Celebrating an all-inclusive Christmas

Be cautious in decorating with electrical Christmas lights. Opt instead for solar or battery-powered ones for safer celebration. —CONTRIBUTED

It’s never too early for Christmas, at least in the Philippines.

While some people may find early Christmas decorations a bit strange, for many it’s the perfect way to spread happiness and good vibes. So if you’re the type who is looking forward to the holidays, but not wanting to alienate your neighbors, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips on how to decorate for Christmas the all-inclusive way.

Remember safety first

Christmas lights and Advent candles have always been popular in Filipino homes, but in recent years the occurrence of house fires and accidents has spiked during the Christmas season.

For a safer (and more enjoyable!) season, why not opt for solar lights and LED candles instead? These alternative light sources not only spread cheer with their warm glow, they will also allow you to save on electricity bills during the holidays.

Turn holiday decorating into a family affair to make it more enjoyable.

Turn decorating into a family affair

Some of us become stressed out with the idea of spending a fortune on Christmas baubles or toiling hard to put up Christmas ornaments. To avoid these scenarios, consider turning Christmas decorations into a fun family activity.

To save on costs, consider making your own decor instead of buying with your kids or loved ones. You can try making snowflake cutouts, sculpting paper-mache baubles or even baking a gingerbread house. The possibilities are endless.

When it comes to setting up the decorations, meanwhile, put on some Christmas tunes to make the activity more enjoyable. Do not overexert yourself in trying to hang ornaments on the top of your tall garden trees or posts. Remember that it’s all about bonding and making great memories. Just have a laugh and a half at the things you can’t reach and stick to what is doable and safe.

Put up secular decorations outside to get even your non-religious neighbors into the merriment.

Go for secular decorations outside

If you want to spread hohoho to everyone, it’s best to go with secular decorations such as Christmas wreaths, reindeers and snowmen on your house facade and in public areas. While the Philippines is predominantly Catholic, putting up secular decorations will allow our friends from other religions to share in the revelry.

While you are free to decorate the house as you please, people would surely appreciate it if you are mindful of the diversity of your neighborhood.

Put a time limit on the carols

Some of us enjoy Christmas songs so much that we get carried away belting out tunes on the radio or karaoke till the wee hours of dawn.

Remember that you have neighbors who appreciate silence at night, especially those who are

trying to put their children to sleep or catching up on rest after a hard day’s work.

Minimize the volume on your stereo so that you won’t disturb other homes past nine in the evening. Better yet, set your player to turn off automatically at a designated time. Wear headphones instead if you still wish to continue playing the merry songs for your personal enjoyment.

Rather than stressing out on expensive gifts, consider making homemade ones or give the gift of experiences.

Identify your social (and budgetary) limits

With family reunions occurring during the Christmas season, many of us are compelled to splurge on fancy gifts, clothes and even hair dos to please our relatives. Remember that this season is supposed to be a meaningful and love-filled affair, so you don’t have to put pressure on yourself to please everyone.

If you find gift-giving heavy on your wallet, consider making personalized keepsakes such as hand-drawn Christmas cards, baked goodies and knitted clothes for your loved ones. You can even give the “gift of experience” by taking out your loved ones to do enjoyable activities such as visiting the beach, enjoying public holiday decorations or just hanging out together.

For new looks, learn a new way to do your hair. Revamp your wardrobe by trading clothes with your friends or scourging ukay-ukays. Christmas, after all, is not entirely a commercial affair. Remember to cherish the things that matter with your loved ones and be thankful for the things that you do have this season.

Remember to cherish the things that truly matter this Christmas season.

Have the best holiday

Overall, Christmas is early in the Philippines for a reason. We Filipinos enjoy the season so much because it celebrates our core values: family, love, and care for others. Do not fret over political correctness, tight schedules or budget constraints during the season.

Make the most out of the revelry by taking care of yourself, your family and your neighbors to the best of your abilities. Have a great holiday this year and enjoy the season!

Photo Sources: Any Lane, Jeswin Thomas, Dzenina Lukac, Gustavo Fring and Barry Plott via pexels.com

Ar. Vittoria Mawis-Aliston

A Filipino architect who has a Master's Degree in Interior Design of Commercial Spaces from IED Barcelona, Spain and with twelve years' worth of experience under the tutelage of Filipino architectural firms.