(Feel free to visit again since I’ll be updating the list every now and then)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! How I wish it’s this jolly and festive the whole year round everywhere since people seem to be friendlier, jollier, calmer (except with the traffic in the city), and extra generous and kind.

Last year was the first Christmas of our firstborn. We visited a couple of places with cute Christmas lights and our Chesca was still a baby so the lights and sound show was kinda too overwhelming for her. Now with 2 kids, it’s going to be double the fun for everything especially this holiday season. Our eldest now is crazy in-love with Frosty the Snowman and Santa Clause. I love it when kids show their preferences and favorite stuff. It goes to show that their personalities are taking shape already. They’re literally little human beings with their own identity.

So this year, here are some places (in no particular order) you could visit as a family to feel the Christmas spirit at its best. The kids and kids at heart will love it 🙂 You can take the kids around without spending too much and yet feel the happy Christmas spirit around. Here are some of our favorites:

• Manila Peninsula Hotel

Brief description: Every year Manila Peninsula hotel’s lobby transforms into a majestic place with its Christmas lights and elegant ambiance. This year, they have a 45-foot Christmas tree beautifully decorated once again. There’s also a giant gingerbread house upon entering the hotel’s main entrance. There’s also an advent tree and an interactive countdown at the Lobby. Bring the kids and kids at heart to a quiet, relaxing, happy Christmas ambiance while you have a snack, meal, coffee, dessert ate The Lobby.

There’s also The Christmas Concert at The Pen which has been a yearly tradition for the past 30 years. This year it will be on December 10. The music will include all-time classics and Christmas songs. For ticket inquiries call 02- 8872888 or email diningpmn@peninsula.com

• Ayala Avenue & the Ayala Triangle Gardens lights and sounds show

Where: Ayala avenue and Ayala Triangle Gardens Makati

Date, Time: from November 15, 2016 to January 8, 2017

Brief description: Ayala avenue is already lit up since last week with stained glass decors of the Nativity. Every year people wait for Ayala Avenue Makati’s lights to signal the Christmas season.

In Ayala Triangle Gardens, the lights and sounds show happen every 30 minutes from 6pm to 10pm everyday. It has been a tradition for the past 6 years for the busy workers and most families to visit the light and sounds show to a happy break form their hectic schedules. Crowds gather to witness the wonderful display of lights and sounds for Christmas. It’s free so you can stay there the whole evening 🙂

• Rockwell Center and Power Plant Mall

***photos by Power Plant Mall

Where: Rockwell Center and Power Plant Mall Makati

Brief description: Aside from the lights around the Rockwell Center and the outlined buildings as their signature display of lights for the festive season of Christmas every year for all their properties, Power Plant Mall transforms into a kid-friendly Christmas-decorated place where you’ll feel at home and relaxed.

There are polar bears, poinsettias around the mall, beautiful wreaths, lighted posts, Santa’s appearances, mall’s raffle promo with luxury cars as grand prizes, a Christmas countdown, and a big Christmas tree. No minions this year like last year.

Click here for more details.

• Rustan’s Makati’s Display and Department Store

Where: Rustan’s Makati

Brief description: Every year, Rustan’s Department Store changes from a regular high end shopping store to a magically decorated place. The department store and its shopping windows transform into magical Christmas displays every year. It’s our local  Macy’s in New York where their windows have moving Christmas display where people flock to watch and enjoy. I remembered our Christmas in New York just before I got pregnant with our firstborn.

I love going to Rustan’s and you’ll surely feel Christmas in their home section where all the Christmas trees of different themes and designs are displayed.

• Yuletide Glaze at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel

***photos by Edsa Shangri-La

Where: Edsa Shangri-La Ortigas

Brief Description: This year, Edsa Shangri-La transforms into a candyland Christmas. Your little ones will love the candy-decorated Christmas tree at the Lobby Lounge/ lobby area. You may have your picture taken in the candy land train station area too. Such a unique and sweet Christmas!

• COD Christmas show in Greenhills Shopping Center

Where: Greenhills Shopping Center San Juan

Date, Time: November 12, 2016 to January 1, 2017

Brief description: One life. One story. One fairytale. Show is every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11:30pm daily. Watch the story of Christmas and more on moving display just like in the 80s and 90s.

What’s COD? It means Christmas on Display. I remembered watching this in Fiesta Carnival Cubao Quezon City while sitting on my papa’s shoulder or while sitting on top of our car.

• Disney on Ice 

Where: Mall of Asia Arena

Date, Time: December 25, 2016 to January 4, 2017. For ticket prices & purchases and show times, click here

Brief description: Description from http://www.disneyonice.com

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on a walk down memory lane in colorful celebration of magic, spirit and family fun. Dory is back along with loved ones Nemo and Marlin from Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory. Dive deep into the ocean with your favorite school of fish in a brand new journey of discovery as they learn a few things about the real meaning of family. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa, and the hilarious Olaf from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love is the greatest magic of all. Nothing is out of reach for Rapunzel as her friends help light the way. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs make their own magic and learn we can do ANYTHING with our friends in tow. Buzz and Woody will have you jumping out of your seat in a foot-stomping showdown; Simba, Timon and Pumbaa prowl the Pridelands; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie show friendship is fearless; and your favorite Disney Princesses stay strong and journey on. Make unforgettable memories as you explore The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice!

• Hi-5 Fairytale

Where: Resorts World Manila (3rd Flr., Newport Mall Newport Blvd., Newport City, Cybertourism Zone, Pasay City)

Date, Time:

December 16, 17 & 18, 2016 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday )

Brief description: Click here to buy tickets online and for other details of the show

• Epic Sights and Sounds Spectacle at Bonifacio High Street

Where: Bonifacio High Street Taguig City

Date, Time:

It’s a multimedia lights-and-sound show that goes on every 30 minutes from 6-10pm until December 26, 2016.

• Hello Kitty LIVE! Fashion and Friends

Where: Open Parking, SM City Santa Rosa

Date, Time: December 20, 2016 to January 1, 2017

Brief description: Click here to buy tickets online and for other details