Brace Yourself: 10 Things to Prepare for as the -Ber Months Roll In

(SPOT.ph) It’s September, which means it’s officially the start of the world’s longest Christmas. The Philippines breathes the merry holiday like oxygen and preparations begin months in advance—the ber months. Jose Mari Chan emerges from hibernation and for every single thing that a Filipino will do moving forward, Christmas has to be factored in. This isn’t your first Media Noche and reunion circuit, but just in case you think you can relax, we’re here to remind you of everything you need to take care of.

Unlike the past three years during lockdowns, Filipinos are now more comfortable restoring festivities to pre-pandemic levels. That means going out, meeting people, and spending more. It’s no walk in the park, but we’re hoping you take our list into consideration so you can spend your holidays hassle-free.

Also read: How to Take Care of Your Mental Health at Christmastime

Brace yourself for the -ber months by keeping these things in mind

Traffic

It just wouldn’t be a Philippine Christmas without all that traffic. Mind you, traffic is bad in the Metro year-round, but especially so during the most wonderful time of the year. Apart from last-minute deliverables, meetings, and schedules you need to stay on top of, there’s also the mall-wide sales and hangouts all happening at the same time, making traffic worse and all the more unbearable. The only way out is through, preferably accompanied by Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour setlist.

Also read: Here's How You Can Still Get Tickets to Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in Japan

Long lines

Be it at the store dressing dressing room or the department store, lines will inevitably grow longer. Stretch your patience as the months pass, for it’s about to get worse as December crawls nearer. We’re hoping you have a fun game installed on your phone or a new series to binge-watch while waiting because you need something to keep you occupied and, well…not angry. People are naturally shopping and buying more at stores, so you’re bound to encounter a queue wherever you go.

Longer delivery times

You know what could be longer than lines? The wait for a parcel to arrive. Online shops and couriers are swamped this time of year, so the earlier you order your gifts, the better. If you can easily count the number of days leading up to Christmas, it’s probably too late to order your gift. Still, exercise patience and understanding—after all, we’re all just trying to get through the holiday rush and spend a good time with our loved ones as the year ends.

Also read: Package Arrived? Shred That Shipping Label to Protect Your Data

Packed calendars and schedules

Spending the holidays with close friends and family is great, but it usually means calendar tetris. In between trying to get all relatives in one place and figuring out that one date that will unite friends you haven’t seen in years, you also have to factor in which people can mix in certain events. And if they can’t mesh well, that means more separate gatherings for your college friends, high school pals, and office allies. Don’t forget your and your friends’ exes that can’t be fully kicked out of the friend group, either.

Trips, clogged airports, and pricier vacations

If your family or barkada is the type to splurge on vacations and experiences, chances are high you’ll have to plan the whole thing, either alone or with help. Think itineraries, bookings, transportation, food, and more. It’s pricier this time of year as more people fly back home, so you’ll have to deal with larger crowds at the airport on top of paying more for your flight and accommodations.

Wishlists

Whether you buy gifts as early as September or wait until the first week of December rolls in, we’re pretty sure you’ll try your best to get good gifts that still fit the budget. Wishlists were fun as a kid, but now that you’re the one giving gifts, organizing them seems like a herculean task. Some work well with just a note on their phone or in their planner, but some take it to the next level by plotting it on a spreadsheet. Do what works best for you—just don’t forget all your inaanaks.

Also read: I Don't Give Christmas Gifts Out of Pressure and It's Okay

Money envelopes

Speaking of inaanaks, they won’t say no to money, but putting it in a pretty envelope increases its gift appeal. It’s shiny, red, and oh so sweet. This isn’t mandatory, but as you add one to your age every year, the sobering realization that you’re only getting older warrants the purchase of gift and money envelopes you’re bound to use in the years (or even decades) to come. We know, the inevitable passage of time is terrifying, but at least Christmas with the kids is fun.

Also read: Skip The Angpao This Christmas With GCash Send Pamasko

Your wallet

What isn’t fun is your wallet suffering bullet wounds and getting flatter than when you first bought it. It’s quite literally the price to pay in exchange for being called the cool Tita or Tita, that happy smile on your parents’ faces when you buy them that big-ticket appliance, or the tears your friends hold back after you hand over a thoughtful gift. We’re not saying you have to blow it all out to make other people happy—company over the holidays matters more than anything—but do give your purse some time to recover from all the spending.

Also read: Manifest More Money With This Cheeky Coin Purse From Linya-Linya

Rude comments at reunions

For every cool Tita or Tito in your life, count two or three tactless relatives who will make unsolicited comments about your weight, career, love life, or all of the above. Years of Filipino reunions prepared you for this, you can do it. And if you really have to let the tension spill over, may you wield a well-timed passive-aggressive comment that gets the point across without rocking the boat too much. Best of luck, soldier. You’re the best of us all.

Also read: How to Survive Christmas Reunions When Your Weight and Marital Status are on the Menu

An eventual break-up

Look, we won’t sugarcoat it. As the year draws to a close, people will want to either start fresh or end things—relationships included. We’re not saying it’s going to happen, but the holiday’s festivities, no matter how seemingly merry, could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Timeline-wise, the end of the year seems apt, and having to deal with the shopping stress, nagging family members, and putting up with all the gatherings could bring forth…realizations. Statistically, the occurrence of breakups spikes two weeks before the holidays so we’re not pulling this out of thin air—Facebook relationship status updates are proof.

Also read: Can My Bumble Holidate Be My Christmas Boyfriend?