Here in Batangas we usually decorate our house with Christmas decors early September. Carolers, usually our neighborhood children make their rounds when clock strikes past 6PM singing their Christmas carols even if it’s out of tune.

Decorate on month of September.

Filipinos are usually accustomed on putting up decorations once the month of September started. You can see all kinds of Christmas lantern called “parol” hanging on their decks, hallways, doorways and even on offices and school rooms. These lanterns comes in different sizes, smaller ones can be seen on homes, offices, schools and larger ones with colorful lights can be usually found on churches, parks, malls, and larger buildings.

Forgetting resentment and dispute amongst relatives and friends.

This is one of the most important steps most Filipinos prepare to celebrate for the oncoming holiday. Philippines is a Catholic country and Filipinos knows and believes that to forgive and forget is the true spirit of Christmas.

Gathering 12 rounded fruits.

Having 12 round fruits on the table on Christmas day and on New Year is a belief that will attract good luck for the coming year. This could be any rounded shape fruit like watermelon, guava, kiwi, turnip, apple, grapes, amongst others.

Sending greeting cards.

Filipinos are family oriented and they value family very much .They always remember family members and friends on Holidays and they love sending Christmas greeting cards to them specially those in far lands to ease their homesickness.

Putting the nativity scene display.

Along with colorful, bright lanterns, the nativity scene of Mary and the three kings who found the Holy family by following the bright star is commonly seen in churches and sometimes on homes too.

Attending Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass)

Filipinos would attend the midnight mass. Midnight mass starts every year on December 16 for nine days. This is a preparation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. The church would be decorated with Philippine lanterns and vendors sell delicious Filipino foods in the entrance.

Students would also bring their own lantern “parol” to hang on their classroom ceiling and projects or assignments are usually about the celebration, Christmas songs, and making decorations.

Fireworks.

Filipinos loves fireworks. All kinds of fireworks/firecrackers are available for purchase and Filipinos always find fireworks irresistible and one of the accustomed way of celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Philippines.

Source: eHow

Tags: Chritmas, December 25, Pasko, pinoy christmas, September Season