Top 6 Filipino Christmas Traditions 2017

We start off our countdown with the Christmas rush, which readers voted at number six. While it's not strictly a tradition, the Christmas rush is something that Filipinos have gotten used to. With holiday mall sales left and right, it's easy to get wrapped up in the holiday frenzy. Add to that last-minute gift shopping, Noche Buena grocery shopping, and the holiday traffic, and you'll find yourself in a situation that can test anyone's patience.

One way to avoid this Filipino Christmas traditions holiday rush is to plan ahead as early as September. Instead of shopping at brick-and-mortar stores, you can resort to online shopping, too. Just make sure to use the necessary precautions to avoid credit card fraud , as the usual scene in the Philippines Christmas Traditions

Read Last-Minute Christmas Shopping at Metro Manila’s Weekend Markets

Another Christmas tradition is monito monita, which is the Filipino version of Kris Kringle or Secret Santa. Monito Monita's real meaning is exchanging gifts and involves giving a schoolmate or officemate a gift based on a weekly theme that everyone agrees on. For example, gifts could be something sweet or something long for a given week. The gift giver's and recipient's identity would then be revealed at the school or office Christmas party. In this Filipino Christmas tradition, the grandest or most valuable gift is also given at this time.

The Filipinos' penchant for singing extends to the holidays. It is no surprise that caroling ranked number four in our survey.

You know it's already Christmas when you hear carolers sing "Ang Pasko ay sumapit," which translates to "Christmas has come." At this time of the year, carolers go from house to house to regale homeowners with songs of Christmas cheer. In return, they are given money or loose change during the Philippines' Christmas traditions. Kids can join in the fun, too. Aside from using their singing prowess, In Filipino Christmas traditions, Kids sometimes use musical instruments improvised or made out of recycled materials.

If there is one tradition that Filipinos have kept alive from our Spanish colonizers, it would be Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass).

Religious missionaries introduced the practice to Filipinos in 1668. Masses were then forbidden at night, so priests celebrated them at dawn. The time was also convenient for farmers or fishermen, allowing them to hear mass before going to work.

Today, Simbang Gabi offers churchgoers not only the chance to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. This Filipino Christmas tradition gives them an avenue to socialize with others or enjoy seasonal food like bibingka and puto bumbong .

Noche Buena, or the Christmas Eve feast, is the second most favorite holiday tradition, according to Yoorekka readers. Literally meaning "night of goodness," the dinner table is filled with perennial holiday favorites like ham, queso de bola, and fruit salad for the occasion.

Philippines' Christmas traditions trace their origins way back to the 16th century. Back then, Spanish friars required churchgoers to fast until Christmas morning. Since they became hungry after hearing midnight mass, This Filipino Christmas tradition came up with the idea of having an evening feast before going back to sleep.

Read 9 Supermarkets for your Noche Buena Grocery Shopping

The holiday season is best enjoyed in the company of family and friends. That's why our survey's top spot is Christmas reunions and parties.

Come the first or second week of December, schools, offices, and organizations celebrate the season by throwing a Christmas party. Aside from food, you can expect parlor games and song and dance numbers to be part of the program.

Filipino Christmas Traditions are also the time when family members or relatives from abroad come home. Since the month has a string of non-working holidays, family reunions are commonly held at this time of the year.