Christmas Parties: Overspending for the Season

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It’s that time of the year again where you’ll wake up with the scent of hot cocoa and newly-baked cupcakes coming from the kitchen, the sight of the pine tree covered with garlands, Christmas balls and a huge bright star at the top of the tree. The sound of the children outside singing Christmas carols and the presence of gifts and greeting cards as you feel the windy breeze coming from your window then you’ll know, it’s the season of Christmas again.

Christmas is a holiday held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed cultural holiday celebrated generally on December 25 by millions of people around the world. It is mainly accepted all over the globe. There are many ways a country celebrate this season.

Here in Philippines, the celebration of Christmas varies depending on the status of the group of people. Nevertheless, simple or grand, what’s more important is that you can feel the essence of Christmas. As a matter of fact, we Filipinos tend to be more generous if it is Christmas. We give gifts, money and food to those people around us. Personally I think this is the true essence of Christmas because after all it is the season of giving.

During Christmas, we tend to spend a bit over than normal but that is totally alright because ‘what’s the joy of Christmas without a party?’ We Filipinos often have a party during the Christmas season. The party often includes the exchanging of gifts, games, foods and plenty more. As for the elders, it is more costly for them because it is in our tradition to give gifts or money to friends, mates and their Godchildren. To put it simply, the one who is gaining during Christmas are the kids.

The Christmas season is celebrated in different ways around the world, varying by country and region. Elements common to many areas of the world include the lighting of Christmas trees, the hanging of Advent wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, and the creation of Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas carols may be sung and stories told about such figures as the Baby Jesus, St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Christkindl or Grandfather Frost. The sending of Christmas cards, the exchange of Christmastime greetings, observance of fasting and/or special religious observances such as a midnight Mass or Vespers on Christmas Eve, the burning of a Yule log, and the giving and receiving of presents.

During Christmas, we tend to forget our worries when it comes to money. It is indeed true that the season is costly but who cares? It is the time of the year where we overspend for enjoyment. We spent our money to buy the Christmas tree which will give the essence of Christmas inside our house. But we will not be contended with a plain tree, decorations are a must. Food is a crucial need for every holiday especially Christmas where you’ll need to prepare a bunch.

For Filipinos, Christmas Eve on 24 December is celebrated with the Midnight Mass, and the traditional Noche Buena feast. Family members dine together at around midnight on traditional yuletide fare, which includes: queso de bola sealed with red wax; chocolate, pasta, fruit salad, pandesal, relleno andhamón. Foods and decorations sounds too plain for Christmas so exchanging gifts became a tradition some families would also open presents at eating time. No matter what gift it is, it’s the thought that counts. Some elders even imitate Santa Claus to attract children. Some even give money to strangers and some even go to trouble of buying gifts especially for the person they love. But as stated before, no matter how simple or grand a Christmas is, the important part is to feel the essence of Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.


Contributed by Alyanna Castronuevo