A Christmas to Remember
Christmas has always been a time that fills me with warmth and joy, a season that just feels like magic. Growing up in the Philippines, Christmas starts way before December. As soon as September arrives, you can already feel the excitement creeping in. The "Ber" months are something special here; it's like the whole country decides to start counting down to Christmas together. That’s when my family begins decorating, piece by piece, transforming our home into a little Christmas wonderland. Putting up the Christmas tree is one of the first steps, and each ornament holds its own memories from past holidays. But the highlight is the “Parol,” a beautiful, star-shaped lantern that’s always glowing outside our door. It’s like our own family beacon, bringing light to the neighborhood and letting everyone know that Christmas is on its way.
One of my absolute favorite Christmas traditions has always been caroling with my cousins. We’d start practicing our songs weeks before December, just waiting for the first chance to go out and sing. I’ll never forget the excitement whenever someone would shout, “Mamasko ta ta!”—the signal that it was time to grab our own made instruments and hit the streets. We made "bells" out of flattened bottle caps tied on a wire, just noisy enough to add a bit of rhythm to our songs. We’d go from house to house, singing with all the excitement in our hearts, hoping for a little reward at each stop. For us, it wasn’t only about the coins we’d earn, though the "extra baon" (extra allowance) was always nice. It was the thrill of feeling like we had worked for something on our own that made those nights special.
There were even times we were so eager that we started caroling as early as Halloween! I remember one year we decided to do it right around Kalag-kalag (All Souls’ Day), which is really meant for honoring departed loved ones. We were too young to think about it much; all we knew was that Christmas was coming, and we were just excited to start singing and earn our little "baon." To this day, it still makes me laugh running around with Santa hats and makeshift instruments in November, just too eager to wait.
But when December finally arrived, that’s when the true magic began. Caroling became more than just a kids’ thing; it turned into a family affair. My entire family would join in, from my lola and titas to cousins of all ages. We’d go out in groups, harmonizing and singing our hearts out as a family. We had our route down to an art, starting from one end of our neighborhood and visiting homes. Our relatives were always our biggest supporters, slipping us a few extra coins with a smile. Some nights, we wouldn’t finish until nearly 10 p.m., our voices tired but our hearts full. At the end of the night, we’d gather together to divide the earnings fairly, then go to bed with the happiest kind of tiredness, well a Christmas tiredness.
When Christmas Eve came, it was a different kind of celebration. This time, everyone gathered at home, filling it with laughter and the smell of Christmas food. I loved those nights, the way we’d all be together, eating, talking, and sharing stories. It felt like the whole world paused just for us, for our family. As midnight approached, we’d count down the seconds, waiting to wish each other a Merry Christmas right at 12 a.m. Those midnight moments were some of the most special, filled with hugs, laughter, and a feeling of pure joy that’s hard to describe.
And as the holiday continued, so did our family traditions. New Year’s Eve was like the grand finale, a time when we’d combine the joy of Christmas with the excitement of the New Year. The entire family would gather one more time, playing games, exchanging gifts, and celebrating with so much laughter that it felt like even the walls of our home were joining in. It was a time when everything felt right, like the world was wrapped up in this perfect bubble of love and happiness.
Now, looking back on those years, I realize how much those traditions shaped me. Christmas is more than just decorations or presents. It’s about love, gratitude, and togetherness. Christmas reminds me to be thankful, to cherish the people around me, and to remember the deeper meaning of the season—the birth of Jesus Christ, a time to honor hope and peace.
As I get older, the way I see Christmas might change, but the spirit remains the same. The excitement of being a kid and singing Christmas songs at every door may have faded, but I’ve come to appreciate the deeper side of Christmas. It’s a time to reconnect, to give back, and to remember what truly matters.
This Christmas, I’ll celebrate with all these memories close to my heart, knowing that the true magic of Christmas isn’t something that fades with age. It’s a feeling, a reminder of love, family, and the joy of being together. No matter where life takes me, I know that Christmas will always bring me back to these moments, reminding me of the warmth, the laughter, and the light that will always be a part of who I am.