Most Filipino families flock home for New Year’s Eve. It is a celebration of the year that has passed and because of the long holiday, people choose to come home and spend time with family. In our case, we no longer stay at our house but we travel for New Year’s Eve as a family. Here are the reasons why and how it started.
Travel for New Year’s Eve
When I was single, we always went home for the New Year Eve’s and wait for the old year to pass. There were only two times in my entire unmarried life that I didn’t go home – one was when I had to travel to Singapore and then to the United States.
Now that I am married and living with my husband, we just make sure that the entire family is together here in Bacolod City. After all, home is where the heart is. And where our family is, it’s all love.
We could be at our own home, at an aunt’s house, my parents’ house, or wherever. As long as we are with family, we are home. That’s one New Year tradition that we can’t shake off.
- Related: Filipino Family New Year Traditions
The Advent of Our NYE Family Travel
Six years ago, my husband’s clan was having our joint Christmas party and year-end gathering on December 30 at an aunt’s house. We had finished our dinner and were planning to open the bottles of wine to share.
- Related: Why Family Meals are Important
Suddenly, someone suggested that we all go out of town the following day. Everyone just kind of agreed. The wine bottles remained unopened and we all went back to our houses early to pack our bags for our spur of the moment family trip.
Indeed, no plans are the best plans to travel.
Our First NYE Trip
After that sudden decision, we were in panic mode. Somebody called the different hotels around the province of Negros Occidental to check on what can accommodate us. All in all, there were about 30 of us, with ages ranging from 3 years to 70+ years old.
Eventually, we landed on Casa Florentina in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. We spent a total of four days there and all the while, I was feeling woozy.
When we came back to Bacolod, I still didn’t realize that I might be infanticipating. Having PCOS means that I have irregular menstruation so I could not plot out my fertility calendar. Days into the new year, I took a pregnancy test and learned that I was with child — our second who would eventually become Shane. hehe
Why We Don’t Stay Home on New Year’s Eve
Actually, we are all HOME when we travel. We are with everyone who is important to us, which are our families. So we are home. We just did not stay at our houses to celebrate.
So what made us decide to travel for New Year’s Eve as a family?
- We wanted to try something new.
- Some of us wanted a change of scenery.
- Most of all, apart from the Holy Week, that’s our only long holiday.
Most of those on my husband’s side of the family own small businesses. Being Filipino-Chinese, they are hands-on in managing their own stores or offices. It is usually hard for all of us to get away at the same time when no one else will be left manning the business.
Since all of us are cooped up in our place of business, the New Year is the most practical time for us to get away and get a change of scenery.
NYE Family Travel Destinations
So far, we have not gone out of the country. It’s kind of hard to organize everyone to go for international travel, especially during the holidays.
So far, here are the places we have ventured to as we travel for New Year’s Eve:
- 2012 – Casa Florentina, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
- 2013 – Guimaras Island
- 2014 – Circle Inn, Bacolod City
- 2015 – Nataasan Beach Resort, Sipalay, Negros Occidental
- 2016 – Villa Iska Beach Resort, Pta. Taytay, Bacolod City
- 2017 – Bantug Lake Ranch, Bacolod City
- 2018 – Cana Retreat, Amlan, Negros Oriental
- 2019 – La Vista Highlands, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Traveling for New Year’s Eve may not be for everybody. There are so many concerns, especially logistics and family budget. But it’s an option.
As long as our health and pockets will allow it, we may continue traveling as a family every New Year’s Eve. 🙂 It’s not only fun but the kids also learn and we create lots of memories.
Family Travel Stories:
- Family-friendly Hotels in the Philippines
- Tips for Traveling With Young Children
- Summit Galleria Cebu Premier Room
- Tips for Traveling with Sick Kids | Family Travel
- Overnight at Mambukal Mountain Resort
- Ultimate Guide to Magikland Silay Theme Park
- L’Fisher Hotel Bacolod New Deluxe Room
- Traveling with a Pet: How Can a Family Do It?
- Belmont Hotel Boracay
I can totally relate. Travelling with family during the Holidays can be a pain with all the logistics and bookings. But since daw once a year lang magkita ang everyone, why not travel nalang diba? Excited to see where your next destination will be, Ms. Happy New Year to you and your family! ❤️
Very interesting to know! Together as a family what’s Matter most.
So happy to read this blog post Mommy Sig. Nakakatuwa malaman kung pano nyo sini-celebrate yung New Year’s Eve. Love this, not so typical celebration na nakasanayan na magcelebrate sa bahay. This is more fun & much memories to create with the whole fam❤️
Ang saya naman ng family tradisyon niyo every year ang daming memories na nagagawa
I hope everything goes well.
Ang Dami na Po natin na miss because of pandemic. Na sana nagbabakasyon Tayo with the fam may getaway, or nasa Mall nag mo malling kaso because of pandemic we are all stay at home for almost two years na. Nakaka sad. Hoping naging Covid free na Tayo. I miss walking in the public without wearing any mask or faceshield.
Keep safe everyone. Xoxo
Ang saya Naman po ng New Year celebration nyo mommy♥️
Kami Last New Year Nagtravel Din Mommy Pauwi kela Mama amd we spent New Year As A whole Family in resort.Ang Saya kaso di kami nakumpleto kasi yung ibang Di nakauwi