Christmas with Chiquis

you know, I am your host cheek Ease. I hope you all are having a beautiful Monday. Let's start this week off on the right foot as we inch closer to the holidays. I thought it'd be super fun to do a festive episode so you can learn a little bit more about how I spend them, and towards the end of the episode, I'll be sharing some gift giving tips for those of you who still don't know what to get for your significant other. So pour yourself a glass of quito so you can get ready for this

episode of cheek Ease and Chill. I want to start off by saying that I love the holidays for me it's just getting together with your family, and it's so much more than the gifts, you know, especially for like Christmas. And I know it's super busy. It's a crazy time with the shopping and hosting and deadlines all that stuff, but I think it's beautiful and I think we just all need to just slow down and say, Okay, what

did we accomplish this year? And now we get to sit down and appreciate what we accomplished and get ready for the new year, you know. So for me, I'm looking forward to spending time with my nieces and nephews. I feel like Christmas is for them, for them to open up their gifts. And I love to spoil everybody, and I always tell them every year, I'm not buying anyone gifts this year because I too busy, But I always end up spoiling them all and getting more than

I should. But I don't care. That's what Athena and Anina and a sister is four, I think to spoil, So I totally enjoy that and I can't wait to see their smiles on their faces. And I'm taking them all to the snow this year, so I'm super excited. I got us a nice cabin and we're all going and I'm just super super I can't wait. I'm super excited, you guys. I know I said I'm super excited like a million times, but I am. I'm like, I want

to have a white Christmas. So anyways, I thought that it would be nice to kind of just share what I like during the holidays, what we eat in my family, what we're going to eat out there in the mountains. I want to take this time to go back back to the good old days when my mom was here, when my family and I might extended family were all super close, and I was young, I was I don't know. I think my best Christmas Is were like anywhere from seven to like fourteen, maybe sixteen years old, and we

would always get together a Grandma's house. I actually have a picture and I'm probably gonna share this year on social media of all the cousins together at Grandma's house in our pj's. The house always smells like that lies and Grandma was there with all my tas making the list, showing them her little recipe. She never gave them the full secret. She would just show them. You know, this is I'll never forget one year, we were again at

Grandma's house and we were waiting. It was because we opened our gifts on at midnight, so basically they like in the morning, you know Mexicans we do that. We were at Grandma's house, like I said, and they put boxing gloves on all of us, my cousins and I, and we were all they just made us fight each other. And I'll never forget because they put me with my cousin Karina. My cousin Karina is my theo Gus's daughter and who I've always been really close to, and they

put us together and she kicked my ass. Let me tell you, she's two years younger than me. But they just made us like, you know, just it was all play fighting. But some of us. I didn't get mad, but some of my cousins did get upset and they started like kind of fighting for real. But then they calmed us down and they're like the winner got money.

So then they would give us like agancias, like piggy banks that my grandparents throughout the entire year would fill up with coins and quarters and just money that they would get from the casino. They loved going to the casino, so all year they would do that, and they had a piggy bank for all the grandchildren and they I would give it to us on Christmas and we would break it with the hammer outside and you know, we sometimes would come out with like, I don't know, hundreds

of dollars of just coins. It was so much fun. I missed those days, to be honest, I missed those types of Christmas is where we all literally got together. But it's nice. It's nice to look back and have those memories. And hopefully one day I can do that with my nieces and nephews with my own children. But for us, it was just important to eat, chilling our pajamas, watch movies together, and just enjoy, you know, enjoy each

other's presence. My mom one year, she was always really busy, you know, with work or whatnot, and I would always do like the Christmas shopping for her. She would give me a list and kind of an idea of what she wanted to get each of us, and I'd go shopping. But there was this one year, I think it was like two two and nine where she went shopping by herself.

She says, I want to do it myself. I'm going to go and I said, okay, cool, and she says, I'm gonna wrap them too, I'm gonna wrap them this year. I'm like, all right, awesome. And I guess what she did. She went shopping, which I thought was really cute. She got all of us things that you know, reminded her of us, which it was really nice and um, but she didn't have time to wrap anything. So she put all of our gifts in one big gass box and she didn't even wrapped the box. She just put it

under the tree. And she's like, okay, put our names on them. So we each had a big box and in them were just things that she went to the mall and bought for each of us. I'll never forget because it was just so sweet because I knew how busy she was, especially that year, traveling and everything. Um, that was one very very special Christmas. Yeah, and I

have a few of those. Um. Even when before, even before Jennie rivera was Jenny River and we were living in Compton, you guys, we didn't have money for Christmas. And she bought a little tree that sat on top of a speaker and she decorated it and that's all we could afford and literally I had one gift under the tree. But it was just so nice to know that she went out of her way and to get us that one gift. It was always mom trying to make everything so special, not even just on Christmas, but

also on Valentine's Day. On my mom would even make us baskets for Easter. It was just so cute. She would go to store and pack it up, but it was just like a big, old like basket full of stuff for us. So anyways, here I am going down memory lane. This is funny. Okay. So I was fourteen and it was when like pages were in like beepers. Some of you may know, some some of you may not, but uh everyone was getting a page and had a

pagre and if you had it, you were cool. And I remember I had been asking my mom for one forever and I was fourteen and she gave me my first page or you guys. It was blue, like a baby blue color, and oh my goodness, I was so excited. I was like, oh my god, you're the best mother ever. I want to be a cool kid at school. And even though we weren't doing that well financially during that time, I'm telling you, my mom always figured out a way to give us what we really wanted. So I'll never

forget that time. I was so excited I started crying at a joint um. And then I don't want to say the worst gifts because it's funny, but one of the gifts that I'll never forget that I was kind of like what the heck. I was at my dad's house and his mom, who was always very different I'll say, with us, my my siblings and I. She didn't really

like my mom too much. She gifted all my other cousins on my dad's side these I don't know, like I remember there was like they all got toys and cool toys, like I just remember them having cool toys. And when I went to open my gift, she only gave me a pair of socks. And mind you, I was young. I was like seven eight years old, and I was really hurt. I was just like, what, like, I just got some socks. Now, now you give me some socks, and I'm super happy because it's just that

I either have holes or mismatched. My socks always get up and like run away, you guys. When I was a child, I was like, who wants a pair of socks? They were cute socks. They had like little pink, little rufflies around them. But I was just like looking around all my cousins, I'm like, oh my god, they got cool gifts. I just got socks. But now I'm grateful,

So I think it's kind of funny how things change. No, those are just a few of my memories, but those are the ones that are the highlights I think now for me. Holidays, especially Christmas, I think it's important for my siblings and I to be together, whether it be at my house or my sister's house. And I think it's also important to have a Christmas tree if it could be real. I prefer a natural tree because of the smell, and it just smells like Christmas when you

walk in. Um. I have been busy, especially this year with the move and everything, and last year was kind of crazy, but I always find the time to get a Christmas tree, gets someone to decorate the house for me. I just love to have the feeling of Christmas, even like having the kisses. You know that they have like always these holiday kisses that only come out during December, the hershey kisses, And I love having those at home. There are peppermint ones which are so bomb you guys,

if you haven't tried them, you need to. They're like my favorite. And having just candles that smell like vanilla and cinnamon and just all these Christmas candles all that is so important to me because it just feels like a big hug when you walk into your house and it smells like pine and it smells like Christmas and cookies,

and it's just for me that is important. That's something that my mom always had no matter what, no matter how busy she was, it whether we had money or not, it was like, we have to have a Christmas tree, we have to have candies. She was all about, even though she didn't eat them. She was like, have candies at the house, have candles. I want fresh flowers. Um. So those are things that for me are now as an adult, are important. You guys know that, Yes, holidays

are about food. What's well, at least for me, about food and drinks. And I have to say that for Christmas, I do like maybe breakfast cooking, but I've always left that to like my grandma. Um, this year, I'm gonna have to cook because we're going away but for Thanksgiving. I love to cook. For Thanksgiving, I love to make the turkey. I either fry it or bake it. I'm really good at the like mac and cheese and the mashed potatoes, all that good stuff I love to cup.

But for Christmas, I feel like I just want to chill and eat everyone else's food. Jackie Yam, I love. I'm gonna miss them this year, you guys, I have to learn how to make them lists. I feel like they're like easy to make, but you have to have like a certain recipe for them to come out nice and juicy, you know. So I have to ask my grandma for that recipe. But so we're gonna have to figure it out. I don't know what I'm gonna make,

but for sure, some tequila with some hot chocolate. I don't know if you guys have ever tried that, but I like to make and then I put a little tequila and you just chill and you put some marshmallows in it and his bomb. Let me tell you real good. So, like you guys, know, those of you that listen to my podcast, I shared that I do have a boyfriend now, and I'm happy to say that he will be joining us to the snow this year. I'm really excited. Um. I got him a lot of really cool gifts, which

we'll talk about, you know. Like I said, I'm gonna give you some tips later on. But I'm excited for him to open them. And I did the Christmas shopping myself this year, so I'm super excited about that. And um, yeah, it's gonna be our first Christmas together. Guys. I'm excited, but I'm nervous at the same time because I like to look busted during the holidays. You guys, this is when I'm off. I don't want to have my extensions in. I don't want to have any makeup on. I want

to be in my pj's. I want to be as full on guys I possibly can. So if you can get through it with me, then that means he's a keeper. So Emilia, you better be listening. Okay, if his friends, anyone or listen is listening to this podcast, go tell Emilio he better be all right with me looking not

cute this Christmas because some people I don't know. I've seen other families that get all dressed up, and I think it's nice with their like nylons and they're two dresses and they're two high hills, and I think that's really nice. You know, my family has never been like that, so I'm not used to that, And I don't know, maybe that's something that I want to do with like my family when I have kids, or it's like, hey,

everyone dressed up, we're gonna take a Christmas picture. But it's always been like bsful the only guys you possibly can. So maybe that's something that I gotta change up. In a couple of years, we'll see, but for now. Uh. And now that we're talking about all this, I'm thinking, what are we really going to do when we're out in the mountains. Because usually the times that we've gone to like Big Bear or wherever there's snow, we always

go after Christmas. This is the first time ever that we're going to be there during Christmas, so I'm thinking. I talked to my sister about it. She's like, you know what, what if we just take like free holes and we take some rice and we cook it out there, or we just go to the grocery store when we get there, like the local grocery store, and just buy everything we want. You know, I don't know. I really

don't even want to care about the calories. I want to eat as many cars as I possibly can, because it's just like my last chance to just say okay, and then January comes along and then I really have to get on a strict diet, you guys. But I want to have oreoles, nutter butters. Oh, the oreoles, and the milk so delicious when you like just let them just soak in the milk and you get the spoon. It's just so good. So I'm looking forward to that.

I want sandwiches with Doritos on the side and a hallepeeno. I want to eat all of it, all of it. Someone may probably like, the kids love Tody soak on well, so we're gonna do them and make some beans, and media loves when I make them beans with cheese. I make some bomb mask beans, you guys, refried beans, Um, I gotta make that. And then my sister, she's really good at making choco flans. I'm gonna request that. So I'm already thinking about it. I'm gonna write all this down.

I'm just gonna listen to the to the podcast on my way there to the snow so I remember exactly everything I want to eat. So, as I promised, I'm going to share some gift giving tips with you. Guys. Can you believe that we're less than one week away from Christmas? I cannot believe it. This year went by so quick. So if you're still undecided, time is running out. And I'm real proud of myself this year because I did all of my Christmas shopping already and that never happens.

So you guys, get on it. So when shopping for your significant others, I think it is important to keep in mind obviously what they like and they don't like. If they're into sports, what are they a foodie? Are they tech savvy? Fashion? Because there's some you know men in my case, guys and my significant others, a man that is not into fashion, you know what I mean. He's more of like it's really hard to shop for close for him, so I don't even go there. I know he likes shoes, I know he likes hats, I

know his hat size. Um, he's not really a sports guy, so it's important if he likes sports, all that stuff, you have to write all that down for me. I need to make a list, priority lists, and then the second I always have that like, Okay, this will probably I could do this on Amazon dot com. I don't know, so I always go I cannot go shopping without a list, So it's super important to just think about those things

the primary things. Another thing that I think is super cute for your significant other is a perfumer a cologne, you know, because it's something that for me, it's like, I want my man to smell good. So if I like the cologne, he better like it because well I'm

gonna be smelling it, right. So I like to also do baskets with their favorite foods, with a cute little cologne, some gift cards or favorite stores I don't know, Home Depot or best Buy, I don't know, and putting a little basket together I think is something easier for me, I think, than to do individual gifts. But I mean it was pretty easy to shop for. To be honest, for the men that are listening, I have some tips for you, as a woman and as a woman that

loves to be surprised. I think it's important for you not to overthink it when you are buying a gift for your girl. Don't go over there buying her pots and pants if she doesn't ask for them, okay, because she doesn't feel like, oh, you're buying them for me so I can cook for you. It's kind of like, no, make sure, I don't know, like even as easy as getting her a gift certificate for a manicure and pettic here,

we all need a petticure, a massage. I don't know whoever she gets her hair done with, get her a certificate like here, I'll buy you know you, I don't know, one time to go get your hair down or three months or whatever. Things like that go such a long way, and I think it's important that you know, like, Okay, what's gonna make her happy? Think about her. For me, it's I'm so like easy to please in that area where I'm like, okay, just buy me things that I need,

like my socks, like candles, like white bees. Even baby wipes, you guys, are so important because I use them every single day. So it's like if someone were to give me a box of baby wipes, I'd be so happy because those are expensive. So men, when you're shopping for your girl, just think about what will make her happy. We will make her smile. Think about like I don't know, even like her favorite place to go eat. I think those types of things go a long way for us women. Yes,

persones are nice. Yes, diamonds are nice. I'm not saying no. But even if you can't necessarily afford that this year, it's just the littlest things that make a smile, even like, oh, he he remembered my favorite type of chips, you know what I mean. Like to me, it's like, oh my god, it's so cute. He knows I like hot cheetos. He bought some hot cheetos. You know, you don't have to like go all lavish to make her happy, at least not a lot of the women that I know. I think.

It's just it's the thought that counts, and for you to go out there and get it yourself for her, you know. With that being said, Even a gas card. You guys, we all need gas every single day of our life. It's that simple. I just think those little things I'm telling you go a long way. So gifts for him, ladies that are listening again, if he's into sports, it's important that you get him a jersey, a cup. There's all kinds of stuff that I've seen sports stuff.

If he's not into sports, is he techi? Does he like um, I don't know, get him a new pair of air pods if you can. If not, another thing they like home deepot, if they like, oh these guy stores, even if they're like games I love. Honestly, I really like gift cards, and I know a lot of men do, like my brothers. When I give them stuf, they're like, oh my god, yeah, just give me some cash. And sometimes I feel like cash is a little like, I

don't know, like unthoughtful, I guess. But gift cards, I think it's kind of like, oh, they know what I what I'm into, you know. So I think it's important to know your man. And again, a lot of them need underwear, new briefs. Give them some briefs. They need them, and you're gonna, you know, see them, so you might as well get something you like. My brothers always appreciate socks again Cologn's, but it is important to know your significant other and not just get something that you think

they're like. It's really pay attention to what they really love. And that goes I'm telling you a long way now talking about people that quote unquote may have everything. I've gotten that quite a bit. And I used to think that about my mom or I'm like, oh my gosh, you can buy herself anything. What can I possibly get her? But I think sometimes we're thinking of something super expensive because you feel that people that have money want branding things,

and that's not necessarily true. Um My mom was that type of woman that was just like she was happy with the smallest things, with a devotional for instance, a book. She loved that. She loved candles. She wasn't into flowers really too much, like when you gifted her flowers. She's just like buying flowers for her home. But like when you gave her flowers, she was kind of like, you know, but it's just it's not even about branding things. It's

more of the little things that count. Like I would always give her a get certificate to go get a massage, you know, and she loved that because anyone that's busy, anyone, it doesn't even matter if you're busy or not busy or whatever. Everyone and anyone appreciates a nice massage, a day at the spall think about things like that, dinners, a concert ticket, um music. Everyone likes music, you know, what I mean, like think of like outside the box.

It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive to make someone smile. Now, if you're on a budget, which I completely understand, especially after the tough year years, should I say that we've had um I think the pandemic came and really put a lot of things into perspective and made a lot

of things difficult. So if you're on a budget, we all know this, but we really need to believe it that Christmas and the holidays are to spend time with your loved ones, to show your love, not with just giving gifts, but just giving someone your time, your quality time, even a card expressing your feelings and your thoughts about that person, about how grateful you are for them. That

is something someone can keep forever and it's priceless. My sister one year, I was having difficulties um financially, and she went to Michael and got some sped out some ornaments and she filled them up with cute little I think it was like comfetti and stuff, and she made each of us a special ornament. Yes, it was already Christmas and everything, but we had it for next year and I thought it was super cute. She says, I'm

sorry you guys. I don't have a lot of money this year, but I thought it was so thoughtful to make something handmade and it was so beautiful and it meant so much to me because it was a picture of me and my mom and Mikey with his dogs, so it was just and Or and Luna, so it was just really nice. I think that sometimes when you make something handmade, it's something that can last forever and will it's a memory for the rest of your life.

So even cooking something, baking something for someone that's beautiful, Okay, cookies, I don't know, I said earlier, like gift baskets their favorite foods. You know, you can literally spend twenty bucks on on a basket and just put their favorite foods, and that that something that people will appreciate. I mean people that really know the meaning be hind what holidays are about. And if they don't appreciate it, then they should not be in your life. Okay, um, I hope

that these tips helped you, guys. I don't consider myself a professional, but I will tell you that I've had Christmas is where finances have been difficult and hard, and we've had Christmas is where it's been great. But the most important thing at the end of the day is spending quality time with those that you love and creating memories, because that's what stays forever. Well. I hope that you guys enjoyed the tips and that you guys have a

wonderful holiday. I had a blast with this episode. I hope you guys enjoyed and learn something new about me, and I hope that this helps steer you in the right gift giving direction. By the way, I'd love to hear about how you love spending your holiday, so you can tweet me your traditions or just an update. I'd love to know. Even tweet me a picture of your tree. I'd love to see that too. My Twitter is Cheeky six to six. That is c h i q u y s six to six. You can also find me

on Instagram at cheek ease muchos besos nadels. This is a production of I Heart Radio and Michultura podcast Network. For more podcasts from my Heart, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.