Culture & heritage · 7 picks · Updated
Filipino Christmas starts the second the -ber months hit, and the parol goes up in September. This list is for the titas who run the family group chat, the lola who still uses the rice cooker from 1998, and every cousin assigned to bring “something small” to Noche Buena (it is never small). Gifts they'll unwrap, use and maybe, just maybe, not save in the original box for a special occasion.
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The -ber months officially begin when this goes up. Some households skip the “take it down” step entirely.
Real-life use: A glowing window or porch star from September through Three Kings, or, honestly, March.
Check price on AmazonA rice cooker upgrade is a love language. The old one will retire to the garage, where it will be kept forever “just in case.”
Real-life use: Perfect rice for every meal, with keep-warm for the cousin who shows up at 11 p.m. hungry.
Check price on AmazonCalamansi in a can, from Sanzo, a brand founded by Queens-born Filipino American Sandro Roco.
Real-life use: A bright mixer for party drinks, a lechon sidekick, an easy pasalubong for the host.
Check price on AmazonFor the cousin whose ube crinkles are requested at every party, by name, under threat.
Real-life use: Ube cookies, cakes, halaya and homemade ube lattes.
Check price on AmazonFinally, recipes written down, so nobody has to decode “just enough” and “until it looks right.”
Real-life use: Adobo, sinigang and kare-kare for the next potluck, no 9 p.m. calls to Tita required.
Check price on AmazonThe sweet-tangy red sauce that belongs on spaghetti, and we will not be taking questions.
Real-life use: Filipino spaghetti for the kids' party, a dip for lumpia and fried chicken.
Check price on AmazonSungka's close cousin: same sow-and-capture strategy, and somehow the titas still win every round.
Real-life use: Family game time after dinner; easy enough to teach the youngest pamangkin.
Check price on AmazonPairs well with
For whoever is hosting 30 people “casually.”
Pairs well with
Purple desserts, written-down recipes and a mug for the coffee break.
Save it for later
Saving ideas for later, or sending a not-so-subtle hint? Pin it or share it with the group chat.