My brother's fiance is from the Philippines, and I have just met her. What types of things could I do for her for Christmas to make her feel like she is part of our family, now, and to show her we have embraced her?
2007-11-26 12:32:18 · 11 answers · asked by royrox 5 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
here in the philippines we celebrate misa de gallo, or dawn mass, during the period between december 16 to 24. it will probably make your brother's fiance really at home if she gets to attend mass like that. but it is a filipino thing and maybe it is unique here in our country. i'm not sure but it's probably not practiced anywhere else. the thing is, family and church are central to our celebrations of christmas :)
2007-11-26 13:08:34 · answer #1 · answered by dharma_bum 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With the way your question is framed, I assume you are not spending Christmas with her in the Philippines. Otherwise, you will learn of these things FROM here and she will surely want you to be part of these traditions.
Previous answerers have given you a load of these traditions and you will conclude these are not exactly things that you can replicate in your country. Here are a few do-able things:
1. a midnight meal (12:00 midnight between December 24 and 25) is held in all homes in the Philippines. Food on the table should include edam cheeseball, sliced ham, bread, aand fruits. Hot chocolate for drinks.
2. Hang a Christmas tree, if these lighted trees are available in your neighborhood.
3. another midnight meal to usher in the new year. This time, the fruits must all be round (grapes, apples, etc).
4. Wear polka-dot dresses during the midnight meal. Local tradition is such that the dots represent money, so wearing polka dots will give you good luck in the coming year.
I figure these gestures will make her feel you exerted effort to show her you have embraced her. In fact, if your family has indeed embraced her, she will feel it without the trappings of these Filipino traditions.
2007-11-26 14:09:13 · answer #2 · answered by boyplakwatsa.com 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Filipinos also go to mass on the eve of Christmas day (December 24 evening) and then celebrate a Christmas feast or Noche Buena (some light food and sweets) on midnight Christmas day (12:01 am, December 25). It is a family affair that should not be missed. Calling some of her family members in the Philippines would also be important to her. Filipinos are family oriented.
2007-11-26 13:27:57 · answer #3 · answered by CDOguide 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends on her religion... but most are Christians, especially Catholics... well, traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses, known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass), or 'Simbang Gabi'... usually, the 'Simbang gabi' begins as early as four in the morning... for Filipinos, Christmas Eve on December 24 is the much-anticipated Noche Buena -- the traditional Christmas Eve feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare... Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the ticking of 12 midnight on 25 December, Misa de Aguinaldo (the Holy Mass celebrated to signify the Birth of Jesus Christ) is being celebrated...
2007-11-27 10:06:10 · answer #4 · answered by Juan C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't know how to go about giving you suggestions on what to do... I am not a Filipino, but do live in the Philippines so have an idea on what you might consider. Philippines is a country whose people live in large family groups (in the provinces it means that most relatives with a few exceptions, live in one area). These family groups celebrate Christmas, New Years, and other religious holidays together. Your future sister in law, like many Filipino overseas workers will not have that pleasure. My recommendation to you is then.....
With apologies to my friend Bopols, my suggestion to you is, if you want to make her feel like she is part of your family, show her how YOU celebrate Christmas, and show her that she is now also a welcome part of your family.
2007-11-26 14:41:46 · answer #5 · answered by luosechi 駱士基 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggests a midnight dinner feast on the first hour of Christmas? It's our tradition to hold this "noche buena" (spanish words for good night but it ended up to be a sumptous midnight meal for Filipino families on the first hour of Christmas).
There are just too many traditions in celebrating Filipino Christmas but it really needs a Philippine setting to get the real meaning and spirit.
2007-11-26 13:51:42 · answer #6 · answered by morning breath 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup we attend the nine mornings usually from 4:30 to 5:30, eat together, and of course gift giving...
Basically pinoys/pinays are grateful to anyone who is showing kindness to her/him, and I think you and your family are doing that so I think she's happy and feel welcomed by your simple gesture.
2007-11-26 16:05:26 · answer #7 · answered by Soop3rNLuVkJB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Misa de Gallo
Noche Buena
2007-11-26 18:37:11 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nine mornings, family reunion, treating the kids, courtesy visits to ninongs and ninangs, noche buena(midnight dinner)
ohh you need not do so much effort to show her she's welcome to ur family. real feelings shows anyway.
2007-11-26 13:21:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
giving the feeling that someone is loved and remembered.
2007-11-26 13:22:38 · answer #10 · answered by tisya 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋