The holiday season is the most anticipated time of year for Filipino families around the country. As the year winds down, there’s an unmistakable buzz in the air, signaling the arrival of the most festive, joyous, and heartwarming part of the year.
Christmas in the country a time to connect with family and gather for cherished traditions
For Filipinos, the holidays are more than just a break from work and school—they are a time for deep connections, cherished traditions, and the celebration of family.
From the colorful lights that adorn the streets to the smell of festive foods wafting from kitchens, the season brings a sense of unity that transcends distance and time.
Indulge in Filipino favorite food
One of the highlights of the holiday season is the annual family get-together, where everyone—siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even distant relatives—gather under one roof to reconnect, share stories, and, of course, indulge in their favorite Filipino dishes.
It’s a reunion filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a feast of delicious food that brings everyone closer together. Whether it’s a modest gathering in a cozy home or a grand celebration at a spacious family estate, these moments create lasting memories that are treasured for years to come.
Hosting a truly memorable celebration for everyone-young and old alike
As you prepare to host your own holiday gathering this year, you may find yourself wondering how to make it truly special. How can you create an atmosphere that feels welcoming and festive? How can you ensure that everyone, young and old, feels included and entertained?
What are the practical tips for hosting a gathering that runs smoothly, so you can enjoy the time with your loved ones?
This blog will guide you through key holiday hosting tips that will help you create a warm and memorable family reunion in your own home, so you can focus on what matters most—making memories with the people who mean the most to you.
Create lasting memories in your family reunion activity
Whether it’s a casual family get-together or a full-blown family reunion, these gatherings are about creating lasting memories, sharing stories, and celebrating traditions.
To many Filipinos, the highlight event of the holiday season is the Christmas family get-together.
Hosting the annual family reunion can be a lot, but we have some fresh ideas to tide you through the holiday season.
14 Tips for Your Holiday Family Get-Together:
If you’re hosting your family get-together this year, we have an amazing list of family reunion activities and party and event ideas to help ensure everyone has fun during the holidays.
Here are great tips to ensure your event is an unforgettable experience for the entire family:
1. Plan Ahead and Set the Tone
Select a date what works for the majority
Creating a detailed plan is key to ensuring your family get-together goes smoothly and is memorable. Start by selecting a date that works for the majority of your family and checking everyone’s availability early. Once you have the date, create a guest list that includes not just immediate family but also extended relatives and close family friends.
Identify a theme that will resonate with your family’s values and traditions
To set the mood, think about a theme that reflects your family’s traditions, such as a Noche Buena spread, parol-making, or a lechon feast. A theme can help guide the food, decorations, and activities, creating a festive atmosphere that brings everyone together.
Create a checklist for food preparation – and everything else you will need
Next, list everything you need for food preparation, including traditional Filipino dishes like lechon, pancit, lumpia, and desserts like leche flan or bibingka. Assign family members to help with different dishes, ensuring that there’s enough food to feed everyone.
Send invitations in advance
Send out invitations well in advance, whether through messaging apps or traditional paper invites, with all the necessary details like date, time, and location. Planning activities such as making parols or sharing family stories also encourages bonding time. With thoughtful preparation, your family reunion will be a celebration of togetherness, tradition, and joy.
2. Cook Ahead and Consider a Potluck Dinner
Prepare meals in advance
Food plays a central role in any Filipino party. At a Christmas family reunion, food is often the main event. It gets challenging when you’re hosting the whole family and have to cook for varied tastes. Preparing meals and cooking in advance will save you stress on the day itself.
For example, if you have a dinner event, you can prepare the food in the morning so you can be fully present during the family reunion night.
Alternatively, you can encourage family members to share their favorite recipes and food ideas at a potluck dinner.
This not only lightens your workload but allows everyone to enjoy cooking their favorite recipe. Plus, potlucks often lead to impromptu cooking tips and recipe swaps!
3. Create a Family Photo Booth
If you’re looking for unique family reunion activities, a family reunion photo booth could be a fun idea.A DIY family photo booth could be a hit that both kids and adults enjoy.
Set up a corner with props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and other Pasko-themed decors such as mini parols.
Bonus points if you can get your family members to help decorate and share ideas for the photo booth backdrop!
This family reunion activity helps capture memories and encourages guests to loosen up and have fun.
4. Organize Family Reunion Games
Games are a staple in every Filipino get-together! Include fun games for all ages, such as:
- Sack races for outdoor fun
- A water balloon toss for younger kids (or a water balloon toss between parents and kids)
- Board games for adults
- A family trivia game to test your family history knowledge
When you host these types of family reunion activities, you can make it an all-day event of games and fun.
Activities like those listed above can engage family members of all ages, from grandparents to parents and kids.
5. Set Up Outdoor Activities
Who says you can only host a family get-together indoors? If you’re one of those families that enjoy activities outdoors, you can take the party outside.
Take advantage of good weather by planning outdoor activities. A family hike to a nearby park or an outdoor movie night with lawn chairs and blankets is a wonderful way to bring everyone together.
These activities encourage spending time with each other and gather in a relaxed setting, day and night.
6. Host a Family Talent Show
Showcase your family talent with a talent show. Whether it’s singing, dancing, or storytelling, a talent show allows family members to shine.
A little friendly competition adds excitement, and you may even discover hidden talents in the younger kids!
7. Incorporate Story-Telling Family Reunion Activities
One of the most heartwarming ideas when hosting a Christmas party or casual family get-together is incorporating storytelling into the festivities. Filipinos are known for their strong family ties, and there’s something deeply special about sharing stories, whether they are old family anecdotes or new personal experiences. Set aside time during your reunion to focus on storytelling. You can invite family members to share their favorite memories from past holidays or to recount funny or touching moments that have shaped their lives. These stories help keep the family spirit alive and allow younger generations to hear firsthand about the lives and experiences of their older relatives.
To make the experience even more memorable, consider creating a family activity that celebrates your heritage. A family tree or timeline could be a fun and interactive way to honor your shared history. Imagine sitting around the table with your family, old photos scattered across the surface, as you piece together the timeline of your family’s journey. Each photo sparks a memory, and each story adds a layer to your understanding of who you are as a family. This activity not only brings a sense of pride but also encourages everyone to reflect on how your family has evolved over the years. It also provides a perfect opportunity for each family member to catch up on recent events, sharing personal stories of their own milestones, challenges, and triumphs. By the end of the evening, your home will be filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a renewed sense of connection that will linger long after the holiday season.
8. Encourage Guests to Join Fun Competitions
A family Olympics is a creative way to keep everyone entertained.
Organize active events like sack races, tug-of-war, or relay races. Adding a little competition makes for lots of laughs and unforgettable moments.
9. Have Fun with a Bake-Off
Turn dessert-making into a fun family reunion activity by organizing a bake-off.
Divide the family into teams to bake your favorite Filipino holiday treats like bibingka, leche flan, or puto bumbong. The entire family can then enjoy the desserts and treats together at the end of the night.
This is a great way for adults to enjoy cooking together while the kids decorate cupcakes.
10. Set the Ambiance with Music and Lighting
Creating a warm and festive atmosphere is essential to setting the tone for your family get-together. A few thoughtful touches can transform your home into a cozy holiday haven that encourages connection and celebration. Start by stringing up twinkling fairy lights across the walls or around the windows, their soft glow evoking the spirit of Christmas. Add a few tea lights or candles to tables and countertops, their flickering flames casting a gentle, inviting light that feels intimate and cozy. These elements not only brighten up the space but also create a calming, serene environment that invites people to relax and enjoy the moment.
To complete the holiday ambiance, play classic Filipino Christmas songs like “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit” or “Pasko Na Naman” in the background. The familiar melodies of parol-inspired carols and nostalgic tunes are sure to stir up feelings of warmth and togetherness. Music has a magical way of bringing people into the holiday spirit, and these beloved songs carry a sense of home, reminding everyone of family traditions, late-night celebrations, and festive gatherings from years past. With the gentle hum of holiday tunes in the background, your family will feel more connected, whether it’s through singing along or simply listening and reminiscing about Christmases gone by. A cozy setup with the perfect lighting and music helps everyone feel welcome, fostering a sense of comfort and joy that encourages your loved ones to linger, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company long into the night.
11. Prepare Fun Party Favors
A family reunion during the holidays doubles as a gift-giving event. However, you can get bonus points for hosting when you prepare party favors for your family and guests.
Get some small, thoughtful gifts and wrap them up in a personalized package.
Some ideas for party favors are baked treats, personalized mugs, or even a printout of the whole family tree for your family reunion.
These party favors are a heartfelt way to thank everyone for making the gathering special.
12. Host a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a hit among younger children and adults alike at any party. Hide holiday-themed items around your home or yard and give clues for family members to find.
This family reunion activity promotes teamwork and adds to the family fun.
13. Include Everyone in the Fun Ideas
Make sure the family get-together event has something for everyone. From fun activities for kids, like crafts and games, to relaxing setups for elders to chat, ensure every family member feels included.
This balance guarantees that everyone enjoys the day.
It’s also good to acknowledge that each family member has their own personality. Some might want to join in on board games and others are just happy to sit quietly and enjoy each other’s company.
14. Capture the Day for Future Reunions
Document the family reunion and Christmas celebration with plenty of photos and videos. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the person hosting the event has to be the one taking photos.
You can tap into your family member’s talents if anyone has a taste for photography. You can even take turns documenting your family reunion and create a shared photo album later.
Share them with the entire family afterward and save them as inspiration for the next family reunion. These mementos will help preserve cherished family memories for generations to come.
Make the Holidays More Meaningful With Family
To make each family reunion activity even more special, host your family gathering in your home in Camella.
Whether you’re hosting a large group or an intimate gathering, focus on spending quality time with your loved ones.
Being a good host includes preparing fun and memorable family activities, but remember that the essence of a family get-together is being present and enjoying each other’s company. After all, the heart of every Filipino celebration lies in celebrating relationships, traditions, and shared joy.
By incorporating these holiday hosting tips and ideas, your family gathering will not only be smooth but also filled with fun, laughter, and bonding time that everyone will treasure.
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