How to Celebrate a Filipino Christmas

In my opinion, Filipinos definitely have the most unique and most joyful Christmas celebrations.

Whenever Christmas comes, the spirit of joy and giving fills the air and people would tend to forget all their problems and worries and just enjoy the season with their families and friends.

I would like to list a few things that would characterize a Filipino Christmas though they are not all usually present but the important thing is that we celebrate the joy that Christmas brings to our lives and that is Jesus Christ.

1. Putting up Christmas decors. 
Usually put up two months prior, Christmas decorations lighten the atmosphere to make one feel the holiday vibes.

2. Christmas shopping. 

Everywhere there are discounts and promos which are sure to get people spending their Christmas bonuses on.

3. Exchange gifts and parties. 

A good way to end the year is through a year-end party and even despite the terrible tragedies that have befallen us, nothing stops us from having a get together with the people we love and share the blessings that we have with them.

4. Simbang Gabi. 

An age-old tradition of people attending a novena of dawn masses from 16th of December to Christmas Eve usually in anticipation of Christmas.

5. The Belen.

A wonderful display of the nativity scene which is usually seen in reenactments where people portray the characters of Mary and Joseph with Jesus in a manger and accompanied by the wise men and sometimes some shepherds.

6. Christmas Cantatas. 

Exciting presentations that tell the story of the first Christmas and relay the message of the true meaning of Christmas through a narrative of song and dance.

7. Caroling. 

A very good way for children to earn money during Christmas, besides going to their godparents, is by caroling to every house in the neighborhood.

Be prepared to listen to a medley of Filipino Christmas songs and the popular endearing phrase sung after you give the merry carolers a few coins for their efforts, "Thaaaank you, thaaaank you, ang babait ninyo (you're so nice), thank you!"

8. Lanterns and Light Shows. 

The "parol" or Christmas lantern is perhaps the most common symbol for Christmas here in the Philippines. Filipinos showcase their craftsmanship by creating unique designs and wonderful displays. Definitely a classic Filipino tradition.

9. Family Reunions. 
What brings delight to a Filipino Christmas is when you spend it with the whole family from aunts and uncles to second cousins and third cousins, along with grandparents and grandchildren.

This is also the time when the Filipinos working abroad get to come home to spend the holidays with their family which brings even more joy especially to the children.

10. The Noche Buena. 
No Filipino Christmas is ever complete without the Noche Buena. This is the only thing in this list that, in my opinion, can never be missed because this is the culmination of the Christmas celebration.

The whole family gets together for the feast of the year in eager anticipation of Christmas Day and just parties the night away.