There’s nothing quite like Christmas in the Philippines.
It’s when the scent of bibingka and puto bumbong fills the air, parols glow on every window, and laughter echoes from homes where families gather long after midnight. Whether it’s a humble house in the province where titas drop by with trays of kakanin or a city condo where friends exchange baked goodies and stories, one thing never changes: the heart of every Filipino celebration is home.
Bringing the Flavors of Home to you. (L-R) Hervy Nicholas, IKEA Sales Leader, IKEA shopkeepers Nerie Loquillano and Grace Ante, actress and host Dimples Romana, Grace Tanfelix, Icoy Rapadas, and Mitch Ngo (@thechinitafoodie) at a live cooking demo showcasing dishes for the holidays.
This holiday season, IKEA shines the spotlight on that familiar warmth through its Flavors of Home Festival at the IKEA Pasay City store — a festive showcase of how Filipinos cook, share, and celebrate together.
The event brought together food lovers, design enthusiasts, and creators to celebrate the season’s two great joys: food and family. Social media personalities Icoy Rapadas, Grace Tanfelix, and Mitch Ngo (aka @thechinitafoodie) whipped up mouthwatering holiday dishes in a live cooking demo, while interior designer Elle Uy shared stylish, practical ways to turn ordinary kitchens and dining spaces into festive havens using IKEA’s Christmas collection.
And as the perfect holiday touch, singer-actress Angeline Quinto serenaded guests with her soulful rendition of “Bituing Walang Ningning,” a playful nod to IKEA’s sustainability message: don’t waste food—balutin mo!
“The Filipino way of celebrating the season is centered on family and food at home. IKEA wants to make it more special with our affordable kitchen and dining range,” says Hervy Nicholas, IKEA Philippines Sales Leader. “That’s what drives us at IKEA: the joy we get from seeing people from all walks of life enjoying our pieces that are functional, beautiful, sustainable, and affordable.”
A Christmas-ready kitchen
Stylish ideas for your Christmas decor. (L-R) Actress and host Dimples Romana, interior designer and content creator Elle Uy, and Kit Agoncillo, IKEA Social Media Manager get cozy in a studio-type showroom with holiday-themed home pieces.
Budget-conscious Filipinos who want to get their kitchen and dining table ready for all the cooking and feasting ahead will discover the joy of stress-free cooking with IKEA’s ANNONS, a five-piece stainless steel cookware set with glass lids. At only P699, it’s one of the store’s bestsellers — and don’t forget to grab a matching stainless steel trivet or two to protect your counter and table at only P69.
For those long stews and sauces, check out the non-stick KLIPPFISK sauté pan with lid (P1,999). If you’re on the lookout for reliable frying pans, there’s the IKEA 365+ stainless steel frying pan (P999); the non-stick TAGGHAJ frying pan (P299). For a quick stir-fry when friends suddenly call that they’re coming over, the HEMLAGAD wok with lid (P999) will do the job, while the HEMLAGAD over-stove grill pan will take care of steaks and barbecues. And because cooking in December means you’re on a tight clock, the six-liter IKEA 365+ pressure cooker (P3,999) is indispensable for Sunday beef nilaga when the extended family is coming over.
Prepping for dinner. Interior designer and content creator Elle Uy inspires with an inviting dining setup.
A table set for togetherness
After the cooking comes the best part of the feast: eating! From the busy kitchen to the calm dining room, IKEA makes the shift seamless (and coordinated, if you wish).
Starting with the décor, the 15-cm. POINSETTIA potted plant (P449) adds a touch of green to the table. Scatter VINTERFINT mixed bauble glass (P499/8 pieces) or make it all gold baubles (P599/20 pieces).
IKEA’s dining collections for noche buena bring the same practicality, affordability and beauty of its cooking collection. The VINTERFINT side plate (P129) has a subtle red band around the rim and won’t be out of place after the holidays. Or opt for the more earthy tone of SANDSKÄDDA (P129), and the translucent, gray-striped elegance of HAVSGÄDDA (P129). Pair these with the 49-cl. STORSINT wine glass, which comes in a set of six (P799), and the IKEA 365+ carafe with cork stopper (P249)
For full plates, green takes inspiration from forest and nature with PELARKAKTUS (P249), making for an opulent-looking table setting with its deep color. The GLADELIG plate (P199) in dark gray recalls natural stone, while the STOLTHET cutting board (P599), which can double as a cheese or dessert board, brings a touch of wood to the table. With the dining table laden with food and desserts, the three-layer RÅSKOG utility cart comes to rescue to hold the extras.
The best part about Filipino Christmas feasts is that they last beyond the day itself. On Christmas Day, start with IKEA’s plain and patterned bowls for cereal at breakfast and soup or salad for lunch. With so much food to keep, the IKEA 365+ glass container with bamboo lid (P249, 34 oz.) comes in handy to give away what’s left over from noche buena or to keep in the refrigerator for later.
From the first gift wrapped in September to the last leftover lechon paksiw on the first days of the new year, Filipinos really know how to stretch a celebration.
Discover IKEA’s Christmas Shop and its kitchen and dining items to get you ready for the holidays at IKEA Mall of Asia and online.
