#virtual thanksgiving dinner

[sanetimental]

Navigating Aloneness During The Thanksgiving Holiday

T

Thanksgiving, a holiday traditionally associated with family gatherings, feasting, and expressing gratitude, can be a challenging time for those who find themselves alone. The societal expectation of togetherness can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, navigating aloneness during Thanksgiving does not have to be a melancholic experience. With the right mindset and approach, it…

[nctsplug02]

johnny + sexting/videocalling when he's away on tour?? 🤒🤒🤒

Happy Thanksgiving! j.suh

GENRES: fluff, smut, phone sex, idol x non-celeb fem reader!

WARNINGS: phone sex.

the dinner you cooked an hour and a half ago was getting colder and colder by the minute but you were too drunk to even eat what you’d made.

wine and cooking dinner did not mix well, especially when you’re a light weight!

RING RING!

you lift your head off the counter and scrub your face with a sigh. “what time is it?”

you reach and grab your phone, hitting the green button. “hello?” silence. “hello?” you look at the screen with barely open eyes. “oh, oops.” you giggle to yourself and swipe the screen until it shows you’ve picked up.

“yes, hello?�� you put the speaker to your ear and rub your eyes.

“baby!” you wince and yank the phone away from your ear. “shit!” you hiss and rub your ear, looking at the screen to see your husband with his face up close.

it was a facetime call not an actual call.

“hellooo,” johnny says into the mic. “did i wake you up?” he pulls his face away and raises an eyebrow.

“just a little bit. i closed my eyes for five minutes… that’s all.” you smile and set your phone down against the bottle of wine.

“what were you doing before you knocked out?” you giggle and shake your head. “alright, i didn’t knock out. i only closed my eyes for a good five minute, i swear. but, i did a little bit of cooking and had a few glasses of wine while waiting for your call.”

johnny rests his phone on something and sits back on the beige couch. “what about you, handsome? finished with the concert, i see.” you rub the running mascara from under your eyes.

“mhm, i just got out of the shower. couldn’t stop thinking about you. i’m sorry i can’t be there for thanksgiving, my love.” johnny manspreads and sighs with a pout.

“i—it’s fine, baby.” you clear your throat and move your eyes back to johnnys face. “i’m just thankful that you’re with me spiritually and virtually.”

“spiritually?” johnny chuckles in a confusing tone. “yes, although you’re not here physically, i can feel your presence all around the house.”

“you sure it ain’t a ghost, baby?” johnny laughs when your face changes into a grumpy one. “shut up, don’t scare me like that!” you look around and hug yourself.

johnny laughs while shaking his head, his hand rubbing his jaw. “i was just kidding, my love.”

KNOCK KNOCK!

“room service,” johnny sits up. “looks like my dinner’s here.” he leaves the frame for a good two minutes before coming back.

you watch as johnny sets up the coffee table in front of him. “what’d you order for dinner, babe?” johnny pulls the top cover and reveals a juicy, thick steak. “steak,” he sets the top cover aside. “mashed potatoes and roasted, salted green beans on the side. all that topped off with some red wine.”

you moan and grab your phone, twirling yourself around hopping off the stool. “i wanna show you what i made for thanksgiving.”

“ouu, yeah! i’m excited and a bit sad to see what i’m missing out.” you giggle and walk towards the stove. “it’s really nothing. but, i didn’t want to cook a whole turkey since it’s just me so, i decided to go for something we usually don’t cook for thanksgiving.”

you reveal what’s sitting in your pot and johnny let’s out a horrified gasp. “what?! does it look bad?!” you turn the camera back to you.

“no, baby! i’m just… you cook seafood while i’m gone?!” you laugh and bite the tip of your finger. “well, i didn’t want turkey and mashed potatoes so, i went with what i was craving.”

“ugh, you’re gonna have to make that again but when i get back, please.” johnny groans. “i promise, baby.”

you put the top cover back on the pot and you go back to the stool. “i just brought a plate over to miss hapkins next door. she was telling me a few weeks ago that since her family wouldn’t be able to travel to her, she wasn’t going to do thanksgiving.”

johnny coos at you and tilts his head. “that’s what i love about you, baby. you’re so kindhearted and caring. i love that you decided to include miss hapkins in our thanksgiving.”

“but, now i really don’t wanna eat my steak anymore.” johnny chuckles and sighs. “i miss your cooking, babe.”

“it’s just two more weeks, john. just two more and then home meals are back.” you pick up your wine glass and the wine bottle. “just like you, i’m also having red wine.”

“1869?” you hum and set the bottle down after pouring it near the rim. “you bought that without me?” he whines and you just laugh. “i was gonna save it but… hey, i deserve a treat sometimes too.”

“of course you do, baby. always.” johnny actually picks up his fork and steak knife, cutting off a sliver of the juicy meat.

johnny holds up his piece and tilts his head so he’s in frame. “happy thanksgiving, my love.” he says.

“yes, happy thanksgiving, baby.” you hold up your wine glass, clinking the glass on your phone before taking a sip.

the sweet, rich taste of red wine melting down your throat.

“mmm,” you smack your lips and set your wine glass down. “how’s the steak, baby?” johnny nods with long hums, his eyes shutting as he takes in all the flavors. “it’s perfect. it’s juicy, flavorful, thick but melts on your tongue—mmm,” johnny sighs and cuts himself another piece.

you grab your phone, glass of wine, bottle of wine and you head to the living room.

“although,” you hum. “i prefer the way you make our steak over this.” you giggle and seat yourself on the love sack, setting the bottle of wine on the ground.

you hold up your glass again. “two more weeks, john. we can wait it out.” you take a sip.

johnny groans, “you know what else is in two more weeks?” you hum and ask, what. “your ovulation week.” your cheeks heat up. “once i get home, i’m not holding back, baby.” johnny shoves the meat into his mouth and chews.

“i am not drunk enough for this.” you laugh and shake your head. “what, you don’t wanna have a baby with me?”

“i’d love to have your baby but… i want to right now.” you could feel your panties dampen.

the thought of johnny fucking you full of his baby got you off. him going at you so many rounds that your swollen cunt is oozing out his cum. his slender fingers pushing his cum back in while whispering to you that there was no such thing as wasting good stuff.

“aw, baby.” johnny coos and sets down his knife and fork with a thud. “but, just like you said, two more weeks.”

you roll your eyes and chug the rest of your wine. “babe, you don’t even know how wet i am right now. i’m literally dripping all over our love sack.”

“i don’t believe you,” johnny sits back and groans. “how can i prove it to you?”

you knew exactly how johnny wanted you to prove it and you were trapping yourself in it.

“show me your pretty pussy and let me be the judge of how wet you are.” you bite your lip, eyes moving down to his now visible bulge. “my eyes are up, baby.” you giggle and move your eyes up.

“c’mon, take off your pants and show me how wet i make you.”

the tone of his voice is like a spell, your shorts and panties are pooled on the ground and your body is twisted in a way where johnny can see your pussy.

“fuck, y/n.” johnny growls lowly and cries out. “i wish i was home right now. i’d take you so hard on that love sack.”

“move yourself to the couch and put your phone down, baby. prop it up with the candles on the coffee table.” you listen to johnnys directions and you move yourself to the black couch, propping up your phone with the cherry red and white candles.

“that’s perfect, baby—fuck, y/n!” johnny grabs himself through his sweats.

“touch yourself, baby.” johnny undoes the strings of his sweats. “i wanna see you play with yourself.”

you lay back so that you’re barely propped up with your knees to your chest and arm between your legs. your fingers massaging your clit and ever so then dipping inside your hole just to tease johnny.

“that’s it, baby. pinch your clit.” you squeal when pinching your clit with your fingers.

johnny pulls himself free, he’s rock hard, precum oozing from his tiny slit. “finger yourself, baby.” you dip a finger into your hole.

“fuck, it just slipped in like nothing…” johnny groans, flexing as he smears the precum around his head.

“just a little faster, baby.” you whimper and pick up your pace, dropping your head back and shutting your eyes. “add another finger.” you add a second finger, shuddering at the slight stretch.

johnny curses under his breath and picks his pace with his strokes. “how does it feel, baby.” you shake your head, bottom lip caught between your teeth.

“not the same,” johnny pauses his strokes. “what do you mean, baby?” your eyes water up, “it’s not the same, johnny.” your legs fall together and your fingers come to a stop.

“we can make it feel like it’s the same, baby. i want you to keep your eyes closed and listen to my voice. imagine it’s me who’s pleasuring you.”

“it won’t be the sam—“

“just listen to my voice, baby.” johnny whispers. “listen to my voice and listen to how i want you to touch yourself.”

you take deep breaths, breathing out slowly and quietly while johnny softly hums.

“let’s backtrack, alright, beautiful?” your lips twitch into a faint smile. “i want you to touch yourself, not finger but touch your clit for me.”

your fingers find their way on your clit, softly rubbing and pinching your clit.

“that’s it, baby.” johnny pulls off his shirt. “don’t cry, take deep breaths, alright?” you nod and rub eights on your clit.

“you have the cutest pussy. cute little pussy that struggles to take my dick.” you moan and ball up your fist, sinking your teeth into the flesh, hard enough so that your teeth leave light indents.

you’re too busy listening to johnnys voice to even notice that johnny had pulled out a cotton fabric. “let’s skip past one finger and do two, i know you can do it.”

with your middle and ring finger, you slip the two into your cunt and let out a cry of pleasure. “oh, fuck.” you gasp and softly jerk forward. “that’s it, gorgeous. look how good you’re taking my fingers.”

johnny wraps the cotton material around his cock and begins to stroke himself. “fuck, baby. you feel so good.”

whimpers slip past your lips as you pick up your pace, the heel of your palm rubbing against your clit, giving you more friction and more pleasure.

“that’s it, y/n. take all of me like a good slut.” johnny moans and strokes himself faster. “faster, baby.” you whimper and gasp repeatedly while your fingers rub your g-spot.

“j—johnny,” you dig your nails into your thighs that hold your legs in place. “i—i’m gonna c—cum.”

“mhm,” johnny hums, his hands fisting tightly around his cock. “cum for me, y/n. show me who makes you feel good.”

your pants and moans filling up the room while your orgasm crashes over you. your legs shake and tremble, and your body jerks repeatedly like you’d been shocked. your fingers slowly and desperately still fingering your cunt.

“s—shit, i’m cumming. fuckfuckfuck!” johnny groans loudly.

johnny balls up his shirt and bites down on the fabric, covering up his moans and whimpers. his fist stroking the tip and painting his abs with white ling streaks.

“oh, fuck…” johnny slowly fucks his fist, his angry red tip popping up every second. “so fucking good.” johnny sighs, letting his hand drop and melting into the couch.

“you made a mess.” you giggle when finally pulling the strength to sit up.

johnny lifts his head and looks at his screen, seeing you barely sat up with your wet pussy on display for johnny to see.

“i made a mess?” johnny scoffs with a sexy smirk. “look at the mess you made.” you smile at him and shake your head.

“i can’t believe i got off to your voice, again.” you groan and grab your phone. “again?” johnny laughs and sits up, grabbing a few tissue from the table near him and cleaning himself up.

“is that my—wow, johnny. you’re gonna make fun of me for getting off on your voice but you’re jerking off with my panties that i’ve been looking for for a month!”

“well, i couldn’t bring you so i improvised.” johnny says a defensive tone. “whatever.” you laugh and shake your head in disbelief.

shuffling can be heard from johnnys side. “geez, it’s already one in the morning.” johnny says as he flips on a light. “already? it feels like we just got on the phone.” you frown and roll off the couch, making your way to the bathroom.

“we’ve been on the phone for over an hour, babe.” johnny says with a laugh. “it felt shorter but anyway, i’m gonna take a quick shower and i’ll call you back in fifteen.”

“why can’t we just keep calling?” johnny frowns and he flips the lights off and hugs his pillow. “because i need my phone to play music so i can karaoke.” you start the shower. “i bought you an ipad, laptop, and second phone for a reason.”

you roll your eyes, propping up your phone on the sink. “you’re so clingy.”

johnny scoffs, “says the one who gets off to my voice.”

you pull off your shirt, “at least i don’t need your boxers to help me do so.” you drop your bra and shirt.

“fuck you.”

you step into the shower. “i love you too.”

AN| hiiii, i know i’ve been really inactive but life is getting so rough right now and it’s really kicking my ass. happy thanksgiving, babies! i love you all and i am very thankful to have a growing account with all those who support and love me and my work. i’m trying my best to write with all my free time but yk sneakylink takes it all up. i know i dragged the end but we don’t talk about it HAHAHSJA. anywho, thank you anon for requesting this!!! happiest thanksgiving! 🩷

[intheshadowsbehindyou]

Hello! I was wondering if you could write about the Merc's with a gn! reader who loves baking?

Btw, I love your writing style! It all feels so accurate and it's helping to feed this new fixation of mine <3 <3

I see we have some food lovers in the askbox, chat. *crackles knuckles* you ask, and daddy delivers.

Mercs with somebody who gives them food

Scout:

- Depends on your current location. The gravel wars isn’t short of moving from place to place. If it’s somewhere like japan he’ll go full weeb mode and eat nothing but fish related dishes. You know speed racer? In the fucked up TF2 universe there’s a speed racer themed restaurant. Take him there. (On second thought maybe don’t go eating with him in Japan he might eat the Hiroshima rocks.)

- He swears he’s on a diet but it’s inconsistent as fuck. This is the same guy who canonically eats radiation we’re talking about here. You hand him some warm bread you baked and he’s ecstatic. You catch him sprinkling something on his slice. It’s grounded up like pepper. He’s like “This? This shit is fuckin’ perfect. The person who owns my gym back in boston recommended it for energy. Tastes great.” You read the label and you realize it’s grounded up uranium.

- If you make him homemade fried chicken he’ll nearly choke up. Seriously. nobody’s ever done that for him before. Giving him food in general is also his love language but chicken? He thinks you want to marry him forever and ever now.

—————————————————————

Soldier:

- You don’t really know what soldier likes.. He doesn’t make anything very evident and tries his hardest to make his one defining trait being that he’s a veteran. But you know that’s not true. You decide to make him some sandwiches and he’s confused. “Huh.. Well that’s some weird tasting MREs. Not complaining. It’s actually really good. Shame that civilians can’t get the same luxury right now.” He says. You have no idea how to explain that WW2 is virtually nonexistent anymore.

- Finally you settle with something. Honey with warm bread. Instead of eating slices like a normal person he just swallows the entire loaf like a snake. You are worried for this man’s intestines. He seems to be fine however.

- Gives you either a romantic or platonic kiss on the head. Your pick. His breath smells sugary and sweet and you nuzzle your head against his collarbone in response. This is his way of showing he appreciated the food.

———————————————————————

Demoman:

- I sure hope you’re capable of producing stew because that’s all he eats when he isn’t unhealthily suppressing his own hunger with scrumpy.

- You get him to eat a variety of food somehow. Although he’s picky, he isn’t impossible either. Due to growing up in an orphanage he was no stranger to having to cook for himself at times when the caretakers just really didn’t care. You exchange recipes. For some reason he has an entire Scottish cookbook under his bed. As well as a book on “Leonerdo Da Fuq’s Basic Guide To blowing Sentries Up. And making it look like an accident.”

- He’s very thankful. Demoman’s not much of a foodie. He eats to live rather than lives to eat. But your snacks hit different. They’re made with your love. That’s why they’re so much better than what he typically eats.

—————————————————————-

Engineer:

- WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU THATS HIS JOB. HE’S THE OVERBEARING GRANDMOTHER THAT WONT STOP SHOVING FOOD INTO HER KIDS MOUTH!!! NOT YOU!!!

- He eats everything you give him. Even if it doesn’t particularly tickle his fancy. His belly is big and swollen afterwards and you want to squish him so bad. That’s a pillow waiting to be laid on. He then tells you fond memories of thanksgiving and when his mother would cook his family an entire turkey dinner.

- He responds twofold by making you something as well. You wake up one day to find an entire breakfast platter laid on your end table. There’s a little sticky note there and although it doesn’t have a name on it — the dash alongside the expertly drawn symbol of his class is evident enough. Only somebody with expertise in blueprints would draw something like that. Hint hint.

——————————————————————

Heavy:

- Heavy isn’t a dumbass by any means but this is a certified Heavy L situation. He thinks you’re trying to offend him at first because people call him fat on a regular basis. Medic explains from afar that actually it’s a gesture meant to express hospitality, and upon realizing you were just being nice he looks embarrassed and rubs the back of his neck.

- Lets you spoon feed him your food. He likes it for some reason. He likes any kind of meat, and protein. He eats that shit everyday. Not just that but dark chocolate and other bitter tasting foods as well. Despite his massive size he doesn’t actually eat large portions at a time.

- He knows how to make mostly deserts. Takes on a sort of mentor role and tries to teach you how to bake cakes and stuff like that. You’ve never seen Heavy in such a domesticated setting. Watching him go about cooking without breaking somebody’s skull in for once was actually kind of surreal.

————————————————————————-

Pyro:

- Cook / get them nothing but sweets. They won’t eat anything else. You begin to wonder if Pyro is even remotely human because of how much unhealthy food they eat. (But then again you’ve seen soldier survive losing both his arms and Medic sowing them back on. It’s probably fine.)

- They are unbelievably excited to see you walk into the room with plates and/or boxes. You’ve unintentionally pavloved them into associating it with your food. They clap and make grabby hands. Wanting to see what sweets you’ve brought them.

- It’s actually quite odd.. You see them retreat into their quarters to eat their food. It’s clear they’ve eaten it because they always take the plates back but you’re never allowed to see them eat directly. They don’t attend dinner with the other mercs or even breakfast.

- DO NOT LET THEM NEAR THE FUCKING OVEN. DO NOT LET THEM COOK. THE ADMINISTRATOR MADE IT AGAINST THE RULES TO LET PYRO NEAR THE STOVE.

————————————————————————-

Sniper:

- “Bloody hell.. This for me?” His voice hiked up a little. A little shocked that somebody would even consider making or buying him food in the first place, Only his parents ever did that for him. He takes it hesitantly but his expression doesn’t seem negative. Just incredibly dumbfounded. You had got him some donuts from a market in tuefort. You figured it would go well with his coffee.

- Immediately starts eating them. Sniper is both a meats sort of guy and a sweets sort of guy. Looks from side to side to make sure nobody saw him take your offer. That would be a embarrassing. He grabs the entire box and retreats into his camper van like a rat.

- He then slowly opens the door.. “Oh, right. Bugger. This is typically the moment I comfortably invite you in.” He cringes at the thought. Leaving the door open for you, and moving aside to let you in. He begins telling you the basics about how to hunt your food. For some reason it’s all incredibly dangerous aussie animals though. Some of the stuff doesn’t sound edible but he’s apparently eaten. He’s especially passionate about how to properly cook crocodiles.

———————————————————————-

Medic:

- Pretentiously nitpicks the fact you brought him cupcakes. Citing his knowledge about how too much sugar consumption can kill you… whilst simultaneously eating the cupcakes.

- “Even worse yet —- they ruin your dental health. Hoo, i’d hate to be on the receiving end of a tooth filling by an angry dentist.” He says, shoving more of your sweets into his face. You wonder if he’s even self aware of what he’s doing to be honest. “Although I do envy their sadism! It’s much worse than mine, actually — Das schmeckt gut.” He adds.

- He frowns. You knew Medic had loved cupcakes in particular so you were confused at first. Well it wasn’t that. In fact it was something more stupid. “Well then again the consumption of sugar is important for our bodies, I must add. With the wrong diet we could die from low blood sugar. I wonder if it is possible to extract all the sugar from a human body using a sort of giant homebrewed syringe. It is in theory possible for me to—“ The man is at his chalkboard writing down mathematical equations again.

———————————————————————-

Spy:

- When you give him food for the first time he’s unbelievably pouty. Couldn’t you have asked him his tastes first? He hesitantly eats what you give him anyway. As long as it isn’t fried, fast food, candy or anything that wasn’t expensive as fuck.

- Incredibly good table manners. Incredibly good at cooking his native cuisine. For some reason he’s intent on insisting that french food is superior than any other food. When you’re eating with him he straightens your posture, politely puts your napkin in your lap and schools you on the fact you’re not using your salad fork or whatever. There’s way too much pointless shit on his table. Who the fuck created all these weirdly specific rules?

- Eventually he’s so tired from trying to teach you he loses his temper and crosses his arms like a discontent toddler while you eat nonchalantly. “What?” You say. Using the wrong fork again. He’s still staring at you. “What?!” You repeat yourself. “I love you, Spy.” You say. Shoving more food into your mouth. He keeps glaring at you.

[taste-thewaste]

WIP Wednesday 11.13.2024

Thanks for the tag @tailsbeth-writes!

Hi everybody, hope y'all are doing okay. I know I'm struggling more than a bit rn lol. Regardless, I am trucking forward and trying to get back into writing because it makes me feel a little better.

I've decided to start a holiday series!! I've been toying with this idea for a while and I think now's the time. So here's a snippet from what will be my first holiday, Thanksgiving. Not too exciting, but oh well.

When Alex had broached the subject of potentially having a solo Thanksgiving–despite the fact that he was on break from school, he was still drowning in case studies and papers to write–he wasn’t sure Henry would go for it. They’d been invited, of course, to the White House, where his mother was hosting a large, traditional Thanksgiving dinner that would involve pressed suits and making polite conversation with virtual strangers.  “I don’t know if I can stand it,” Alex had confessed to Henry while they’d lain together in bed, propped on his side and staring into those blue eyes that meant everything to him. “I have so much work to do and I just… want it to be us. It’s our first Thanksgiving together. What do you say?”  So they’d politely declined his mother’s invite, begging off because of Alex’s schoolwork, about which she’d understood, and leaving out the part where they’d both rather choke on a turkey bone than exchange needless pleasantries with department heads. 

tagging: @england-would-fall @henrysfox @lfg1986-2 @eusuntgratie @bigassbowlingballhead

@basil-bird @stratocumulusperlucidus @firstprincehornyramblings @run-for-chamo-miles @catdadacd

@insecuregodcomplex @reginamillls @thighzp @anti-homophobia-cheese @caterpills

@sophie1973

[numbers-31-blog]

Is Satanism Just Hedonism?

I don't see Satanism as promoting hedonism if by 'hedonism' you mean a philosophy that posits physical pleasure as the highest good and sole purpose of life. You have to keep in mind that Satanism is a reaction against Christianity, a religion that, far from being hedonistic, actually regards pleasure as intrinsically evil. For example: in the Christian denomination I was raised in, you weren't even allowed to indulge in simple, wholesome pleasures such as playing a game of basketball with your friends or enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner with your family. You couldn't attend a school prom or even give a Valentines card to someone you had a crush on (dating was, of course, totally out of the question). Virtually any extravocational activity that didn't involve church was a sin in this religion and so naturally we regarded nonbelievers as debauched 'hedonists' who only lived for pleasure. So that is all this 'hedonism' accusation amounts to: a prude who can't make the distinction between some sexually promiscuous drug fiend who's made their own addictions the end all and be all of existence, as opposed someone who recognizes that enjoyment has its place, that it a necessary and perfectly legitimate part of embodied existence. For an ascetic, a gourmand may as well be a glutton, a wine connoisseur a drunkard, a woman who so much as smiles at a man from across the room a slut. It's a straw man argument.

[rhia-falla]

@cinnamonfm when: thanksgiving dinner where: the restroom just outside the commons

The fluff of her sweater itched her neck, and Rhia pulled at her collar as if it would make this night less suffocating for her. This was the first time her parents were paying a visit to the campus, and despite it being at her behest she worried what their presence might bring to light for her peers. She liked it better when her mother wanted nothing to do with her, now she watched helplessly as she played the role of the doting matriarch. It made her stomach twist into knots, watching as her mother brought forth tales and lies about their closeness with ease. Only an hour had passed before Rhia broke off from them, muttering excuses about touching up in the restroom.

She watched herself pout in the mirror, trying to come up with any reason to conclude the night early. Before Acacia had the chance to humiliate her. Rhia heaved a big sigh, touching up the wing of her eyeliner to distract from her growing anxiety. The longer they were out of their sight, the more opportunity they had to snoop in her life. She hadn't noticed when Heni slipped beside her, though it was a given she'd run into somebody she knew while hiding away in the restroom. She wondered if the brunette was having just as hard a time as she was, but it was hard to tell given Rhia knew virtually nothing about her home life. "Weird seeing so many people packed in there," Rhia said politely. Though, the only notable difference about this family event was her own parents' attendance. "Your folks make it in?" she asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

[xoxomoonlightxoxo]

P&C | Ch. 9: Almost Had You

➪ Playlist (Spotify) l Series Masterlist

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … 

The countdown appeared on the screen, setting off a bright flash as Jungkook and I posed for the photos. The sequence of the first 3 captures was cute, just us acting out our respective characters or pretending to be disgusted by one another. That is until I'm inches away from Jungkook's face, both of us hiding behind his hat. I let out a small gasp, his gaze lowered on my lips. 

“Wha … what?” I try to speak before the camera flashes again. Looking up at my confused eyes, he lets out a chuckle, scooting closer as we observe the printed photos. 

“Jungkook, what the heck?” I say, hitting his forearm. “I can't show these to anyone now” I point to the last photo, which does not fit our friendly theme. 

“Why not? Nothing happened,” he grins, leaning his head back. 

“Nothing happened my ass, it's obviously suggestive,” I roll my eyes. 

“Let their imagination run wild then. I'm putting mine in my wallet, you can put yours on your bulletin board, I heard manifesting is popular these days,” he lets out a teasing chuckle, scrunching his nose. 

“HA HA HA, who says I want you anyways?” I reply cockily, twirling my hair.  

“You don't have to say it Peaches, your cheeks speak for themselves,” he grins, whispering into my ear. The concept of personal space is virtually nonexistent at this point. He is such a tease. But I’m not so innocent either, moving closer, I strategically place my hand on his chest, our lips inches apart. I can tell he is enjoying this from the way his breathing slows. Looking up at his closed eyes, I can’t help but smile, caressing the scar on his left cheek. He melts into my touch but I can’t let him win so easily. 

The burning sensation between us is disrupted as I suddenly move my face to the side, letting out an innocent ‘oops’. Jungkook grins and rests his forehead on mine, goosebumps covering my skin as I feel his breath on my neck. 

“Almost had you,” he says softly, eyes still closed, and before I can reply his lips touch my cheek. Eyes wide, I look up at his form which is now heading toward the door. 

“YAH” I yell, before making sure we didn’t leave anything behind. After saying goodbye to the staff, we zipped up and walked back to the car. My cheeks still flushed. 

--

Jiah: Hey lovely, I know you can’t go back home for Thanksgiving, so I’m arranging a trip for us. 

Mira: Oh babes, you don’t have to. That’s too much trouble. We can just have a sleepover or something … 

Jiah: Babe, a sleepover at our grown age? 

Mira: We had one last week … :(

Jiah: Whatever, I want this for us. My aunt will be out of town for next week and said we could use her cottage. Please pack according to the weather but also grab a few swimsuits ;)) 

Before I can reply, my phone rings, no caller ID. 

“Hello?”

“Hey Flip-flops, it’s me Tae,’” from his voice I can just tell he is giving me a boxy smile right now. 

“Tae, did you change your number?” I ask, putting him on speakerphone as I begin prepping for dinner. 

“Yeah, I dropped my phone into the toilet but everyone else thinks I broke it while biking, so you better keep your lips shut,” he chuckles. What a goof. “Anyways, I was gonna get food from the dining hall, do you want to join me?” 

“Oh …” I giggle looking down at the cut potatoes and carrots. “Yeah, sure,” I quickly reply, putting everything back into the fridge. 

“Sick, I’ll meet you downstairs in say 5 minutes?” 

“Sure, I’ll see you then,” 

--

As the elevator doors open, I can see Tae standing beside the entrance. Wearing his orange tracksuit he looks like Vector from Despicable Me, but I pass on the opportunity to tease him. Instead, we exchange waves and make our way inside. 

The dining hall is less busy than usual as most people have already left back home for the holiday. Unfortunately, only the ones that are separated from their family by an actual ocean are left on campus. I have already been feeling homesick since school started but seeing the empty libraries and lecture halls is setting off an array of emotions within me. It’s the first year I won’t be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family, and I know both parties are accepting it with a very heavy heart. The last time I talked with my mom she told me that she found my dad looking at my baby picture in his wallet for what seemed like hours. Poor guy only shows emotions when he thinks no one is watching. My mom on the other hand began crying as soon as I accepted her call. 

Grabbing an extra strawberry milk, Tae and I walk towards an empty table. By the looks of our stuffed platter, it’s obvious that this would be our first meal of the day. 

“So, where did you go after class yesterday? You left in a hurry, is everything alright?” he asks, offering me some kimchi which I forgot to grab. I kindly accept it, trying to think of a reasonable scenario that would not include Jungkook kissing my cheek. 

“Oh, I um, had to drop off Jungkook’s clothes,” I quickly reply with a soft smile, hoping that the conversation would end there. 

“So, what are you guys?” I choke from his straightforwardness. He doesn’t walk around the point but rather plunges head-first into it. 

“Pardon?” I exclaim, wiping the strawberry milk dripping down my chin. 

“Well, I mean, from all the years I’ve known Jungkook he has never been this interactive with a girl. Concerning really,” he exclaims, chuckling at the mess I made. 

“We’re just friends,” I reassure him. “But, what, you mean to tell me he has never had a girlfriend before? The Jungkook? Can’t be,” I grin, raising my eyebrow, cracking my back on the wooden chair. 

“He has, but it never lasted more than 3 months, and after his last relationship, it seemed like he gave up on it altogether,” Tae explains, finishing up the last scoops of his fried rice. “That is until you guys met,” he grins. 

“Oh stop it,” I chuckle, rolling my eyes. 

“What? You don’t find him attractive?”

“No,” I quickly reply, letting out a teasing grin. You can smell the lie from miles away and Tae is not a fool, but sarcasm has become one of my most valuable coping mechanisms. 

“I totally get it, I’m still not sure why we’re not together?” he looks me dead in the eyes, taking a bite of his apple. 

“You can suck my toe at a 45-degree angle, Kim Taehyung,” I snap back, blowing a sarcastic kiss, earning a big chuckle. 

“Kinky, just how I like,” he catches the kiss and places it near his heart. We both burst out laughing at how stupid we sound. I’m comfortable with Tae but neither of us actually wants to be anything more than friends. We suit the roles of besties just fine, and unlike Jungkook, Tae is a girl magnet. In virtually every setting you will be able to spot him with multiple girls surrounding him. 

--

It was the night before our departure, so my dorm had become an absolute rat nest. At this point, I don’t even remember the colour of my carpet under all the scattered clothes. The weather is getting chillier but does not require a coat just yet, so I stick to packing cardigans and hoodies. Sneaking in two pairs of swimsuits as per Jiah’s request, I doubt they’ll even see the light of day because I can’t swim. Actually, that’s a lie, just give me 10 minutes in the pool and I’ll be able to function but in literally any other scenario I will 100% drown. 

My thoughts are interrupted by an incoming Facetime call, it's Jungkook. Quickly taming my second-day hair I check my reflection on the TV, it's 11 pm so I’m not about to radiate ethereal energy but a little touch-up wouldn’t hurt.  

“Hi Peaches,” Jungkook smiles, resting his head on his arm. Cozied up in his white duvet, my eyes are still able to make out the tattoos on his exposed biceps. 

“Hey, why aren’t you sleeping?” I quickly reply, placing my phone against the fruit bowl, as I continue packing. 

“Couldn’t fall asleep so I decided to see if you were up,” he explains, leaning in closer to check what I was wearing. Because I had to wash all of my clothes for the trip, I was down to some spandex shorts and a tank top. Not spending much thought on it I continued to pack, completely oblivious to the amount of exposed skin I was showing. 

“Bring those shorts on the trip,” he suggests letting out a teasing grin. 

“Would you like that?” I play along, as he nods with his big doe eyes sparkling in the candlelight. 

“You should bring a pen to sign the restraining order I’m about to write,” I grin, sending a flying kiss to his dumbfounded state. He laughs at my quick comeback and we spend the rest of the night talking about the trip. 

“I’ll pick you and Tae up early in the morning so please make sure he actually wakes up,” he says as soft yawns escape his mouth. I nod and dive into my warm duvet. After mentally checking that everything had been packed, we both set our alarm clocks before falling asleep on call. 

Previous l Next

[captain-hawks]

Haven't popped by with a (non-weenie) virtual dinner invite in a while so pls have a seat because I finally recovered from adenovirus and was craving lamb.

It's a vietnamese sa te+garlic+scallion breaded rack of lamb, crispy roasted brussel sprouts with fish sauce caramel dressing, porcini farro, jammy shallot green beans, and crispy pan-fried butter shoyu king trumpet mushrooms!

Also made my favorite november community tart with a bunch of twists: hazelnut cardamom crust, orange+calamansi mascarpone cheesecake layer and topped with a black pepper+rosemary cranberry curd. I'm gonna be so real with you if you were here irl I wouldn't serve this bc I'm not happy with how my experimental flavors came out tbh. But I'll just make another non-experimental one to share with our neighbors+barista buds when I'm back from American thanksgiving hehe

i'm so glad you're feeling better<3<3<3!!!!!!!

so i don't know whether to laugh or cry that i opened this after scraping away at the crumbs at the bottom of a giant bag of popcorn LOL. BUT WHERE DO I BEGIN. brussels sprouts are my favourite veggie, so i am absolutely seated for yours! everything looks absolutely fantastic 😭. i'm unashamedly drooling (as per usual). and i'm v intrigued by those mushrooms????

and i would still be sneaking a slice of the tart anyway. you had me at cheesecake!! i would gladly be your kitchen lab rat and just stand there waiting to try all of your experiments lmao.

i hope you have a lovely thanksgiving my wonderful friend<3!

[myteavsricochet]

Firstly I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well dear. Sending you a virtual hug 🫂 and lots of love ❤️

Also fuck those people who are complaining about what you post. I understand wanting to escape to here all too room.

I'm here with distraction questions!

1, Assign 1-3 Taylor Swift songs each to Alex, Henry, Firstprince (as a relationship), Taylor and Nick

2, The deleted rwrb scene that you want to see the most?

3, if Taylor and Nick were to do a non rwrb project together, what genre would you like to see them in?

4, what was your dream job as a kid?

5, is there anything specific thing that reminds you of a happy childhood memory? (ex: for me it's the smell of old books which remind me of reading in my primary schools library)

6, What's your favorite colour and what's your favorite colour to wear?

No pressure in answering, but just hope this can help you a bit!

Take care of yourself love ❣️

ehy love, thank you for this message ❤️‍🩹

1: Assign 1-3 Taylor Swift songs each to Alex, Henry, Firstprince (as a relationship), Taylor and Nick

henry: obviously the archer

alex: mirrorball

firstprince: daylight, call it what you want, miss americana & the heartbreak prince

taylor: probably style

nick: london boy

2: The deleted rwrb scene that you want to see the most?

I would absolutely say the post paris scene, the one of the bloopers and the thanksgiving scene

3: if Taylor and Nick were to do a non rwrb project together, what genre would you like to see them in?

I would like another romcom for them, or a comedy where they play friends or something action/thriller where they are rivals

4: what was your dream job as a kid?

unfortunately I started to suffer too soon and my dreams abandoned me almost immediately but as a child I dreamed of being a translator ❤️‍🩹

5: is there anything specific thing that reminds you of a happy childhood memory? (ex: for me it's the smell of old books which remind me of reading in my primary schools library)

I would simply tell you the scent and warmth of pizza because when I was a child we were used to preparing it at home every Saturday and having part of the family with us for dinner, it was a tradition that stopped over time

6: What's your favorite colour and what's your favorite colour to wear?

I love pink and I wear mostly black and colorful hoodies

love you 🫂

[nakukuu]

hi mutuals i’m holding a virtual thanksgiving dinner tomorrow <3

talk about your favorite food, tell someone what you’re thankful for <3

[spurious]

getting to know you tag

tagged by my desire to do a tag meme! and i found this one and it's interesting

Relationship Status: married 💖💞💟💕

Favorite Color: pink! fun fact i used to absolutely hate pink growing up, then i realized it is actually great.

Favorite Food: does cheese count as an answer? i love cheese so much.

Song Stuck in My Head: actually nothing right now weirdly? i just sat for several moments trying to listen to the inside of my head but i guess the brain radio is off.

Last thing you Googled: "define moribund"

Time: 9:00 AM on the dot

Dream Trip: oh goodness i don't know! i'd like to visit more of Europe as I've only been to Germany so far.

Last Thing You Read: my work emails

Last Book You Enjoyed Reading: really loved Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series

Favorite Thing to Cook/Bake: baking stresses me out because it's a much more exact science than cooking. my favorite thing to cook is the Thanksgiving dinner I make for me and my wife every year while listening to Alice's Restaurant in the background :3

Favorite Craft to do in Your Free Time: crochet my beloved

Most Niche Dislike: i have a really visceral discomfort with virtual pets? they make me feel sad.

Opinion on Circuses: with animals? sad. cirque du soleil or whatever? go off!

Do You Have Any Sense of Direction: i like to think i do? but not like, a great one.

Non-Binding Tagging: @audioletter @books-space-things @hero-in-waiting @gingerpolyglot @sga-owns-my-soul @alienfuckeronmain @texasdreamer01

[septembersghost]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/30/entertainment/tony-bennett-jason-aldean-blake-cec/index.html I thought of you when I saw this!

🥺❤ thank you, i appreciate this! that guy the piece is critiquing does not deserve the energy or space, but i love what this says about the importance of timing, collaboration, and inclusion in jazz and in music, and the effect that has.

"Many of the tributes to Bennett mentioned his disdain for bigotry. He was demoted for bringing a Black soldier home for Thanksgiving dinner during World War II; spoke of how he “saw no things a human being should ever have to see” while helping liberate a Nazi death camp; joined marches during the civil rights movement; and did extensive philanthropic work.

What some of those tributes missed, though, is that Bennett’s activism didn’t occur in a vacuum. He had great role models. Many White jazz artists were antiracists, long before the word was invented.

Frank Sinatra, Bennett’s musical mentor, recorded with and relentlessly championed Black jazz artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. When Sinatra once noticed singer Nat King Cole eating dinner in a hotel dressing room, he invited him to the main dining room, where Black people were not allowed. Sinatra then warned the hotel’s management that he would get the entire serving staff fired if they didn’t integrate the dining hall.

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck led the first integrated band in the US Army during World War II. He hired a Black jazz bassist, Eugene Wright, and refused to play in segregated venues.

The big band leader, Benny Goodman, brought a half-dozen Black musicians with him onstage at Carnegie Hall in 1938 when it, and virtually all performance venues, were segregated.

Bennett’s activism was an outgrowth of his music, not a complement to it. His relationships with Black people may not seem like a big deal now, but he and others risked their careers to stand up for Black artists during the Jim Crow era. At a time when most White Americans saw Black people as servants, Bennett called musicians like Ellington and Louis Armstrong geniuses who created what some call “America’s only true art form.”

“Jazz is an African American art form. People don’t realize how creative and intelligent it is,” Bennett said in one interview. “It’s elongated improvisation, which never happened before in the history of art. It’s a great art form that’s loved throughout the world.”

Bennett belongs to a generation of jazz artists who created one of the nation’s first multiracial communities. There are countless photos of a beaming Bennett hanging out with Black jazz artists. Ellington, who Bennett called “my muse,” was virtually a member of Bennett’s family.

When Lionel Hampton, a Black member of Goodman’s band, was asked why Goodman risked his career to bring White and Black artists together, he responded:

“He said we need the White keys and the Black keys to play together to make good harmony. And that’s what he did.”

[...] That collaborative spirit, of course, is not confined to jazz. It exists in all music genres – including country.

[...] But the peculiar demands of playing jazz music — musicians improvising and responding to one another’s solos in a group setting — is one reason some say that no musical genre captures the democratic spirit in America as perfectly as jazz.

“Jazz means working things out musically with other people,” the jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis once said. “You have to listen to other musicians and play with them even if you don’t agree with what they’re playing. It teaches you the very opposite of racism and anti-Semitism. It teaches you that the world is big enough to accommodate us all.”

[...] Bennett assured listeners that “the best is yet to come.” He refused to pander to audiences, insisting that the sole purpose of art was “truth and beauty.” He reached across racial lines, cultures and generations to find common ground.

There was nothing small about the man or his music...Bennett sang for the ages."

[johnlovestaylorswift]

I finished my freshman year of high school today. I did the first half of 9th grade in person and then switched back to virtual. Therefore I came down to Florida for the winter. This is a month by month breakdown of freshman year. September: start of school which I dreaded… the teachers were nice! The kids were okay I guess. I don’t have a lot of friends so I’m definitely not in the cool kid group (that’s okay tho!). October: my favorite holiday is Halloween so it’s Halloween month. I decorated in August though. So we did some pumpkin picking and Halloween activities and I also lost my dog. Halloween was fun and I met with a friend to go trick or treating. November: I had a nice thanksgiving walk and dinner with family. We did some Black Friday shopping, longgggggg lines. December: Me and Taylor share the same birthday month!!! I turned 15. Christmas was good. January: I stayed up until midnight to ring in 2023. I came down to Florida in late January. February: Valentine’s Day month… I don’t have anyone yet. March: boringggg not much happened. April: Easter was good. Saw Taylor on 4/15. Best night of my life ever!!!! May: adopted my new puppy Taylor.

@taylorswift @taylornation

[pivotalmoments0]

Why Pumpkin Candles Make the Perfect Fall Gift?

As the crisp air of autumn ushers in a new season, it brings with it the unmistakable scents, colors, and cozy ambiance of fall. One of the most delightful and thoughtful ways to embrace this season is by gifting a pumpkin candle. The scent of pumpkin is iconic during the fall, and the warm glow of a candle creates an inviting atmosphere that makes any space feel more cozy and festive. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for a friend, family member, or even a colleague, pumpkin candles are a timeless choice. This article explores why pumpkin candles make the perfect fall gift and why they should be at the top of your gifting list this season.

A Captivating Scent That Defines Fall

There is no denying the powerful connection between scent and emotion. A pumpkin-scented candle evokes warm memories of fall traditions like pumpkin carving, apple picking, and cozy nights spent around the fireplace. The fragrance itself is comforting, grounding, and instantly transports anyone who experiences it into the heart of autumn. The combination of spices, sweet vanilla, and rich pumpkin creates a soothing and welcoming environment that everyone can enjoy.

Not only does the scent instantly fill a room with the essence of fall, but it also sets the tone for seasonal activities. Whether it’s hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, enjoying a warm beverage, or simply relaxing at home, a pumpkin candle enhances the experience, making it a gift that can be cherished long after it’s lit.

A Cozy Ambiance for Every Occasion

One of the key reasons why pumpkin candles are such an excellent gift is their ability to create a cozy ambiance in any space. The soft flicker of candlelight combined with the gentle, warm glow creates an atmosphere of relaxation and comfort. During the colder months, especially as the days get shorter, having a pumpkin candle burning in your living room, kitchen, or even your bathroom can instantly make the space feel more inviting.

The versatility of pumpkin candles also makes them suitable for a wide range of occasions. Whether it’s a birthday, a housewarming gift, a Thanksgiving present, or just a thoughtful gesture for a loved one, pumpkin candles offer the perfect balance of practicality and sentiment. Their warm, comforting scent and gentle illumination make them an ideal addition to any fall-themed event or get-together.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

When gifting a pumpkin candle, you’re not just giving a beautiful and fragrant item – you’re also contributing to an eco-friendly choice. Many pumpkin candles are made from soy wax, a renewable and biodegradable resource, making them a more environmentally conscious option compared to traditional paraffin candles. Soy wax is also known for burning cleaner, with less soot and fewer harmful chemicals, making it a safer choice for both the environment and your health.

In addition, many candle makers prioritize sustainable practices when crafting their products. From using recyclable packaging to supporting ethical sourcing of ingredients, purchasing a pumpkin candle can feel like a conscientious choice. As consumers continue to seek out more sustainable options, giving a pumpkin candle demonstrates a commitment to supporting eco-conscious brands that value both the planet and its people.

Versatile Design and Aesthetic Appeal

Pumpkin candles come in a wide array of designs, sizes, and styles, making them the perfect gift for anyone with a unique taste or aesthetic preference. From traditional pumpkin shapes to modern glass jars adorned with festive labels, these candles can complement virtually any home décor. Whether your gift recipient prefers a rustic, farmhouse-inspired look or a more minimalist, contemporary style, there is a pumpkin candle that will match their personal taste.

Many candle brands also offer options to personalize or customize the packaging, making the gift even more special and memorable. Whether engraved with a name, adorned with a fall-inspired design, or presented in a beautifully crafted box, the presentation of the pumpkin candle adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness. The best part is that once the candle is burned down, the container can often be repurposed or reused, offering both beauty and function.

An Affordable and Thoughtful Gift

While there are many high-end gifts available for the fall season, pumpkin candles offer an affordable yet thoughtful alternative. Despite their relatively low cost, they carry a level of personal sentiment and show that you took the time to select something that matches the season. Plus, pumpkin candles come in a range of prices, allowing you to find the perfect gift within your budget.

A pumpkin-scented candle is a small, affordable indulgence that anyone can enjoy. It doesn’t break the bank but still conveys a sense of luxury and care. Whether you choose a simple, classic candle or a more elaborate, hand-poured option, the gesture is sure to be appreciated.

Long-Lasting and Practical

One of the main reasons why pumpkin candles make such an ideal gift is their longevity. Unlike flowers or other perishable items, candles have a practical and long-lasting use. Pumpkin candles can last for many hours, meaning the recipient can continue to enjoy the scent and ambiance long after they receive it. The long burn time makes them a gift that keeps on giving, offering continued enjoyment well into the fall season and beyond.

Additionally, candles serve a functional purpose. They can help mask unwanted odors, create a relaxing environment for studying or meditating, and even provide a gentle light source in the evening. For those who appreciate both form and function, a pumpkin candle is the perfect addition to any home.

Perfect for All Ages

Another great thing about pumpkin candles is that they appeal to people of all ages. Whether you're shopping for a teenager who loves a cozy vibe or a grandparent who enjoys seasonal touches in their home, a pumpkin candle fits the bill. Its scent, warmth, and visual appeal make it a universally appreciated gift, suitable for anyone from young adults to elderly relatives.

Because they are so universally liked, pumpkin candles are also great for groups. Whether you are preparing a small gift bundle for colleagues or sending a care package to a distant family member, pumpkin candles make a charming, universally appreciated addition to any gift set.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pumpkin candles are much more than just a seasonal fragrance – they are an ideal gift that brings warmth, comfort, and joy to anyone who receives them. Their rich, captivating scent, ability to create a cozy atmosphere, and versatile design make them perfect for any occasion during the fall season. Whether you're seeking an eco-friendly, thoughtful, or affordable gift, a pumpkin candle fits the bill. By gifting a pumpkin candle, you're offering a piece of the fall experience that can be enjoyed for weeks to come.

[bbwstruggles]

Somehow your weight is the topic of every family gathering.

Let’s dive into a touchy topic: family gatherings and the inevitable weight commentary. If you’re plus-sized, chances are you’ve been there, stuck at the dinner table with a plate of food in front of you, only to have someone turn your body into the evening’s main course of conversation.

For me, it was my grandmother. Don’t get me wrong, I love her dearly but every time she saw my mom, she’d lead with, “I’m so worried about her weight.” I wasn’t even in the room, and yet my body was the uninvited guest at every family gathering. The worry was never about my grades, my interests, or my happiness just my waistline.

It wasn’t just Grandma, either. There’s always that one aunt who can’t help but give unsolicited advice. "You know, I’ve been doing this new cleanse. Maybe you should try it!" Or the cousin who’s suddenly a fitness guru and asks if you’ve ever considered intermittent fasting while they pile mashed potatoes onto their plate. Let’s not forget the concerned looks when you dare to go for seconds.

And the cherry on top? The subtle digs disguised as compliments. “You have such a pretty face…” Only my face is pretty? If only I fit into your version of acceptable?

It’s exhausting, isn’t it? The constant scrutiny, the well-meaning but hurtful remarks and the feeling that your worth is being measured in pounds and inches instead of who you are as a person. Family gatherings should be about connection and love, not an impromptu intervention about your weight.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, here’s a virtual hug from me to you. You’re not alone in this and it’s okay to set boundaries. The next time someone makes a comment about your body, feel free to shut it down with a smile and a simple, “Thanks for your concern, but I’m good.” Or, if you’re feeling spicy, hit them with, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize we were discussing your health regimen today.”

Remember, you’re more than the size of your jeans. You’re a whole person with dreams, talents and a sense of humor sharp enough to carve that Thanksgiving turkey. Let’s save the weight talk for the scales and keep it out of the stuffing.

[barongsrus1]

Filipino Americans celebrate Christmas by blending traditional Filipino customs with American holiday traditions, creating a unique and vibrant celebration. Here’s a look at some of their distinctive traditions, foods, and interesting facts:

Traditions

Simbang Gabi Adaptations

Filipino Americans often continue the tradition of attending Simbang Gabi or a novena of dawn/evening masses.

Many churches in the U.S. organize these masses to accommodate the Filipino community, complete with Christmas hymns and fellowship afterward.

Parol Displays

The iconic Filipino parol (star-shaped lantern) is prominently displayed in homes, symbolizing light and hope.

Filipino community centers and parishes may hold parol-making workshops, keeping the tradition alive among younger generations.

Christmas Caroling

While house-to-house caroling is less common in the U.S., Filipino families may gather for caroling at parties or community events.

Kris Kringle (Monito-Monita)

Gift exchanges with fun themes, reminiscent of the Filipino Secret Santa, are popular at gatherings.

Themes like “Something useful” or “Something funny” add excitement.

Family and Community Gatherings

Filipino American families hold large reunions or community potlucks to celebrate the holiday season.

Virtual gatherings have become common for families separated by distance.

Food

Classic Filipino Christmas Dishes

Filipino Americans prepare traditional holiday dishes, including:

Lechón (roast pig) or its alternative, lechon kawali.

Pancit (noodles) for long life.

Bibingka and puto bumbong, often sourced from specialty Filipino bakeries.

Queso de bola (edam cheese ball) as a centerpiece.

Embutido (Filipino-style meatloaf) and hamon (holiday ham).

Fusion Dishes

Filipino flavors are often blended with American favorites, such as:

Adobo turkey for Thanksgiving-Christmas dinners.

Lumpia (spring rolls) served as appetizers at holiday parties.

Desserts and Drinks

Popular desserts include buko salad, leche flan, and polvoron.

Drinks like salabat (ginger tea) or tsokolate batirol (Filipino hot chocolate) warm up the season.

Facts

Community Support

Filipino American associations and organizations often host Christmas events, such as Paskuhan festivals or outreach programs for less fortunate families.

These events showcase Filipino cultural dances, songs, and cuisine.

Strong Religious Connection

Around 80% of Filipino Americans identify as Catholic, and Christmas remains a deeply spiritual time.

Many families pass on religious customs like praying the rosary together during Advent.

Celebrating Across Time Zones

Many Filipino Americans celebrate with their families in the Philippines via video calls, sharing stories, meals, and laughter despite the distance.

Preserving the Parol

The parol has become a symbol of Filipino identity, even in the U.S., with displays in homes and public areas.

Generosity

Inspired by the Filipino tradition of bayanihan, Filipino Americans often donate to charities, organize food drives, or send gifts to relatives in the Philippines, especially through balikbayan boxes.

Filipino American Christmas celebrations are a testament to their ability to adapt and thrive in a multicultural environment while preserving the warmth and richness of their cultural heritage. It’s a holiday season full of love, faith, and festive cheer.