OO, TITA. TUMABA KA RIN.
Noche Buena is all about spending Christmas Eve with your loved ones as you share a banquet of delectable dishes and desserts— but it’s also about making awkward small talk with your relatives about your love life (or lack thereof) even though you’ve been ready to eat like yesterday.
Also check out: Your Birth Month as Noche Buena Food
In other words, Noche Buena can be a long haul for food-loving introverts; which is why we’ve created a Survival Guide to Noche Buena for when you’d rather just stay in your room, but have been forced to go and socialize.
Level 0: Last-Minute Plans for the Potluck
The pre-Christmas Day festivities rely on delicious food contributed by each guest, so coming in empty-handed might not be a good look. If you’re on a budget or you’re in a rush to buy food at the last minute, a multitude of restaurants offer affordable party platters, which you can read about here.
Or you know, if you truly can’t be bothered, you can always buy a Christmas Ham at the grocery, unwrap it, put it in a Pyrex, and make it look like you took the time to prepare a full meal. Fruit Salads are also a great last-minute idea, because all you have to do is dump fruit cocktail, sweetened condensed milk, and all-purpose cream in a bowl.
It only takes three ingredients for you to feel good about your cooking skills this Christmas. (Also magiging good shot ka kay Tita Baby and Tito Jun).
Click here to read the rest: 12 Unique Food Ideas For Your Christmas Potluck
Level 1: How to Make the Most Out of the Handaan?
Fill your plate with small portions of dishes that catch your attention. And don’t forget the lechon skin, of course. This will help you eliminate the dishes you think aren’t worth the calories when you have your second and third helpings.
Level 2: How to Avoid A Food Coma
Science Time! High-carb meals can cause your blood sugar to increase and then rapidly decrease, which is why you feel lightheaded and lethargic after.
We’re not saying ‘avoid rice and pancit forever’, because what even is lechon skin without rice? Instead, try grabbing some greens since they’re said to aid digestion and prevent the notorious ‘food coma’ state. If you can help it, it might be best to refuse that third cup of rice, too.
Noche Buena is also the adults’ time to “make chismis.” But instead of spilling the tea on other people, why not try drinking some? Tea is said to reduce bloating and relieve stomach pain, so make sure to bring a teabag or two.
Level 3: The Judgmental Tita
“Parang tumaba ka ah” “Graduate ka na ba?” “May boyfriend ka na ba?”
For some reason, statements to that effect seem to be the anthems of all titas. And if it’s one of the reasons you dread the Holidays, we hear you. Our number one tip is to respond gracefully. And who knows, you might get a funny tweet out of it. Here’s a list of some responses we’ve tried and tested:
Tita: "Parang tumaba ka ah."
Let our response be: "Kasing laki po ng sweldo ko."
Tita: "Graduate ka na ba?"
Let our response be: "AHM, I don't feel any pressure right now."
Tita: "May boyfriend ka na ba?"
Let our response be: "Gusto niyo po ba ng cake?"
Also read: 20 of the Best Cakes in Metro Manila for Celebrations
Okay, so not all of our responses have been graceful, but at least we tried. And if you’ve made it through Level 3 alive, congratulations! You can now sit down, have another serving of the Noche Buena left-overs, and go home with your dignity intact. Seriously, though. The Holiday season can be rough, so we hope that this survival guide helps you avoid the passive-aggressive relatives and allows you to enjoy your Noche Buena feast.
Happy Holidays from us! And since you’re here, Booky goes hard when it comes to giving you the best promos and offers in Metro Manila! Download Booky today and enjoy exclusive offers from our top partners in food, fitness, beauty, and more. We’ve even got some Holiday offers that you can show your titas and titos to divert their attention from you.
Keep tagging us on Instagram @bookyapp #bookymanila so we can join your food trips around the city. We see you!