That Filipinos have the longest Christmas season in the world has been established and written about countless times. You know the drill; it starts on the first of September lasting all the way until the first week of January.
Aside from the chance to gussy up our homes and places of work with tinsel and lights, another reason why the end-of-year holidays are big with Pinoys is because it means we get to reunite with friends and family. One can be certain of this: there will be food and drink, and there will also be a lot of singing involved.
With the year we’re all still wading through right now, that’s definitely something to look forward to.
To get shoppers into the spirit of things, Rustan’s tapped several creative types to decorate a Christmas tree and style a holiday vignette using items available at the store. The fifth floor of the Makati store is already bedecked with garlands and fairy lights.
Interior designer Chat Fores chose a predominantly red and white motif that she imagined Santa’s grand salon would look like. She adorned her tree with candy-cane ribbons, velvet bows, porcelain ornaments, and sparkling glassware surrounded by oversized peppermint accents. Leather-inspired nutcrackers and a refined chess table from Prizmic & Brill add sophistication to the setting, creating the impression that Santa has just stepped away from his favorite holiday retreat.
For her display, interior designer Cyndi Fernadez-Beltran came up with a back story of a Filipino based abroad who has done well and is home for the holidays. The person may be back in the tropics but he or she longs for both the calm of a quiet winter morning and the warmth of a Filipino Christmas.
“Instead of bright, traditional holiday colors, the look relies on rich textures and natural materials,” Beltran said in a statement.
She layered heavy frosted pine branches with capiz-inspired floral wreaths, natural weaves, and carved star parols.
“The white snow overlay evokes the soft, cozy light of a northern winter morning, while the raw wood and hand-woven elements bring the tree back to something unmistakably Filipino, and unmistakably home,” Beltran added.
Swedish holiday styleSwedish home brand Ikea is also revving up for Christmas with the launch last Sept. 17 of two of its recurring holiday collections, Vinterfint and Strala, now available at the 2026 Ikea Christmas Shop.
The first takes inspiration from classic Swedish traditions while offering contemporary styles suited for modern living. Inspired by Swedish folklore, the range features a mix of classic and whimsical tabletop accents, plush figures, artificial greenery, and tree ornaments.
On display and for sale that evening were red-capped mushroom ornaments, candy or cookie jars shaped like a red-breasted robin or a reindeer, and accordion-folded tabletop trees sold in boxes of four.
For hosting and dining, Vinterfint introduces seasonal baking accessories, festive table linens, and serving pieces designed for holiday family meals. The collection also provides convenient gift-wrapping options, including patterned wrapping paper and multicolored bags.
A favorite, the Strala collection consists of energy-efficient LED lamps, star-shaped paper lanterns, fairy lights, and decorative tabletop illuminations designed to create a warm, inviting glow throughout the home.
The star lanterns are perfect for those living in smaller spaces. They look beautiful whether displayed singly, in a row or in a cluster. The best part is that they fold flat and can be repeatedly used. Just remember to keep the box each star comes in for easy storage.
“For the first time, Ikea Family members can now avail of Family discounts online. They don’t need to go to the physical store anymore to do that. Members just need to type out their membership card number upon checkout at Ikea.ph,” said Heirvy Nicolas, Ikea Philippines’ sales leader.
Reasons to grooveChristmas in the Philippines always includes music whether it’s carols, contests or karaoke. JBL continues to shape how people experience sound with its latest lineup of audio innovations.
On Sept. 23 at Elan by the Bay, the team introduced their newest crop that included a modern version of the nostalgic ‘70s lava lamp complete with groovy shifting light. The highlight of the evening was the launch of the JBL Pulse 6, the latest evolution of the brand’s iconic light-and-sound speaker. Shaped like a tabletop lamp with a handle, the Pulse 6 can be toted from one room to another.
For the full experience, turn the lights down low. Sunset Mode gradually dims the lights for a relaxing wind-down while the Bedside Lamp feature provides a soft glow with a simple double tap.
The brand also launched its most powerful portable speaker yet, the JBL PartyBox Ultimate 2. It delivers 1500W of JBL Legendary Sound, over 36% more than its predecessor.
The unit’s upgraded acoustic system combines professional-grade tweeters, mid-range drivers, and powerful woofers for deeper bass, richer vocals, and greater detail. An immersive full-panel lightshow and touchscreen controls bring the party to life, while built-in EasySing AI Vocal Removal transforms favorite tracks into karaoke-ready songs, while interactive party games keep the fun going.
In the Philippines, it’s never too early to raise some Christmas cheer.
