The holiday season is upon us, and while the festive spirit is in the air, finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones can sometimes be a daunting task. However, spreading joy doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. In this guide, we'll explore a myriad of thoughtful and budget-friendly gift ideas that will make this Christmas special without breaking the bank.

Personalized DIY Gifts:
There's something truly special about receiving a gift that someone has put time and effort into creating. Consider making personalized DIY gifts like homemade candles, photo albums, or hand-knit scarves. These items not only showcase your creativity but also carry a sentimental value that store-bought gifts often lack.

Source: Martha Stewart's DIY Holiday Gifts 

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring... except for you, as you prepare to navigate the festive minefield of the holiday season. As we delve into the jolly jamboree that is Christmas, it's crucial to remember that even the most spirited celebrations can take a wrong turn. To ensure your yuletide cheer doesn't turn into yuletide chaos, here's a list of five entertaining yet cautionary tales—what NOT to do during this most wonderful time of the year.

1. The Carol Catastrophe: Musical Merriment or Festive Faux Pas?

In the realm of festive feasts, few dishes hold the iconic status that Christmas ham does. As families gather around the table to celebrate the holiday season, the succulent aroma of ham often takes center stage. But how did this delectable tradition begin, earning its place as a Christmas culinary staple?

The roots of Christmas ham trace back centuries, with its origins deeply intertwined with cultural practices and seasonal festivities. One prevailing theory suggests that the tradition of serving ham during Christmas can be linked to ancient pagan celebrations. In many cultures, pigs were slaughtered during the winter months, and the meat was cured and preserved to ensure a stable food supply throughout the colder season.

As Christianity spread across Europe, the practice of feasting on ham during the winter months continued, blending seamlessly with the Christmas festivities. The timing of these winter pig slaughters coincided with the Christmas season, giving rise to the association between ham and the holiday. The salt-curing process not only preserved the meat but also imparted a distinctive flavor that became synonymous with Christmas indulgence.

The specific term "Christmas ham" began to gain popularity as the dish became a focal point of holiday celebrations. In medieval England, for example, the tradition of serving a boar's head as a centerpiece during Christmas feasts was well-established. Over time, this evolved into the more familiar ham we know today, as the boar's head was gradually replaced by the easier-to-obtain and equally delicious ham.

Fast forward to the New World, and Christmas ham continued to evolve. In the United States, the Southern tradition of serving ham during the holidays became deeply ingrained, with many families adopting the practice during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The influence of Southern cuisine on Christmas ham spread throughout the country, solidifying its place as a beloved holiday dish.

The Western civilization may have influenced us, Filipinos, with the Christmas celebrations, but one thing is for sure, this celebration is uniquely Filipino in so many ways. 

Just recently, one of the oldest and historical hotel in the Philippines, Th Manila Hotel, welcomed the holiday season with a lively celebration infused with Filipino traditions during its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The centerpiece of the celebration was the magnificent Christmas Tree, carefully decorated with luxurious golden Ilang-Ilang blooms, a tribute to the official flower of the Grand Dame. The color scheme included a pleasing mix of gold, earthy tones, and lively red, resulting in a visually striking presentation that captured the spirit of the season. Mr. Rachy Cuna, Creative & Design Director at The Manila Hotel, conceived and brought to life the idea for this holiday décor.

 

In the course of time, things change. As for our well known place, Greenhills, has its own changes as well. For one, it's being called as 'GH' and for sure more changes to come.

This Christmas season feel and see what GH has to offer. Check out the earliest treat of GH.

Get ready for a joyous shopping experience at the GH Night Market. This yearly event offers families and friends the perfect opportunity to come together for food, shopping, lively music, and festive decorations.

Last November 8 marks the official opening of the GH Night Market at GStrip Parking. The event features a lively marketplace with delicious food and unique products from across the country.

 

Exciting and enticing! For someone who's a frequent visitor of its establishments, we do look forward to enjoying a happy and fun visit at SM Supermalls. It seems that its yearly extravagance are always expected. So, SM Supermalls brings back the excitement in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience that will make every Filipino’s Christmas happier and brighter.

Ode to outer space: An out-of-this-world celebration starts at SM Megamall
SM officially ushered the holiday season with an out-of-this-world celebration at the Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall on October 20.

The mall’s mega Christmas Tree decked in stars and lights was lit, signaling the start of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas campaign. And starting October 20 until December, SM shoppers can have a glimpse of the universe through SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey. The 3D LED tunnel transports individuals into space and allows them to view it immersively.

If you missed the SM Megamall Christmas event, there are still more ways to celebrate the joys of the holidays. SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones! Check out the details below:

More Christmas Tree lighting activities in your favorite SM mall!
Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls will light up their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Check out the dates below so you can drop by your favorite SM mall and watch the lighting of its dazzling trees full of lights, stars, and colorful ornaments.

Santa-approved Christmas Playpark
Witness as your favorite SM mall opens a new world of Christmas with towering centerpieces, functional spaces, and sprawling activities at the Christmas Playpark. Explore the Christmas markets and play areas, and watch out for Santa appearances, character meet and greets, and other surprises! Plus, you also get to have a multisensory experience at the playpark’s light and sound shows, festive eats and holiday treats, and a whole lot more scents and feels that will embrace you in holiday warmth and ambiance.

Sparkling lights to brighten up your holidays
Christmas won’t be festive without lights. Be in awe as you pass by hallways decked with twinkling lights, illuminated tunnels, beaming driveways, and lit parking spaces as they glow at their best.

Dining out al fresco style at the Super Spots decked with lights
SM Supermalls has also created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!

Turn Christmas AReality at SM
Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!

Check out the Happiness Stations
SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.

Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love
Christmas is for the whole family including furbabies! Make them happy and feel loved by joining the Holiday Paw Play Dates and Costume PAWty. You can also flex them at the Christmas photo challenge and win amazing prizes, or shop for them at the Christmas markets. Also, SM Supermalls will be partnering again with organizations for a pet adoption drive so you can help the little ones find a home in time for the holiday.

Unlock a bigger, better, and brighter virtual Christmas Village
SM will reopen its virtual Christmas Village to bring an exciting, engaging, and rewarding holiday experience to Filipinos. Check out https://gosm.link/ChristmasVillage2022 as it goes live from October 28 to January 5 for an awesome augmented reality shopping, dining, and leisure experience. Create your own avatar, e-meet fellow shoppers and SM ambassadors, and enjoy bonding time with your family and friends while playing fun games at the immersive virtual Christmas zones made for you.

Create circles of happiness by buying products for cause-oriented programs
Since it’s the season of giving, you can support cause-oriented advocacies of individuals and organizations by purchasing products that provide opportunities and livelihood to marginalized sectors. For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative.

 

Celebrate Christmas this year with Star Cinema and kumu’s first ever collaboration movie “Love at First Stream,” an official entry to the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Topbilled by today’s rising stars Daniela Stranner, Anthony Jennings, Kaori Oinuma and Jeramiah Lisbo, “Love at First Stream” revolves around the new normal, where life is wildly digital. They are the Stream Team: the unstoppable dreamer Vilma (Daniela), the loyal lover boy Tupe (Anthony), the sweet girl-next-door Megumi (Kaori) and the bad boy heartthrob with a heart of gold Gino (Jeremiah).

Helmed by blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Molina, the film showcases these young characters and how they experience romantic relationships, family and fight for their ambitions and dreams.

The film marks the first ever lead roles of Daniela, Anthony, Kaori and Jeremiah in a film after they were launched as artists of Star Cinema’s talent management arm, Rise Artists Studio, in 2019. Daniela first showcased her acting prowess in the ABS-CBN teleserye ‘Make it With You,’ opposite Anthony, who starred in Direk Cathy’s last project prior to this film, the digi-movie series ‘The House Arrest of Us.’ Kaori, a former housemate of ‘Pinoy Big Brother: Otso,’ has been in several television and digital series projects including the ‘Four Bad Boys and Me’ in 2020 and the phenomenal series ‘He’s Into Her’ early this year with Jeremiah, who’s also part of ‘Make it With You.’ Jeremiah also starred in the hit movie ‘Four Sisters Before The Wedding’ and recently topbilled an ‘MMK’ episode featuring the life story of ‘PBB’ ex-housemate Ralph Malibunas.

‘Love at First Stream’ also marks Direk Cathy’s first ever film to be part of the MMFF and her movie comeback after ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ in 2019. More blockbuster films under Direk Cathy’s helm include ‘Four Sisters and a Wedding,’ ‘The Hows of Us,’ ‘She's Dating The Gangster,’ and ‘My Ex and Whys.’

Since the announcement of ‘Love at First Stream’ in July, it has been an interactive and immersive project as search for other cast members and even singers to record the movie’s official soundtrack were done via kumu campaigns.

“We found a way to make kumu users part of [the movie],” said Paolo Pineda, kumu’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Not necessarily the big stars, but they can star in the movie, they can sing the song for the movie and a few more things. It’s all in the grand plan to make this a movie the Kumunity can be proud of.”

Joining the cast of ‘Love at First Stream’ are Agot Isidro, Hyubs Azarcon, Igiboy Flores, Melissa Gibbs, Pinky Amador, Almira Muhlach, RJ Ledesma, Gail Banawis and Vien King in their introductory roles, with the special participation of Tonton Gutierrez.

Nothing’s gonna stop us to DO MORE, DREAM MORE and LOVE MORE with ‘Love at First Stream.’ You may catch it in your favorite cinemas starting December 25 Christmas Day, following minimum health and safety protocols.
v For more details about ‘Love at First Stream,’ follow the official Star Cinema account (@starcinema). Also, be sure to subscribe to the social media channels of kumu (@kumu.ph) on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter now. You can also check out the kumu blog for all the latest happenings in the Kumunity.

Don’t have the kumu app yet? It’s easy! Download the app at Google Play or the App Store, and start adding to cart! Visit our website kumu.ph for more information and insights into the exciting world of kumu.

Christmas stories or kwento are what we love most, so for this holiday season, we're sharing these five (5) things that GCash can do for you and your loved ones abroad. 

As we count down the days to the happiest time of the year, SM City Taytay invites everyone to officially unwrap a host of fun-filled activities, exciting deals, and thrilling surprises to light up the lives of everyone this holiday season. Join in on welcoming the majestic season at SM City Taytay’s HOLIDAY PIAZZA!

Piazzas are the beating hearts of a town or city. They can be big or small, intimate or dramatic, humble, opulent, old, new and everything in between. What all piazzas have in common is their symbolic importance: They’re the physical center of the community. There’s no better place to enjoy the jubilant season than in a piazza adorned with the magic of Christmas in every direction you face.

The atrium of SM City Masinag turns into a charmed oasis of reds, greens and golds as they launch their Christmas centerpiece, which is aptly named, Enchanted Christmas.