MY annual Christmas party was set in an enchanted forest covered with tropical plants and mystical fairy wings. After transforming my elegantly classic gold motif for the Town & Country cover into shades of green, my house looked like a scene from Camelot.

Several landscape contractors were so generous and sent me enormous trees. Serendra Complex landscaper Shirley Sanders (contact no. 0917-8392619) delivered trees over 12 feet high covering my entire living room.

One of my ?House Life? guests, Bobby Gopiao (contact no. 0920-901-1410), also sent giant palmera trees and sacks of dalandan fresh from his farm. Bobby is an exceptional landscapist and has a beautiful bonsai collection.

Being the busiest season ever, I double-booked my evening and hosted two parties at home. The ?House Life? cast party was set hours earlier but with the mad rush, both parties overlapped and we all had a grand time.

Volumes of fabric swept the living-room floor as several Tessa-rific contestants were mingling with the guests. ?House Life? organized a beauty pageant featuring the best ?Tessa? look. Different versions of me were difficult to judge.

After the pageant, I hosted a Family Feud game where everyone came home with loads of prizes from Bench, Firma, Cereo Candles, Swatch, World of Feng Shui, Lulu Tan Gan Shop and my bazaar shopping purchases. I also collected prizes from Nokia, Nike, Nivea and Dove. Everyone also went home with beautiful orchids from Kartini Asia Flower Shop. Check out www.kartiniasia.com for the flowers, plants and spa services they offer.

New highlights of this year?s party were pole dancing by Judy Gutierrez and the photo booth by Willy Saw (contact no. 0917-5001050). Judy is one of my belly-dancing classmates and is an expert at pole fitness. It is an amazing workout. But the true shocker was my Pilates-built husband Dennis who reached the top of the pole effortlessly!

While all the party activities were happening, guests were taking turns at the photo booth where Willy took their photo four times and printed instantly. It was so much fun to have copies to share right after.

Instead of worrying about the food, I hired La Tasca Restaurant for delicious menu and great service. In addition, I found the best yogurt in town, Yoh-gurt Froz. It was as yummy as ice cream without the calories.

Before we did our exchange gifts, the hip-hop dancers of the Patrick and Chesca Dionisio wedding performed once more. Even if the routine was slightly off and the costumes mismatched, the dance brought the house down.

It was indeed a very merry Christmas party. I wish you all more fun times ahead as we welcome 2009 with a bang!