The Christmas season in the Philippines truly captures the Filipino spirit and deep love for family. From provincial homes welcoming relatives with trays of bibingka and puto bumbong to city condos where baked treats are exchanged, the most meaningful celebrations always center around the home. Understanding that the holidays revolve around feasts, cooking, sharing, and eating with loved ones, IKEA is putting Filipino kitchens and dining areas in the spotlight during the Flavors of Home Festival at the IKEA Store in Pasay City.

The festive event began by bringing together foodies and interior design lovers to share inspiring ideas for holiday decor and seasonal recipes perfect for enjoying at home. Guests were treated to a live cooking demonstration by social media personalities Icoy Rapadas, Grace Tanfelix, and Mitch Ngo (@thechinitafoodie), who whipped up ideal dishes for this season’s parties. Additionally, interior designer Elle Uy guided attendees through captivating kitchen and dining setups that Filipinos can easily recreate using IKEA’s Christmas collection.

Ready for the holidays. Foodie creators (L-R) Grace Tanfelix, Icoy Rapadas, and Mitch Ngo (@thechinitafoodie) whipped up delicious dishes using kitchen and dining products, and ingredients from IKEA.

The event featured star power with singer-actress Angeline Quinto, whose beautiful rendition of Sharon Cuneta’s “Bituing Walang Ningning” was a major highlight. This musical performance creatively tied into IKEA’s core value of sustainability, playfully reminding guests not to waste food—a concept locally known as “balutin” or “i-Sharon.” Completing the authentic Filipino Christmas vibe, the store was also enveloped in joyful holiday songs performed by the philharmonic orchestra.

“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 (P3999) 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.