Holiday Preparations and Celebrations in the Philippines

Tips for Decorating Homes for Christmas

1. Embrace the Parol

The parol, or Filipino Christmas lantern, is a beloved symbol of the holiday season. Here are some creative ways to incorporate parols into your festive decor:
 

• DIY Parol Creations: Gather materials like coloured paper, bamboo sticks, or even repurposed Christmas lights. Check out online tutorials for designs ranging from classic star shapes to intricate, multi-layered lanterns. Add your own flair with glitter, paint, or ribbons for a personal touch that brings out your holiday spirit.
  
  

• Let it Shine: Display your parol in well-lit areas, such as windows or doorways, to create a cosy, festive glow. Consider using solar-powered LED lights for a more eco-friendly, hassle-free way to light up your decor and spread the holiday warmth!

2. Bring Holiday Cheer with Vibrant Colours 

Filipino Christmas celebrations are known for their lively colours. Here’s how to add that festive spirit to your home decor:
 

• Choose a Colour Palette: Go for a colour scheme that captures your style. Classic reds and greens paired with gold or silver accents add an elegant yet traditional touch to your decorations.
   

• Decorative Touches: Deck out your Christmas tree with colourful ornaments, ribbons, and garlands to create a festive, coordinated look. Extend this colour theme to your table settings, wreaths, and other decor pieces for a warm and inviting holiday vibe throughout your home.

3. Family Traditions in Decorating

Involve your family in the decorating process to make it a memorable event:
 

• Tree Decorating: Make decorating the Christmas tree a family tradition. Share stories associated with each ornament, and encourage everyone to add their personal touch.
   

• Craft Nights: Set aside a night for crafting decorations together. Use materials like recycled paper, fabric, or natural elements to create unique pieces that reflect your family’s personality.

4. Utilise Natural Elements

Incorporating natural elements can bring warmth to your decorations:
 

• Poinsettias: These red and green plants are synonymous with Christmas. Place them in decorative pots throughout your home or use them as centrepieces for your dining table.
   

• Tropical Touches: Use local flowers like anthuriums or orchids to add a unique Filipino flair to your decorations. Create floral arrangements or use them in wreaths for a fresh look.

Traditional Filipino Holiday Recipes and Cooking Tips

Food plays a central role in Filipino Christmas celebrations. Here are some traditional recipes with detailed cooking tips to delight your family and guests.

1. Lechon

No Filipino celebration is complete without lechon (roasted pig). Here are detailed tips for preparing this centerpiece dish:
 

• Selecting the Pig: Choose a young pig, ideally around 15-20 kg, for tender meat and crispy skin. Ensure it’s sourced from a reputable vendor.
   

• Marinating: Prepare a marinade using a mix of soy sauce, garlic, black pepper, and calamansi juice. Rub the marinade generously inside the pig’s cavity and under the skin. Let it marinate for at least 12 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
   

• Stuffing: Stuff the pig with a mixture of lemongrass, onions, and garlic to infuse additional flavor during roasting.
   

• Roasting: For traditional roasting, use a charcoal pit or a rotisserie. Keep the fire consistent and rotate the pig regularly. If using an oven, preheat it to around 180°C (350°F) and roast for 2-3 hours, basting with marinade every 30 minutes to achieve golden skin.
   

• Crispy Skin: For ultra-crispy skin, increase the oven temperature to 220°C (428°F) for the last 30 minutes. Let the lechon rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to retain moisture.

2. Bibingka

Bibingka is a popular rice cake enjoyed during the holiday season. Here’s how to make it:
 

• Ingredients: Combine 2 cups of rice flour, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 cup of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. Prepare salted eggs and grated coconut for topping.
   

• Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a round baking pan with banana leaves for an authentic taste. If you don’t have banana leaves, use parchment paper.
   

• Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean.
   

• Toppings: Once baked, let it cool slightly, then top with slices of salted egg and sprinkle with grated coconut and cheese. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts.

3. Puto Bumbong

Another favourite is puto bumbong, a purple rice cake typically served during Christmas.
 

• Ingredients: Mix 2 cups of purple glutinous rice flour, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1/2 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt.
   

• Preparation: Soak the purple glutinous rice overnight, then grind it into a fine paste. Incorporate coconut milk and sugar until smooth.
   

• Steaming: Use bamboo tubes or a puto bumbong maker. Fill the tubes with the mixture and steam for about 20-25 minutes. Ensure a consistent steam flow for even cooking.
   

• Serving: Once done, carefully remove the puto bumbong from the tubes. Serve with butter, grated coconut, and sugar on the side for guests to add as they like.

4. Tsokolate (Chocolate Drink)

Warm up your holiday gatherings with a cup of tsokolate.
 

• Ingredients: Use 1 cup of water or milk and 2-3 pieces of tablea (pure cacao tablets).
   

• Preparation: Boil the water or milk in a saucepan. Add the tablea and stir continuously until fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness to taste by adding sugar.
   

• Serving: For an authentic experience, use a batu (traditional wooden whisk) to froth the drink. Serve hot with a side of pan de sal or other pastries.

Gift Ideas for the Upcoming Holiday Season

Finding the perfect gift can be challenging, but here are some thoughtful ideas that reflect Filipino culture and values, along with places and websites to purchase them.

1. Handmade Crafts

Support local artisans by gifting handmade crafts. Options include:
 

• Woven Items: Look for bags and mats made from local materials like abaca or rattan. Check out:
   

  • Kultura: Offers a variety of handcrafted Filipino items. Kultura Website
     

  • The Craft Central: Features local crafts and artisan products. The Craft Central
     

• Artwork: Pieces from local artists can provide a personal touch. Consider visiting:
   

  • Art In The Park: An annual event showcasing local artists. Keep an eye out for local schedules.
     

  • Facebook Marketplace: Many local artists sell their work directly.

2. Food and Treats

Gifts of food are always appreciated in Filipino culture:
 

• Homemade Treats: Bake and package traditional holiday treats like leche flan or kutsinta. For those who prefer ready-made options, check:
   

  • Red Ribbon: Known for its delicious pastries and cakes. Red Ribbon
     

  • Goldilocks: Offers a variety of Filipino baked goods. Goldilocks
     

• Local Delicacies: Gift boxes filled with items like dried mangoes, buko pie, or puto can be delightful surprises. Consider:
   

  • Mango Farm: For quality dried mangoes. Mango Farm
     

  • Buko Pie from Mamasita’s or other local stores.

3. Experience Gifts

Consider giving experiences instead of physical items:
 

• Restaurant Vouchers: Treat someone to a meal at a local restaurant featuring Filipino cuisine. Websites like:
   

  • Booky: Offers discounts and deals on local restaurants. Booky
     

  • TheFork: Check for reservations and deals at various restaurants.
     

• Classes: Offer workshops for cooking, crafts, or other local traditions.
   

  • Kain Na! Cooking Classes: Offers various Filipino cooking classes. Kain Na!
     

  • Bistro Filipino: Sometimes hosts cooking classes featuring local dishes.

4. Personalised Gifts

Personalised gifts show thoughtfulness:
 

• Custom Items: Look for websites that offer personalised gifts, such as:
   

  • Gifts & Graces: They provide custom options for various gifts. Gifts & Graces
     

• Memory Books: Create a scrapbook filled with shared memories. You can purchase materials from:
   

  • National Bookstore: They have a wide range of scrapbooking supplies. National Bookstore

5. Oona Critical Illness Insurance

Consider giving the gift of security with Oona Critical Illness Insurance. This thoughtful gift provides financial protection for your loved ones in the event of a critical illness, ensuring they have support during difficult times. Here’s why it’s a valuable gift:
 

• Peace of Mind: Knowing that they are financially protected can alleviate stress for your loved ones.
  
  
• Customizable Plans: Oona offers various plans that can be tailored to fit individual needs and budgets.
  
  
• Easy Purchase: You can easily explore options and purchase plans through the Oona website, making it a convenient gift choice. 

Conclusion

The holiday season is a special time for Filipinos, filled with unique traditions and celebrations. By decorating your home with love, preparing traditional dishes with care, and giving thoughtful gifts sourced from local artisans and businesses, you can create a festive atmosphere that resonates with the spirit of Christmas. Embrace these tips to ensure your holiday season is joyful, memorable, and reflective of Filipino culture. Happy holidays!