This year’s pandemic has led many of us to feel isolated and depressed. It has turned our lives upside down as we find ourselves confined at home most of the time. And it’s even more challenging as Christmas holiday comes closer with limited activities we can do or look forward to.

Gatherings are usually the way for us to reconnect with our barkada and family relatives. But with strict social distancing and quarantine measures, our usual meetups and dinner activities are now replaced with video chats and Zoom calls.

If there is one positive aspect that we can learn from this pandemic, being closer to our families has given us a chance to spend more quality time with them and build a stronger relationship. This Christmas holiday, why not celebrate it with extra festive and put together some bonding activities as turn to your old (or even new) family traditions?

Here are some ways how you can make your ChristMAS ‘mas masaya’ with the family:

1. Decorate your house (yes, and your kid’s room!)

As you spend time mostly at home (in your underpants), this is the best time to decorate your place as festively as you can. Unbox those Christmas trees, lights and ornaments and make your space the liveliest of them all. Christmas doesn’t mean you have to shop and purchase new things. Bonding over DIY garlands with your kids not only adds flair to your Christmas tree, and let you save money, but also ignite bonding. After all the challenges this year, we should all be thinking of more ‘madiskarte’ ways how to make the merriest Christmas without hurting our pockets.

2. Discount hunt

Challenge your family to a discount hunt! Whether offline or online, challenge your family to get the best prices for your groceries and other household items. Whatever is saved through the discount becomes spot money for the one who recommends the purchase! For example, All in One MAGGI Magic Sarap has a Christmas value promo where buyers can get one free tomato sauce for a pack of 42 pieces of 8 grams MAGGI Magic Sarap sachet. The savings incurred by the free tomato sauce becomes an incentive for the person who recommends it—a great way of teaching the whole family the value of penny-pinching!

3. Play games and go back to your yesteryears

Playing some board games or puzzle can be a relaxing time after noche buena. Want to reminisce your childhood years? Dig out your family photobook and you’ll notice how fast time flies. It might also be the best time to update your albums so make sure to get some old magazines, scissors and glue in handy.

4. Try something new with the whole family

Ask your family to list down one to two new menu items that they would like to have this Christmas while setting up a price limit. Want it to be more practical? Make “craving coupons” for your family—each coupon can get them a meal pass of their favourite dish! To make the dish of choice more flavourful, use the newest product from MAGGI–the MAGGI Supreme Sarap all-in-one cooking sauce! It is all-in-one because it has the perfect blend of soy, oyster, garlic, onion, and meaty flavour. It’s perfect for adobo, pancit, or any stir-fried dishes. Great timing because there’s a Buy 3 Get 3 intro promo for the 60g sachet where you can save Php36 pesos off of your every purchase.

5. Bond over noche buena

Food gives us a feeling of comfort and satisfaction. Thanks to YouTube and other video content platforms, we have a dozen of recipes to choose from. Do you have some heirloom recipes? Choose some of your favorites and add them on your noche buena list. Share them with your family and engage your kids as you prepare them. These dishes often remind us of home and a moment in time. If you’re unsure what to cook, you can visit www.maggi.ph/recipes for cooking inspiration or recommendations. Best to use a kitchen partner like an All-in-One Maggi Magic Sarap which can surely bring out the flavor these dishes as you create new memories with your family.

Christmas brings us a chance to have a celebration after all that’s happened this year. It is a time to reflect and be thankful that despite how hard this year is, you are still able to spend time and make lasting memories with your family. A Christmas Masaya Kayang Kaya indeed.

Visit www.maggi.ph for more magical and supreme recipes.