Christmas is just 35 days away, and the excitement is already in full swing. This season is a time for many Filipino families to reconnect, share laughter, and hold on to traditions passed down for generations. But with all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos and forget to simply enjoy the season with loved ones.

This post will help you make the most of the 35 days left before Christmas. It’s packed with fun, easy-to-do activities and ideas that reflect the warmth and togetherness of the Filipino holiday spirit. They’re also the traditions our family never forgets to practice yearly. So whether you’re planning the Christmas feast or gearing up for an epic family game night, there’s something here to help you celebrate the season with love, laughter, and a little more joy.

Decorating the Home Together

Decorating the home is one of the most anticipated traditions during the holiday season. It’s when creativity and family time come together, creating a warm and festive atmosphere that sets the tone for the weeks ahead. For some, it’s a well-rehearsed routine, while for others, like me this year, it’s a bit of an experiment.

Every year, my nanay would always task our house helper with putting up the Christmas tree, but this year, I’ve decided to give our two-decade-old tree a much-deserved break. It’s time for something new! I went ahead and bought several holiday decorations online—clicking “add to cart” without much of a plan, to be honest. Now, I have no idea how everything will come together.

We’ll be putting it all up this weekend, so it’ll be a mix of excitement and mild suspense. Let’s see if my random choices create a Pinterest-worthy setup or something that looks more like a fiesta gone rogue. Either way, it’s not about perfection. It’s about sharing laughs, listening to Christmas songs, and making a mess we’ll happily clean up afterward.

I’ll probably edit this post to update you on how it turned out, but here’s a tip—don’t forget to involve everyone in the family. Whether it’s hanging parols or finding the perfect spot for the Belen, it’s these moments of teamwork (and occasional bickering) 🙄🙄 that make decorating the home truly special.

Planning the Christmas Dinner

In many Filipino households, planning the Noche Buena feast is a tradition all on its own. It’s the anticipation, the endless suggestions, and the excitement of imagining the table filled with delicious dishes. At home, our dinner conversations starting in October often become brainstorming sessions for what we’ll prepare for Christmas Eve. Honestly, no night feels complete without tossing ideas back and forth.

Last year, we kept it classic with a pot roast as our main dish, truffle mashed potatoes, garden salad, Christmas ham, hot chocolate, and, of course, spaghetti—because what’s a Filipino celebration without pasta? This year, we’re thinking of switching things up with a Mexican-inspired menu. Picture chicken fajitas, lasagna (okay, not Mexican, but it’s staying), Biscoff cheesecake, the usual garden salad, and Christmas ham. But, knowing us, everything’s still subject to change up until a few days before Christmas Eve. 🤣🤣🤣

The beauty of planning the feast is how it brings everyone together—even if half the time, we end up debating over what to include. It’s these small, everyday moments of connection that make the holidays so meaningful. Whether the final menu is traditional, experimental, or somewhere in between, the most important thing is having everyone gathered around the table, sharing laughter, stories, and food made with love.

Movie Nights

Holiday movie nights are a staple in our home, and they’re always something we look forward to as the kids’ Christmas vacation draws closer. By the 20th, when school’s officially out, the TV becomes our little portal to holiday cheer. Classics like Home Alone and Baby’s Day Out are must-watches every single year. There’s just something about Kevin’s hilarious antics and clever traps that never gets old, no matter how many times we’ve seen them.

These evenings are simple yet unforgettable. We’d heat up some popcorn, gather in the living room, and spend hours laughing our hearts out. Movie nights remind us to pause, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. These days, Netflix has made movie nights even more exciting with its lineup of Christmas films. Modern favorites like The Christmas Chronicles and The Princess Switch are just as entertaining and quickly becoming part of our holiday rotation. Mixing the old with the new is nice, keeping things fresh while still holding onto that nostalgic charm.

Monito Monita

Monito Monita, or exchange gifts, has always been a highlight of our family’s holiday celebrations. Every year, each side of the family organizes one, and it’s more than just giving presents—it’s a whole production of fun and laughter. We start by picking secret code names, which adds a layer of mystery to the entire thing, and then we blind-pick our Monito or Monita. It’s like drawing names out of a hat but with an extra sprinkle of excitement. But since everyone’s so busy, we use a randomizer app. 🙄

To keep things interesting, we spice it up with weekly themes for minor gifts. Themes like “something long and soft,” “something sweet,” or “something personal” always bring out everyone’s creativity—and, let’s be honest, their sense of humor. For the major gift, we each make a wish list so we get something we truly want. Of course, there’s always a set budget for fairness. Lol. 😂😂😂

The real fun starts on the actual day of gift-giving. My nanay, being her creative soul, came up with a special song we all have to sing and dance to before handing over the gift. I can’t even remember the lyrics, but I remember the uncontrollable laughter every time. By the end of it, we’re all in stitches. Then comes the mandatory photo of the gifter and the receiver, because what’s a family tradition without a little documentation for posterity?

Party Games

What’s a family Christmas party without games? In our family, they’re a staple—always filled with laughter, competition, and a bit of strategy (especially when cash rizes are involved). We stick to classics like Bingo, where monetary prizes are up for grabs, but we also love trying out new and trending games we’ve stumbled upon online.

Last year, we played a hilarious game where we taped plastic cups at the edge of a table and let each participant roll a plastic ball toward them. Wherever the ball landed, they’d win the prize in that cup. The catch? Prizes ranged from P5 to P500, so you had to channel all your luck for that perfect roll!

The year before, we got creative with a large basin filled with assorted paper bills. Each person was blindfolded, given a flat ladle, and had five seconds to scoop out as much money as they could. Whatever they managed to scoop was theirs to keep. Watching everyone frantically scoop while laughing at their attempts was entertainment in itself.

These games are more than just a way to win prizes—they’re moments of pure joy, loud cheers, and shared memories. Whether it’s the thrill of trying to land the P500 cup or the chaos of blindfolded scooping, these games remind us why family time during the holidays is so special. After all, it’s not just about the prizes (okay, maybe a little); it’s about the fun and togetherness that come with every laugh and cheer.

Take Away

The holidays are a fleeting but magical time to reconnect, laugh, and create memories that linger long after the season ends. As you prepare for the festivities, embrace the chance to slow down and truly enjoy the season with your loved ones. After all, the most meaningful gifts you can give are the moments spent together.