Christmas Parties in the Philippines

Christmas parties here in the Philippines are very different than those in the states. Filipinos love to have parties. In the states, you have a Christmas party and it is Christmas carols, cookies, maybe a gift exchange and that is it. Everyone leaves and the party is over. First of all, here you have to have a theme. That is how the gifts are picked. You have to have lots of food. There is spaghetti, some sort of fish, chicken, rice of course, and vegetables. Not just cookies and you are good. Also you have to have a Christmas party with every single group. We had one with the office, the Ventures for Victory team, and Outland staff. All in one week with two being on the same day. Then everyone waits around until they are pretty much kicked out. They will wait for someone to leave before they leave which means the parties can last many hours. Also you have to get a gift for all of the people. But unless you tell them too they will not open them in front of you. Culturally it is not okay to open the gift because then you are saying the gift is more important than the person. BUT they love gifts!