It’s August, and believe it or not, we’re just one month away from the official start of Christmas. Yes, Christmas.
Only in the Philippines do people feel the shift this early. As soon as the calendar hits the first day of September, you immediately sense a change in the atmosphere. By September, October, November, malls start playing Jose Mari Chan classics, the morning air turns a little cooler, and conversations start to sound more festive.
Families begin planning, decorating, and even shopping. Everyone knows, whether they admit it or not, that the countdown forward Christmas and the busy season, has quietly begun.
While much of the world saves their celebrations for December, Filipinos embrace a longer runway. For us, Christmas is not simply a holiday and one of the all time Filipino favorites. It is a season that marks the return of joy, family time, and the small rituals that keep us grounded. This is the magic of the ‘Ber’ months, and it is something uniquely ours.
The Longest Christmas Season in the World
The Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world, and we lean into it proudly. Starting in September, the signs are unmistakable: Christmas trees begin popping up in living rooms and store displays, twinkling lights are strung along rooftops and fences, and Christmas carols play softly in groceries, tricycles, classrooms, and office lobbies. The country slowly begins to shift into celebration mode, and the rhythm of daily life adjusts to match.
People begin making lists, attending Christmas parties, and blocking off weekends for visiting friends and small reunions. Schedules fill up quickly, and even students and young professionals start feeling the change as school programs and exchanging gifts activities take shape.
The days grow shorter, but the feeling of anticipation stretches longer. There is always something to prepare for: family gatherings, reunion dinners, a trip to the mall for the perfect gift, or a quiet night at home enjoying the cooler weather.
Filipinos don’t celebrate early just for fun. We do it because we value time with the people we love. Starting in September gives us more chances to be present and more time to celebrate what matters.
A Tradition Rooted in Faith, Family, and Culture
Our long Christmas season didn’t come out of nowhere. It goes way back, all the way to Spanish-era customs like Simbang Gabi, the nine early morning Masses that begin every December. Waking up before sunrise, dressing in sweaters, and hearing church bells ring through quiet neighborhoods… that’s something generations of Filipinos have experienced.
And even before that, our communities were already shaped by rituals, songs, and a love for gathering. The parol, now a symbol of Filipino Christmas, started as a simple lantern used in religious processions. Now, it lights up homes, windows, schools, and city streets as early as September.
We also just love the idea of counting down. There’s something satisfying about seeing the days tick closer to something good. And because the season means so much to us, family gatherings, reunions, attending midnight masses, sharing comfort food, we want to make it last. Especially for OFWs who count the days until they can come home, or at least feel closer to their families, even from afar.
That’s why we start early. Because when you love something, you make room for it. And for Filipinos, Christmas isn’t just a day on the calendar. It’s something we carry in our hearts, starting the moment we hear that first carol in September.
Christmas Carols
As early as September, the sound of Christmas carols begins to fill the background of daily life. You’ll hear them in jeepneys, convenience stores, school halls, and homes. Whether it’s a beloved classic or a modern version, the music signals that it’s okay to get excited.
These songs are more than tradition. They hold memory. They remind us of childhood, community, and the times we spent gathered around radios, choirs, or karaoke machines.
They bring a familiar kind of comfort, like an old friend returning each year at just the right time. They also set the tone for the season’s festive atmosphere, making even ordinary days feel special.
Feeling the Season
By the time October, November, and December roll in, the atmosphere shifts even more. The air cools, evenings come sooner, and families begin to slow down.
It’s during these months that bed weather becomes part of the daily mood. Sweaters are pulled out of cabinets, sometimes even those gorgeous sweaters you save just for this time of year, hot drinks become a daily ritual, and staying home begins to feel even more special.
While it’s not a formal tradition, this stretch of cooler days and cozy nights adds to the emotion of the season. People spend more time together indoors, share longer meals, and take comfort in the calm between busy schedules.
In a culture that values togetherness, this is a welcome pause. These quiet, restful moments are often the ones that mean the most.
Noche Buena
After months of preparation, Noche Buena is the night everything comes together. Held on Christmas Eve, it is a celebration of family, food, and gratitude.
Some homes prepare elaborate feasts. Others keep it simple with their go-to comfort food. Either way, the meaning is the same: the people you love are with you, and that’s what makes the night complete.
Because Filipinos begin the season so early, this moment doesn’t feel rushed or unplanned. Families have had the time to think, prepare, and anticipate it. For OFWs and loved ones abroad, this single night carries even more meaning.
It is a connection point, whether shared in person or through a screen. And when the clock hits midnight, you feel it, this is the moment the whole season has been building toward. And just like that, we begin looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, with hearts still full from everything the season has brought.
Every Christmas Starts and Ends at Home
At the center of the ‘Ber’ months is a single truth: the season brings us back to where we belong. Every light we hang, every gift we wrap, and every dish we prepare is rooted in the idea of home. It’s not just about celebration. It’s about creating space for people to feel safe, remembered, and loved.
The significance of the ‘Ber’ months lies in how they allow us to stretch joy and connection over time. It reminds us that the holidays are not about a single day, but about the life that happens around them. And when we have a home that supports those moments, a place built with care like the communities created by Camella, we carry those traditions with us, year after year.
From family-centered house-and-lot neighborhoods to vertical residences developed by Vista Land, including most condos in key urban areas, the spaces we live in shape the way we celebrate together, both at home and in public spaces.
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