Holiday Ideas by Tita Frieda

        

Noong bata ako, ang pangarap ko ay maging abogada. Ngayon na abogada na ‘ko, gusto ko na maging housewife!!! (ehem, Papa N) Well, love ko naman yung work ko pero nainggit talaga ako last Friday when I was invited by our friends from Unilab for a Lifestyle Workshop entitled LIFE IN YOUR HANDS held at Alabang Country Club’s Main Dining Hall. Especially after we met Mrs. Frieda Colet Lim, the Martha Stewart of the South! Siya na ang peg ko! 

 

Tita Frieda (yes, nakiki-close ako) gave us wonderful and creative ideas on entertaining, decorating and giving to make celebrating the coming holidays at home more special…and hands-on. This is the thrust of the lifestyle workshop — to encourage women, especially those in their 50s and 60s who are experiencing nerve-aging, to keep doing what they need and love to do.  

 

 

 

Nerve-aging can cause abnormal touch sensations like numbness, burning and pricking. It can also result in muscle weakness and can slow down one’s reflexes in the extremities. Luckily, there’s Neurogen-E, which can prevent and treat deficiencies in Vitamins B1, B6 & B12. (www.thefilipinodoctor.com)

 

 

As for Tita Frieda (pinanindigan ko talaga), she has a passion for making her home more beautiful and she was more than willing to share her ideas with us. At siyempre ako, I am also more than willing to share her ideas with you. Hehe.

  

Kasama sa “what-I-love-to-do” list ko ang GIFT WRAPPING. Kaya naman every year, I really make it a point na kahit hindi kagandahan o kamahalan ang regalo ko, mukha naman siyang mahal at maganda. Ang goal ko, manghinayang ang niregaluhan ko na buksan ang present sa ganda ng balot. J At manghihinayang ka talaga, especially kung ganito ang matatanggap mo.

 

 

Top: Ito ang peg ko this Christmas.

Plain white cartolina spray-painted with gold and bronze paint. Ganda ng effect noh? Topped with purple ribbon.

 

Big box at the bottom left:

Gray cartolina, white wired-ribbon, spray-painted fresh leaves, recycled berries and twigs (lumang Christmas decors)

 

Right:

Recycled brown paper bags, paper strings, recycled berries and twigs

  

You can use a variety of materials to wrap your gifts. Last year, bumili ako ng tela sa Divisoria. Yung nasa bangketa lang na tig-P20 per yard. I bought geometric printed blue and green fabric for boys and striped pink and orange fabric for girls. Sa totoo lang, using fabric is so much more easier kasi di na kailangan ng scotch tape. Balot. Ribbon. Card. Tapos! Plus, sa isang yarda, madami ka nang mababalot na regalo. Not to mention na mas mapapadali yung life mo, especially with oddly-shaped gifts. Natuwa lahat ng binigyan ko. Promise!

  

  

According to Tita Frieda, it is best to have a similar look for all your Christmas presents. That way, they look neat, nicer and can even serve as décor under your Christmas tree.

 

 Invest on RIBBONS! Kahit simple lang ang regalo at pambalot, the ribbons can do a lot to make it look special and expensive. 

 

Moving on to TABLE CENTERPIECES, Tita Frieda taught us how to create one using leaves, flowers and fresh fruits like oranges, pears and apples on sticks. I can say na “Certified Soshal” ang ginawa ni Tita.

 

 

Another tip she gave us is to STICK TO A THEME. Think of one and make sure its followed throughout the entire home. From the Christmas tree, to the centerpieces, pillowcases, candles, kahit hanggang sa kitchen.

 

 

When it comes to FOOD STYLING, I think Tita Frieda’s creations can speak for themselves. Tignan niyo naman…

 

“Gift Box” made from boiled chicken breast, artichokes,

walnuts, cream cheese and garnished with leeks and bell pepper.

Super ganda at super sarap!!!

 

Aside from Tita Frieda and her creations, what made the afternoon more beautiful were the people I spent it with (ang mga ka-table ko).

 

Che (of Bright Idea Events Management) and Rochelle of www.rochellerivera.com

 

From left: Rochelle (na parati ko na ngayon nakakasama sa events), the very pregnant and very pretty Maui (of Bright Idea Events Management),

Ako (very pretty lang), and

 Portia (also from Bright Ideas, who happens to be a former teacher at Assumption and class adviser ni E1. Small world!)

 

With Ging of www.fortyweeksandthensome.blogspot.com and her baby, Abby

 

Syempre, di pwedeng walang photo ops with the Martha Stewart of the South, Tita Frieda Colet Lim!

 

Close na kaya kami. Ayaw niyo maniwala?? Eto ang pruweba…

 

 

 

O diba??? 🙂

 

 

Thank you to Unilab and their PR Team for the invite and the freebies. Nag-enjoy talaga ako.

 

  

Unilab Life in your Hands’ beneficiaries include Haven for Women, an NGO taking care of battered women and teaching them how to empower themselves through livelihood projects. The above are some of their products, which are for sale at various bazaars including the one at the Filinvest Tent on November 23-24, 2013. Please visit their booth!

 

“Haven for Women” products wrapped beautifully using Tita Frieda’s ideas – perfect Christmas gift!!!

holiday ideas