WHENEVER September reaches our calendars, we Filipinos begin counting down the days before Christmas.
For us Filipinos, the month of September basically meant that it’s the beginning of the best season, which includes saying hello to our ninongs and ninangs as our Christmas idol, Jose Mari Chan, begins defrosting for his ‘Christmas in Our Hearts’ anthem.
Malls in the country began decorating their entrances with Christmas-themed countdowns, while children started listing their Christmas wishlists to be sent to Santa.
The month of September really does wonders for Filipinos, with the first day of the month marking the head start for Filipino Christmas planning.
During this time, we begin to plan the games we’ll be playing with our family on holidays, as well as the budget for our noche buena and Christmas gifts.
While many Christmas prep traditions have been well-familiarized for us, have you ever wondered how the new generations of adults now prepare for the Christmas season?
republicasia has reached out to Gen-Z to share their ways of preparing for the happiest time of the year.
23-year-old Christina comes to share that she doesn’t really plan her Christmas preparations due to her busy schedule. “September is just too early for me. I get that in Filipino culture excited tayo for Christmas, pero I don’t really plan that early because I have more important things to think about muna for the meantime.”
According to Christina, the perfect time for Christmas planning would be around November, as by then, she probably has the budget to plan the gifts she’ll be giving to her friends, loved ones, and inaanaks.
“As a kid, I remember being excited for Christmas kasi nga yung gifts diba, tas more gifts pa from ninong and ninang. As I got older, gusto ko ding ireplicate yung happiness na naramdaman ko as a kid by gifting stuff sa kids ng friends ko.” She shared.
Meanwhile, Christina’s plan for the holidays consists of her just celebrating with her family at home with simple meals and quality time. Christina said that after months of just working, she would like to take the time to spend with her loved ones.
“I love Christmas,” said 20-year-old college student Jay, in to his remark on Christmas day. “What made me love Christmas is the season itself, because it’s the time when I get to be surrounded by my family and cousins.”
When asked how he prepares for Christmas Day, Jay stated that he never really prepares for Christmas during the time of September and just usually waits until December comes.
Once Christmas Day occurs, Jay would just usually do their usual tradition on where he’d go to church on the last day of Simbang Gabi and eat with his family. He’d later spend the rest of his day by going out with his family, as Christmas Day is also the day when he gets to bond with his family.
