Normally, when referring to the twelve days of Christmas you usually count the 25th as the first day, but here at Juice, where we don't do usually do things "normally," we've decided to countdown the twelve days leading up to the big day. So put on your kitschy Christmas sweaters and let's get it started!

Day One - Trim the tree!
Nothing jump-starts the holiday season like putting up the Christmas tree and getting the whole family together to decorate it. Slap on your favorite holiday record and get to the trimmin’! Heck, you could even do it alone. As long as you’ve got the spirit of the season in you, and your Ray Conniff record or perhaps your favorite Tagalog Christmas songs (Jose Mari Chan, anyone?) humming as you go, you’re all set.


Don't pretend you don't know the words.

Day Two - Christmas movie marathon!
Get into the festive spirit of the season by watching your favorite Christmas movies, because nothing says Christmas like curling up on the couch with someone special with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands, while you watch quintessential Christmas movies like It's A Wonderful Life or A Charlie Brown Christmas.

(Check out Juice Movies)





Last year, we counted down the best Christmas movies of all-time. Read the article here and let us know if we left anything out. Then check back here next week as we give our new picks!

Day Three - Do your Christmas shopping.
Get ‘r done and finish your Christmas shopping early. Manila is replete with Christmas bazaars during the holiday season so you have no excuse to slack off. Check out the St. James Christmas Bazaar in Alabang at the Cuenca covered court. With over 500 concessionaires, you're bound to strike gold. And if you miss this one, don't fret, there are a whole bunch of bazaars happening in Alabang in the weekends leading up to Christmas. 



Day Four - Get your pray on!
In the interest of keeping off Santa’s naughty list, the time-old Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, a 9-day novena that starts on December 16, provides that much-needed dose of spiritual cleansing we could all use at the end of the year. And if a clean slate isn’t enough incentive for waking up at the unearthly hour of 4 am, then the cup of hot tsokolate and various kakanin that awaits you after mass should.

(Check out this list of Churches to make sure you don't miss out on your Simbang Gabi)



Day Five - Get your drink on!
Keep the festive mood going and mix up your own batch of eggnog for the full holiday experience. Here's a recipe from allrecipes.com for some Amazingly Good Eggnog.



Ingredients

4 cups milk
5 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups light rum
4 cups light cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.
3. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Day Six - Treat yo self!
'Tis the season for giving! So why not treat yourself to a day of rest and relaxation? Take a trip to the spa or go on your own gastronomical sojourn to Tagaytay’s Antonio’s restaurant for a hearty meal that’ll soothe your hunger pangs as well as your soul. We recommend the Roasted Bone Marrow for a truly indulgent epicurean experience.



Day Seven - Throw a party!
For Filipinos, throwing a party is as natural to us as breathing. We throw parties for every occasion, no matter how small or trivial the occasion is. Get your friends and family together and put together a feast. Nothing says "I love you" like a good, home-cooked meal. And some lechon wouldn't hurt, too.



Day Eight - Go on a date.
It's the perfect time to re-ignite (or ignite, if you're single) the flame of your relationship so why not plan a nice dinner somewhere fancy? If there's a time to splurge on your sweetheart, it's Christmas time. 2nd's on High Street at the Fort serves up delicious comfort food with a twist. Order their Steak Frites with Truffled Fries for a sure home-run.



Day Nine - Get inspired.
When was the last time you watched a ballet? If you're like most people, it's probably been a while. So this season is as good as any time to get cultured, and what better way than a viewing of the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty as interpreted by Ballet Philippines, set to the glorious music of Tchaikovsky.



Day Ten - Do something nice for a stranger.
If Christmas movies have taught us anything it's that this is the season where all bets are off and it's time to spit-shine the charitable do-gooder in you and help a brother/sister out. Take a page out of old reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge's book and embrace the you you could be. Hands on Manila gives you volunteer options for everything from assisting the elderly to teaching children the basics of art. To learn more about Hands on Manila call their office at 386-6521 or visit their website.



Day Eleven - The Great Gift Exchange.
Thanks to websites like Amazon or Elfster, a online gift exchange website where your friends can log onto and draw names electronically, technology has made the pain of planning parties a cinch! You can even customize your very own wishlist to make sure your "Mommy" or "Daddy" gets exactly what you want/need. It saves a ton of time and takes out all the guesswork, so you don't have to go home with another generic picture frame or kitschy coffee mug! Unless of course, that's what you really want.



Day Twelve - Tell someone you love them.
Barring everything that happens during the holidays: the parties, the stress of shopping for the multitude of gifts you have to give, the traffic, the corny themed-music blasting in the malls, it can be easy to forget what this season is truly about. Christmas is about celebrating life with the people you care about and telling them you love them, because if you can't say it now, when can you?



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