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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Luminaries and Life devider Unique Christmas traditions from around the world to inspire your holiday season

Unique Christmas traditions from around the world to inspire your holiday season

We asked our friends from different parts of the globe to share what it's like to spend the holidays in their homes

Published Dec 18, 2025 08:49 am
What makes Christmastime a true standout among all holidays is that it is rooted in joyful traditions and all kinds of merry-making. Some of these holiday routines and heritage are passed down through generations, while others are created to reflect changing times, personal journeys, and the places we now call home.
This season, we asked friends from different parts of the world to share the traditions—both big and small—that shape how they celebrate Christmas and the year’s end, revealing the moments that make the holidays truly meaningful.
Coralie Charriol
Coralie Charriol
My father always took us to church for the evening mass. After that, we have a family Christmas dinner with a big roast turkey on the table. My mother was the queen of Christmas. She doesn’t have just one tree—we have multiple trees. So, she had a tree that she decorated, and it was perfect. Then, she had the children trees where we could do whatever we wanted. Now, we usually have a pajama day on the 25th. We have a very big breakfast in the morning, and after that we open our gifts. Usually, we are in the mountains in Switzerland. On that day, we don’t go skiing, we just enjoy the snow and chill—Coralie Charriol, CEO and creative director of Charriol (Switzerland)
Lang Leav
Lang Leav
My favorite holiday traditions are like bookends. Outside my house, a grand old pōhutukawa tree ignites each December, its red blooms a prelude to Christmas. Then, after the joy of crackers and presents, the feast, and the FaceTimes, we settle in to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and count our blessings—Lang Leav, International best-selling author (New Zealand)
Sean Go
Sean Go
As a family, it’s important for us to spend time together during the holidays and exchange gifts. We also love sharing meals—we buy Chinese food and enjoy it at home, or we go to a Chinese restaurant. Part of the celebration is making time for both sides of the family. As a Chinese, it’s tradition for elders to give gifts or ampao to the younger ones, but once you’re married, you no longer receive ampao.—Sean Go, Filipino pop artist (France)
Carol Ramoran Hamilton
Carol Ramoran Hamilton
My family has never had fixed holiday rituals, mostly because we’ve spent so much of our lives in different countries and cities. In the absence of shared routines, I’ve started shaping my own—traveling solo during the season, giving myself the gift of quiet and discovery. I ended 2024 and started 2025 in Takayama, a mountain city in Japan’s Gifu prefecture. I had such wonderful experiences there with locals and really getting to know the country. I want to do something similar this year and let it become a small tradition of choosing my own new beginnings.—Carol Ramoran Hamilton, journalist and PR professional (Japan)
Veejay Floresca
Veejay Floresca
I love making scented candles and giving them as gifts to my friends. There’s something so special about handmade gifts—they’re thoughtful and personal. I also love cooking. When I host or attend potluck parties, I like to bring my special chili or baked lasagna.—Veejay Floresca, fashion designer and “Project Runway” season 21 winner (New York)

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