Christmas Countdown in the Philippines and how they celebrate the occassion

Christmas is the most awaited season in Philippines. It is the happiest time for the Filipinos. We had Christmas parties & family reunions. Exchanging gifts and food galor. Christmas Bonuses given by the employers. Isn’t that exciting!

As soon as September 1 hits the calendar, we call it the start of “ber months” meaning September to December. Philippines, is known to have the longest celebration of Christmas. Malls and department stores started dressing their place outside or even inside in the hall you will see Santas and tall Christmas trees with lights and other christmas decor. If you are at the mall you will never get sad looking those sights and you will sigh ah... Christmas is here again.
Inside the mall they have the booths full of items they sell, such as different Christmas decors , Christmas lights, Christmas trees of different sizes, wrappers, Christmas songs in cd’s and tape or even gifts items.
Homes are decorated too.Santa's dancing, deers and they put lights in it too. Some houses have Christmas lights in and out or sometimes in their trees in the gardens. In the evening when they light it up, wow.
And the church were adorned too with lights, lantern and they highlight the Holy family being the symbol of our catholic faith.
In the streets and radio stations will hear Christmas Carols being played.
People are making Christmas list and some has already started shopping for bargains in Tiangge’s, Divisoria and other Christmas Bazaars.

For Filipinos in the US, or in other parts of the world not only they send money the also start shopping and sending balikbayan boxes to families back in the Philippines. This has become a major part of our lifestyle. Those who have children, parents or siblings left in the Philippines send boxes regularly, either on a monthly or quarterly basis. But, at Christmas time, many FilAms double their usual padala, adding special gifts and holiday treats to the usual staple items. The top 15 items that Pinoys usually send back home are: 1) Spam, 2) Hereford Corned Beef, 3) Centrum Multi-vitamins, 4) Chocolates (top on everyone’s list: Hershey’s, Kisses, Ferrero Rocher, M&Ms, Nestle Crunch, Cadbury & Toblerone), 5. Bath soaps (Dove, Ivory, & Irish Spring are the preferred brands), 6. Shampoo & Conditioner (Pantene, followed by Head & Shoulders, Neutrogena, & Kirkland ), 7) Colgate toothpaste, 8) Coffee (Folgers,Taster’s Choice and Maxwell are favorite brands) and hot chocolate drinks (Swiss Miss and Nestle), 9) Quaker Oatmeal and Breakfast Cereals (Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes and Choco Puffs), 10. Cookies (Famous Amos, Oreos, and Chips Ahoy), and Chips (Pringles, Doritos and Nachos), 11) T shirts, 12.Towels, 13) Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret products, 14) Rubber Shoes (Nike is the preferred brand), and 15) Sugar Other items such colognes, pants, flip-flops, sandals,shoes, bags, wallets, and magazines. We make it sure that there is a gift for everyone in the family –sa lahat ng pamangkin, pinsan, katulong etc.,” “For us we feel better if we could share and it’s not really just the gift that our family treasure, it’s the thought that think that you remembered them and took the time to shop and send Christmas gifts to them. That’s what it really counts.” Balikbayan boxes are not just filled with goods, they’re filled with love, affection and devotion.


The weather has started to feel a little cooler. Days are becoming shorter and nights are getting longer. Sometimes you don’t want to get up from bed because of its cool weather.December 16, children will start singing Christmas carols in front houses, in the cars, or even in the streets when the jeepneys and buses stop. When they are finished singing, people will give them some coins and sometimes they receive bills from generous people.
Simbang gabi as we call it or evening mass (9 days novena in commemoration with Child Jesus birth) is held at the church from December 16 to 24. Outside the church or along the streets you will see people selling “Puto Bumbong & Bibingka".
And at midnight December 24 after the church it is the tradition of the Filipino family to gather in their living room open their gifts, saying Merry Christmas to each other, calling friends to greet Merry Christmas and hug each other then go to the table, together they would pray for thanksgiving and eat or share whatever food they prepare for the occasion. In the morning children are excited to visit their God parents, kiss the hands and greet Merry Christmas and get their gifts either money or in kind. There are stories that Philippines celebrate their Christmas merrily not like in other countries. Writing this, make me feel homesick, on the verge of tears as i miss happy memories when i was there; since this is my first Christmas away from my family in the Philippines. To the Filipino they really value the family being together on this season even though they suffer financial crisis for as long as they are intact and the members are around they are happy sharing what they have. For me being away from them i have to keep strong for i know this is my new life together with my husband i would just pray that i would be with my sons sooner.