Each Christmas is a bit like a new adventure. Even though it comes every year, there’s always something fresh and exciting about it. Some years are a little sad or challenging, but they still end up being part of what makes the holiday so memorable. Today, though, I want to share the Christmas that really stands out for me, the one I’ll always remember.

It was Christmas in 2022. The world had just started to heal from the chaos of COVID-19, and my family was finally coming back together. Everyone was so excited, almost like we were making up for lost time. There was so much energy in the air, and the Christmas spirit was present around and everywhere.

But the best part of that Christmas? I got to video call my crush, who’s now my girlfriend! It felt like the perfect moment. Even though we weren’t in the same place, we got to share the holiday together, laughing and talking while everyone else was celebrating around me. I felt happy and confident in a way I hadn’t in a long time. Christmas of 2022 wasn’t just like the other years, it was something special.

Spend the holidays surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. Take time to relax, laugh, and make memories together that you'll carry into the new year. This season is all about enjoying each other's company, unwinding from the busy year, and recharging together. It's a chance to feel grateful for the people around you and look forward to everything the next year will bring. This blog is about my experience during last year's month of December. And No, I do not celebrate Christmas, we only celebrate Thanksgiving.

December has a magic that makes it feel like the world is wrapping itself up for a grand finale. With only a month until December, the season of celebrations is nearly upon us the time many call "the most wonderful time of the year." As I get ready for the festivities, I find myself looking back on memories from last December 2023, reflecting on all the moments that made it special.

I remember back December 2023, me and my friends, my barkadas also know as "the mwas" planned out a small get-together party or a year-end party. We had a problem finalizing the date due to busy school schedules, until we decided it to be held on December 21, at my place. Although we weren't complete due to "wala gisugtan" and busy schedules. We had heart-to-heart talks which made most of cry, we had jammings, chikas, reminiscing, and many more. I had a lot of fun and I was grateful for that experience and that we were able to hangout with each other after being busy with school.

We don't celebrate Christmas, but we do celebrate Thanksgiving because of our faith. This year, it was extra special since we also celebrated my grandmother's birthday on a Saturday, which is our day of rest and church. What made it even better was that my uncle came home from the US for the holidays. The happiness in the air was undeniable, as we were all finally together. It felt so good to be with my family again, and I was especially happy to see my cousins after such a long time. It was a moment of pure joy to be surrounded by loved ones.

My Younger brother's birthday is also on December. Me and my Kuya decided to treat him out for lunch, unli-wings, since the three of us love to eat chicken. It was actually our first time to eat out together without our parents, usually we do celebrate birthdays together but my parents were busy that time. I felt very happy to spend time with my brothers, it made me feel more connected to them.

December 31, everyone is so excited for the new year’s. In my tita's farm, which is just next to our house is where we usually celebrate the New year’s. I remember my mom, tita and lola being busy in the kitchen while me and my cousins set up the venue, the tables, the bonfire and of course the Karaoke. I'm always excited for the ampao— este New year’s eve, where I can spend time with my family. And of course, we can't forget about the food, especially Bulalo and Pancit Guisado, the cakes, the fruits and my mom's specialty, the spaghetti. I am very thankful to the Lord for giving me this blessing of Family, I am grateful that I have these people in my life and also for the opportunity to spend time and celebrate another year with them.

“An Unforgettable Christmas in Taipei”

Traveling to Taipei, Taiwan, for Christmas 2018 was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The trip was filled with heartwarming moments and incredible discoveries.

We began our exploration of the city by touring Taiwan's magnificent temples, where the air was fragrant with the scent of incense. Hearing so much about Taiwan's famous bubble tea, we couldn't wait to try it firsthand. We found a small, tucked-away shop in a lively neighborhood that served rich, creamy milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls – a flavor unlike anything we'd tasted before. Sipping that perfect tea while strolling through the decorated streets, surrounded by holiday cheer, was magical.

Street vendors offered seasonal treats that combined Taiwanese specialties with festive flavors. We also visited the famous lantern spot , where colorful lanterns filled the night sky as people made wishes. After that, we made our way to Taipei 101, the iconic skyscraper that stands as a symbol of the city. From the observation deck, we looked out over Taipei’s lights and holiday decorations, feeling the magic of the season from high above.

Last December was truly unforgettable for our family. It felt like the perfect time to gather together, celebrate, and make memories that would last a lifetime. We all met up by the beach, not only as close family but as a reunion of relatives we hadn't seen in ages. It was a day filled with laughter, delicious food, and heartwarming moments.

We started off with a delicious sugba session, grilling fresh seafood and meats while everyone chatted and caught up. The kids splashed around in the waves, while the adults set up a little videoke station by the shore. There’s something about singing our hearts out in the open air that made it even more fun! Classic songs, old-school hits, and some spontaneous duets filled the day with joy.

Every December, my cousins and I would all gather to go caroling, or "mamasko," around different houses. We make our own instruments from whatever we can find, like bottle caps, sticks, rocks inside bottles, and even cooking pan lids. Often, we end up being chased by dogs or scolded by our parents for coming home late. After caroling, we would all gather up to split the money we’ve collected, sharing the fun and rewards of the night together.

During the Christmas season,my family and I, together with our relatives, would gather and celebrate. We would do fun activities like singing, dancing, playing, taking pictures and of course eating would always be present. My tita was the best cook in the family, and we often call her Tita Chef. She would cook foods like adobo, humba, carbonara, fried chicken, and her specialty would be "Puto Cheese."

My cousins and  I would get together and rehearse a dance. Since there are four of us and Blackpink is our favorite K-pop group, we  are known as the "Blackpink" group. Our performances have become a favorite tradition everyone looks forward to. Of course, the tradition of exchanging gifts will always be part of the celebration. We would always get excited when it is time for exchanging gifts. We would happily exchange gifts and open our gifts together.

Every December is a memorable December for me. There are many events that happen in our family every December; most women in our family are born in December, and as a Christian family, we also celebrate the most important event of the year, which is Christmas in December.

It all started at December 2016, it was my first time spending December with a big family since my mother got married to my papang, who has a big family. It was a whole new experience since I got used to just spending Christmas with my mother, titos, and titas. The new family I'm in combined their birthdays (my anma's and titas'), including my mother's, since she was also born in December. We celebrated their birthdays at Can-ayan, and it was so fun because there were a lot of foods, like for real. We also always play tons of games with my cousins and sing karaoke songs. I also made new friends since one of my cousins gave me a tour around their place. On Decembers, we also celebrate events in church like Thanksgiving and when I was still a kid me and my cousins joined Christmas Cantata.

Next, we celebrate Christmas; although we don't really do much on December 25, we only have some food for the celebration. Lastly, we celebrated a lot during December 31, it's our neighbour's birthday and we always get invited to their party, me, my cousins, and our friends always play together in the computer shop that our neighbor owned while the adults in our family prepare for New Year's Eve, our family usually celebrates Christmas with New Year's Celebration our family believes that Jesus Christ's birthday was not exactly the 25th of December so the actual celebration of Christmas is combined with New Year's Celebration, we did our exchanging of gifts and it's my first time that I've received a lot since there are a lot of family members in this family, that time before midnight we played games and ran outside while waiting for the fireworks. Every December is such a memorable core memory of my life, and I will be forever thankful to God who made me experience these Decembers.

Love binds us together in perfect unity.

Growing up in the Philippines, the holiday season always held a unique and special magic, creating memories I’ll cherish forever. Filipino Christmas is more than just a holiday; it’s an experience filled with warmth, family togetherness, joy, and centuries-old traditions that have been passed down through generations. Every aspect of a Filipino Christmas, from the early dawn masses to the abundant festive meals, radiates the spirit of unity, generosity, and gratitude. Here are a few of my most cherished memories that define what Christmas in the Philippines means to me.

The Christmas season in the Philippines starts as early as September, known as the “ber” months. This early start brings a festive atmosphere, with holiday songs filling the air and decorations beginning to appear. I still remember the thrill of setting up our Christmas tree with my family (specifically with my Lola), stringing up the lights, and hanging colorful ornaments. But nothing compared to the iconic "parol" lanterns — bright, star-shaped lights representing the Star of Bethlehem — that would glow outside every home. The parol has always been a vivid symbol of hope and light, and I will never forget the feeling of seeing those stars illuminating streets and villages, turning even the most modest neighborhood into a magical scene.

Another tradition I treasure is attending "Simbang Gabi," the series of nine early morning masses held before Christmas. The atmosphere around Simbang Gabi was unforgettable, with churches packed at dawn, the quiet yet uplifting melodies of the choir, and the faint chill in the air. After each mass, families and friends would gather around stalls selling native Filipino treats like "bibingka" and "puto bumbong." I can still remember the taste of the warm rice cakes, freshly cooked and topped with salted eggs, butter, and grated coconut. Sharing these treats in the early morning brought a sense of togetherness that felt as if the entire community was celebrating Christmas as one family.

One of the most memorable aspects of a Filipino Christmas is the noche buena feast, a grand meal held on Christmas Eve. Noche buena wasn’t just a meal but an event that brought my entire extended family together, a night when no one worried about time or the next day. The spread always included traditional dishes like lechon (roasted pig), hamonado (sweet ham), pancit (noodles), and queso de bola (edam cheese). The joy of laughing, eating, and exchanging stories with cousins, uncles, and aunts as we awaited midnight made every year feel unique and unforgettable. It was a night of deep connection and gratitude, where we appreciated not just the food but each other’s company.

Of course, Christmas in the Philippines wouldn’t be complete without "mano po" — a respectful gesture of taking an elder's hand to the forehead, asking for their blessing. For us children, this moment was special, as elders would give small gifts or "aguinaldo" in return, usually in the form of cash. It was not so much about the money as it was about feeling cherished and remembered by the older generation. Every "mano po" felt like a rite of passage, a tradition that taught us to honor family and keep our bonds strong.

Looking back, it’s easy to see why Filipino Christmases have left an indelible mark on my heart. Beyond the parols, the feasts, and the festive spirit, it is the warmth of family and community that makes Filipino Christmas unforgettable. Even as I grow older and celebrate Christmas in different ways, these memories remain a guiding light, reminding me that the true essence of Christmas lies in love, generosity, and the joy of shared traditions.