10 days to go and the  “ber” month will be here.  Slowly but surely, there is no escaping from the month long festivities in the Philippines as December will usher in.  My husband brought home 3 big empty boxes for us to fill in with such as non-perishable food, household items, shoes, electronics, toys, designer clothing and toiletries.   The boxes are called balikbayan boxes (literally means retun to one’s homeland box) which we usually pack 3 months in advance calculating that it will arrive just in time for Christmas.   We will have it shipped by air which will take around 7 days or by sea cargo -about 45 days.  Freight forwarders are doing a brisk and lucrative business here because most Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are their costumers. It  has developed into a way of life of  the family of the overseas Filipino. 

We still have a lot of shopping to do so we can fill up the almost half full box.  The other two are already securely taped and once the other box is full, it is ready for shipment.  For sure, my children and relatives are looking forward for the boxes.  

There is joy in giving you know….