How do you celebrate Christmas in your country?
By anaaibachan
@lizbenetua (637)
Philippines
November 29, 2015 1:17am CST
Here in the Philippines, though Christmas is celebrated December 25, it starts when the -ber months come in. I overheard a radio station DZMM and its dj play Christmas songs (but it's not December yet). Some put up Christmas decorations so that they can enjoy the celebration a little longer.
It's best celebrated with loved ones beside you, family, and friends, or even people at work or organization.
We put up a lantern in front of the house callled parol ( usually star shaped but the shape can vary). The best place to buy a lantern is from Pampanga.
13 people like this
14 responses
@antonbunot (11091)
• Calgary, Alberta
29 Nov 15
O, in the north (Philippines) a lot, when I was still down there, were already playing Christmas songs starting the last week of October. That is how obsessed we, ilocanos, about Christmas. Christmas here in Canada is not as exciting as in the Philippines. 
3 people like this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
That's great, Denise! Christmas is the best time to be with family and friends. Wishing you a Happy Christmas!
1 person likes this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
1 Dec 15
@msiduri Yes,family is important for me too. It's really very important for me to spend time with family and friends and people who matter to me.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
30 Nov 15
@lizbenetua Yes. Those of us who are lucky enough to be able to be with family and friends!
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@pahak627 (4558)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Starting September, christmas songs are already heard over the radio. But I think the celebration really starts on December 16 wherein we celebrate the misa de gallo until December 25. Then christmas songs are still heard until January 6... But for catholics it really ends on the first Sunday of January. There are still carolers until the first Sunday or January 6. For me, I usually start putting decors in December.
2 people like this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Thank you for sharing your Christmas experiences. It's a truly beautiful experience!
1 person likes this
@pahak627 (4558)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
@lizbenetua In our place, most carolers are children and they have not yet started caroling. Today is already December I'll just see if they will be caroling. I guess most of them will start during their christmas break.
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
The wind can be a bit blustery here already! I have to bring a jacket especially when I go out at night
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
1 Dec 15
@lizbenetua Wow! I want to experience that again! I think by next year. Hopefully in HIS will.
@kaka135 (14916)
• Malaysia
1 Dec 15
As I am not a Christian, I do not really celebrate Christmas. Some non-Christians here do celebrate Christmas, they will have parties, decorations and gift exchange. Malls or shops will always have Christmas decorations and some malls might hold Christmas events as well.
Though I do not really celebrate Christmas, I started to tell the stories to my children when my elder was young. I learned about St. Nicholas Day, Three Kings' Day and other nice festivals in these few years, I think they are good stories to tell the children. I sewed a Christmas tree and hung some handmade ornaments for my children to have fun as well. I like how some people celebrate the advent in four weeks, I'll learn how to do it and try to bring the good tradition to the children. I'd like to learn the real meaning of the festival and teach my children too.
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14916)
• Malaysia
5 Dec 15
@lizbenetua Thanks. I am always interested to know about other cultures and religions as well.
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
1 Dec 15
No worries, I respect all religions of people who have come to post their replies here. Thank you for sharing the things that you observe during the celebration of Christmas. Maybe we can have a chat in the near future about it. Hope you're having a great day! Take care!
1 person likes this
@youless (112108)
• Guangzhou, China
29 Nov 15
I am from China. Here the Christmas is not our official festival or holiday. But it has become much more popular. There are big and beautiful Christmas trees in the hotels and department stores. And the restaurants will decorated with Christmas stuff. And you can hear the Christmas, too. The youngs like to have a good meal and then walk in the stree to celebrate it.
2 people like this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Thank you for sharing how you celebrate Christmas in China. Establishments are decorated with Christmas trimmings here too, as early as when the -ber months start. Hope you are having a great day!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Nov 15
We celebrate with a decorated tree, music, holly, mistletoe, good food, family, lights, and presents for loved ones.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Nov 15
@lizbenetua ...I'm a traditionalist and enjoy the things we have done here for many years.
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@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
1 Dec 15
@celticeagle I would love to experience that traditional Christmas holiday in the near future. That would be something to look forward to.
1 person likes this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Hi to you celticeagle of Idaho! Thank you for sharing your experiences here. It's great to see variety and ways people celebrate Christmas!
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
29 Nov 15
I do not celebrate Christmas, though some people celebrate it.
Those who celebrate Christmas will go to church.
There are some block parties organized by the resident committee too.
They will put some up some performances by the residents, and kids will get balloon and ice cream and goodie bags.
2 people like this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
No worries. Thanks for sharing what you have observed and see in your country about how people celebrate Christmas. It is truly amazing to see how people celebrate it. Take care
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
30 Nov 15
I don't celebrate the chrismtmas but oh well, I love the holiday. it's bad that it happens just a day. it would be nice if the holiday is every month!
1 person likes this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
No worries! That's okay. Hope you're having a great day in Indonesia! Thanks for sharing!
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@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
1 Dec 15
@kyrararen December 24 and 25 are declared Holidays here in my country. And it would even vary on the days these fall. Checking my calendar, 24 and 25 fall on Thursday and Friday respectively so it's going to be a long weekend for people with work because it comes before Saturday and Sunday. Then on December 30, there is another holiday called Rizal Day, in commemoration of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Then January 1 is also a regular holiday. So there are a lot of holidays during this month.
1 person likes this
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
1 Dec 15
@lizbenetua how many days off you get for xmas holiday?
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@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Yes, you're right! It's a time for giving, forgiving , and being happy!! Thank you Charmaine for sharing your thoughts!
@else34 (13517)
• New Delhi, India
29 Nov 15
@lizbenetua,I am a Hindu from India.I celebrate Christmas with my Christian friends here in my hometown.We go to the outskirts of our town and enjoy with cups of tea,samosas and many other dishes.My Christian friends too celebrate Hindu festivals with us.
1 person likes this
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Hi jaishankar! Wow, that's a great experience you have going out to celebrate Christmas with your Christian friends. Thanks for sharing!
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@else34 (13517)
• New Delhi, India
1 Dec 15
@lizbenetua Thanks.We all celebrate each other's festivals.
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@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
30 Nov 15
Thank you for sharing. What kind of ornaments do you use to decorate your tree?
