobSupermarket
https://www.twitter.com/RobSupermarket
#WeLoveWellness #WellnessJourney

NEO Photography

https://www.facebook.com/neoonanadjrphotography/

Lilys Peanut Butter
http://mylilys.com
https://www.facebook.com/LilysPeanutButter/
https://www.instagram.com/lilyspeanutbutter

NGP
https://www.ngpimc.com
https://www.facebook.com/ngpimc/

Lemon Square
https://www.facebook.com/LemonSquareCupcakes/

Welchs Sparkling Juice
https://www.facebook.com/WelchsPh/
https://www.instagram.com/welchs_ph

Crystal Derm
http://www.crystalderm.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/crystaldermskincareonline/
https://www.instagram.com/crystalderm/

Cheez Whiz
https://www.facebook.com/CheezWhizPH/
https://www.instagram.com/cheezwhizph/

Kids Company
https://kidscompany.com.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/KidsCompanyPh/
https://www.instagram.com/kidscompanyph/

V&M Naturals
https://www.facebook.com/VenusandMarsnaturals
https://www.instagram.com/vnmnaturals/

Goya
https://www.facebook.com/GoyaChocoholics/
https://www.instagram.com/goyachocolates/

CATPR

Gardenia
https://www.gardenia.com.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/gardeniaph/
https://www.instagram.com/gardeniaph/

Tim Hortons
http://timhortons.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/TimHortonsPhilippines/
https://www.instagram.com/timhortonsphl/

SkinWhite
https://www.facebook.com/skinwhite/
https://www.instagram.com/skinwhiteph/


McDonalds
https://www.mcdonalds.com.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/McDo.ph
https://www.instagram.com/mcdo_ph

Daiso
https://www.facebook.com/DaisoJapanPH/
https://www.instagram.com/daisophilippines
https://www.twitter.com/daisojapanph
#DaisoJapanPH

Nisce Skin MediSpa
http://www.nisceskin.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NisceSkin/
https://www.instagram.com/nisceskinmedispa/

Lorem Ipsum

myfinanceplanner by Tipid Mommy
https://www.facebook.com/tipidmommy/
https://www.instagram.com/tipidmommy/

Did I have fun?  FUN is an understatement!  It was a party that's one for the books, a memory that will last a lifetime.  It was indeed a FIRST of many MBP Christmas parties that I will be attending.  A first that had definitely etched in my mommy heart.  Thank you Mommy Bloggers Philippines for inviting me and for making me part of the supportive and encouraging community.

Advance Merry Christmas to ALL! :)

Have you made your Christmas list already?  I'm sure you did, ganyan tayong mga practical mommies, always ready.  If I am not mistaken, some of you may have started their Christmas gifts shopping as early as last month, right?  Or whenever there are sales in malls or bazaars, some would buy gifts in advance for their loved ones.  Sayang kasi if you let go of the sale right?

Let me take you through their SM North EDSA branch, which was newly renovated and I believe one of their biggest branches in the metro.  National Book Store is already Christmas ready, with great gift finds perfect for your husband or wife, brother or sister, inaanaks of all ages, friends and officemates.  What's so nice is if you look around, you'll find something which fits your budget.  You don't need to go store hopping to find the right gift for the person on your Christmas gift.  You could find them 99% of them, if not all, at National Book Store.

Their branches have an easy zoning for your Christmas finds divided to:

• Christmas Zone - where you will find customizable items such as notebooks/journals, pens and pencils, note cards or money envelops, gift wrappers, and even wallets and pouches too.  Here you'll also find the Books Of The Year placed in a Christmas book tree.  For your Christmas decors and setting the merriment ambiance for the home or office, you'll also find a variety in this area.  In this zone, you can find 100 Great Gifts to Get for someone and get for yourself. It is a curated selection of products featuring exclusive items, collaborations, holiday specials, etc. Price points are from P100 to P1000.

• Gift Zone - I love that this zone has already made gift searching more convenient and practical for you.  National Book Store has curated gift ideas according to budget and personality. Under the Gift Zone, you'll find a display or gift bundles for the following:
• Gifts for your FAMILY
• Gifts for your FRIENDS
• Gifts for your OFFICEMATES
• Gifts for your SPECIAL SOMEONE
• Gifts Php 100 below, Php 300 below, and Php500 below

• Gift Wrapping Zone - The Gift Wrapping Zone will make it easy for shoppers to select their gift wrapping needs with the 5-step Easy Wrapping Guide:

1. Choose your wrapper (or a complete bundle).
2. Choose your washi tape.
3. Choose your ribbon.
4. Choose your tag.
5. Choose your wrapping style. (printed on table standees with QR codes directing to DIY videos)