Story highlightsThe Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world -- from September to JanuaryThe festive season is marked by traditional masses, spectacular light displays and family gatheringsTraditional paper and bamboo lanterns known as 'parols' light up many Filipino villages and townsSome villages organise contents for the best Christmas decorationsRead: Five real-life winter wonderlandsStudent Christian Ian V. Bordo from Laguna province in the Philippines loves the beautiful 'parols', lights created by artisan Francisco Estanislao in 1928 and originally made of bamboo and paper that are hung up throughout towns and villages.Read: Beautiful Christmas lights around the worldStudent Martin Jarmin from Los Baños, Laguna, says the light displays in his town's local gardens regularly dazzle residents.Decorations can also inspire a competitive spirit. Student Miaflor Tatlonghari said that in some local villages, they organize contests for the most beautiful Christmas decorations.

The tree set up by her home in Santa Rosa City was at least 30 ft tall - and larger ones are not uncommon.Photos: Santa sightings around the worldiReporter Mae Anne Alejandrino from Cabuyao in Laguna province loves the mouth-watering Christmas delicacies from food stall sellers who set up beside an enormous display of Christmas lights, showcasing the dizzying breadth and variety of Filipino cuisine.iReporter Janoah Ami Soriano's poignant images showed the plight of children forced to leave their homes after a series of deadly typhoons caused severe flooding in August in some parts of the country. Show us what the Christmas festivities look like in your part of the worldMama ChristmasWeird ChristmasFirst ChristmasChristmas TreesFilipino Christmas DecorationsFunny Christmas VideosTraditional Christmas TreeVideo FunnyPhilippines UnitForwardChristmas in The Philippines - Traditional Christmas Tree made of twigs- Our very first Christmas tree in Dec. 1984Christmas decorations should all be about magic.

What better way to welcome the holidays than focusing on what truly matters and turning your home into a magical place of joy?We’ve compiled a collection of beautiful living rooms featuring charming Christmas decorations. We believe that transforming the core of your home — wherever that may be — into a cozy and colorful interior allows that magic to take place.Whether you have a fireplace with stockings, a decorated Christmas tree, a colorful lighting installation or a creative message on one of the walls, the living room is the focal point of many residences and should set the tone for the entire house.We hope the photos below will help to inspire you this holiday season. Prefer less traditional decorations? Check out these modern Christmas decorating ideas.30 Christmas Desserts for a Sweet Holiday These aren't your scraggly, Charlie Brown Christmas trees (although those hold a special place in our hearts too). Decorate your evergreen top-to-bottom using these festive holiday themes as inspiration.

Santa Claus StyleSanta Claus StyleCelebrate the guest of honor by copying St. Nick's style. home decor store riverside caStick to red and white ornaments, including candy canes, and top the tree with a fur-trimmed hat. tag home decor chicagoSee more at Good Housekeeping »metal wall decor scroll Rustic WoodlandRustic WoodlandA cozy Christmas in the country requires (battery-operated) candles plus wooden ornaments. christmas tree store boston maRound out the scene with a pair of old-fashioned snowshoes and bottle-brush trees in place of a skirt. best exterior paint for minnesota

See more at Country Living » 25 Outdoor Christmas DecorationsA ferris wheel is transformed into a massive lantern; walmart christmas decorations for 2014a mesmerizing, hypnotic art installation; traditional, elegant holiday decor at a beloved hotel, and more MANILA, Philippines – In the Philippines, Christmas starts early – but as you get closer and closer to the big day, more and more establishments join in on the fun. The various malls and hotels in the metro have already gotten into the holiday spirit, with gorgeous decor and glowing exhibits for spectators to enjoy. Here are only 7 of many beautiful Christmas exhibits this year. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let us know in the comments below and send us a picture of beautiful public Christmas displays near your area. This immersive, larger-than-life art installation at SM Aura Visit SM Aura Premier's Astreopora Light and Sound Art Installation by Leeroy New.

The installations create a visual of marine creatures reaching up towards the sky, celebrating the Philippines' biodiversity and our own connection to the natural world, according to a release. Where: SM Aura's Sky Park Lawn When: until January 10, 2016 Return to Manila Pen Always one to go big in the holiday season, The Peninsula Manila doesn't disappoint this year with its sweeping decor and the centerpiece: a towering, glittering tree. But perhaps most difficult to recreate is the ambience – a sense of intimacy amidst the elegant surroundings. Come and split a dessert – make it their famous halo-halo – with a special someone while listening to the strains of sweet live music, as the lights twinkle nearby. The light show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens What: Stunning lights show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. This year's theme: "Beats and Hues." There will be 3 different light shows set to different kinds of music. You'll hear big band and jazz music for one of the shows, African drumbeats for another, and electronic dance music for the 3rd.

Ayala Triangle also has light installations set up to replicate 10 of the oldest Philippine churches, designed by Zenas Pineda. When: November 9 to January 3, every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 10 pm Last Christmas at InterCon This year, folks were shocked to learn that InterCon would be closing its doors in 2015 after 46 years. The hotel has made sure to prepare some final promotions and offers for guests who'd like a last stay at the beautiful building, and it may be worth a final Christmas visit as next year, the space will give way to a new development by Ayala Land Incorporated. See a giant ferris wheel light up, up, up The Pampanga Eye ferris wheel at Sky Ranch Pampanga was recently transformed into a "Lantern of Hope," complete with a Pyro Musical show. According to SM, preparations took 3 weeks to properly decorate the massive structure. Where: SM City Pampanga, Brgy. San Jose, City of San Fernando, Pampanga Snap a picture at Tutuban's tall tree while doing your Christmas shopping

Perhaps more thrilling than those bargains at Tutuban Center – this massive 50-foot tree that's quite a sight to behold, and built and decorated with materials from various areas around Manila. Spend a few minutes for selfies and group photos before heading to the shopping center and to the surrounding areas boasting countless little shops where you can find gifts for everyone in the family. 'Christmas on Display' at Greenhills A yearly tradition for shoppers who visit the popular Greenhills area, this year's Christmas on Display exhibit runs with the theme, "A Hometown Christmas." Moving mannequins tell the story of a balikbayan family coming home to spend Christmas in the Philippines, at last. Aside from that, the popular Greenhills tiangge or flea market will be in full swing this Christmas, as the Christmas Night Market and Bangketa Fair will run until January 3. Note: Christmas on Display runs until January 3, 2016. The show runs daily from 6:30 pm until 11:30 pm with one show running every 30 minutes.