Joy to the World (Wide Web)
Excitement fills the air as we once again celebrate the arrival of Christ into our hearts, sparking a joy that transcends borders and brings people together in merriment. Gathered by this brief opportunity for respite, people reunite with friends and family to wind down after another year well-fought, listening to the children’s merrymaking of classic carols and undying station IDs, and walking the streets adorned with a dazzling array of lights that casts a soft glow on our peaceful and replenished souls.
These holiday festivities represent our hope’s renewal through joy as we open exciting new chapters in our lives surrounded by our loved ones, meeting the familiar cold breeze with warm smiles and odds-defying cheers. But in our modern age, there’s a new sleigh carrying the spirit of Christmas to every corner of the globe, a magical conduit connecting us in ways that would make even Santa’s reindeer envious — the Internet.
This is the story of how our holiday traditions have taken on a tech-savvy twist, weaving a tapestry of celebrations that stretches across millions of miles. From virtual gatherings that bridge the space between loved ones to the digital trends that light up our homes and screens, join us on a journey through the holly jolly intersection of Christmas and the World Wide Web. As we unwrap the stories of online merriment and global togetherness, let us discover how the world is experiencing a new kind of joy, one that echoes through colorful digital communities and undersea fiber optics.
Virtual Celebrations and Real Connections
With the help of the Internet, people have found creative ways to celebrate and be together despite being miles apart. Holiday plans and year-ender events are being drawn up and launched in online platforms as we speak, with droves of electronic invitations flying in and out of email or instant messaging services. Distant friends, relatives, and colleagues also benefit from digital conferencing tools and group call services that make it possible for them to join events that they couldn’t attend face-to-face. People also often speak of conferencing experiences where hilarity ensues, of certain someone’s not noticing they’re unmuted, or of revolutionary online board games where everyone’s just winging it, or that time when a lawyer turned into a cat. Even technical difficulties can make for truly interesting stories, wacky times, and most importantly, good memories.
More so, no Christmas celebration is complete without the ambiance and the vibes brought by Mariah, Ariana, Sia, those Last Christmas people, and the very Filipino Christmas DJ remixes, among other musical staples that set the tone for fun, vigorous, and lively get-togethers. Thankfully, online music and video streaming services so thoughtfully ensure that we have plenty of songs to go around, barring the oh-corporate advertisements that have befallen these cheerful apps. The iconic karaoke beloved by many can now also be easily accessed in-app and through your browsers. Families and barkadas no longer need to rent hulking machines of coin slots, speakers, and CRT screens. Just a projector or a large display and they’re good to go. But let’s admit, that tactile sensation of entering the next song is irreplaceable. Many sites also offer party games like quizzes that can keep parties entertained for hours on end. Even the roleta for raffles can now be spun digitally.
All these ring especially true to the many Filipino families who have members working abroad. For these families, there was a time when only silence permeated the empty dinner seats of loved ones who could not come home for the holidays, but with real-time communications, the warmth of shared moments has found a home online, a place without empty seats; transcending borders and time zones, and connecting loved ones in previously unimaginable ways. Nothing beats the feeling of being with them physically, but in times when we have to settle with second best, seeing their smiles and sharing your joy and adventures through a camera, a keyboard, and a mic can be enough.
The past pandemic’s disruptions to society further highlight the magic of the Internet, with many people safely staying in touch online. It’s a testament to the human spirit and the bonds that people form, that not even a mindless virus that’s trying to shut everything down and drown out normalcy cannot get in the way of our traditions, our revelry, and our joy. It also shows our courage to mix things up to adapt to a world that’s quickly changing. The Internet also helped us keep the national character of our Christmas celebrations alive through the crisis, with nativity scenes and even the Simbang Gabi being moved online (READ: Filipinos attend Simbang Gabi online, in-person on second year of pandemic from gmanetwork.com). The celebrations may have been quieter, and the family photos may have been screenshots, but at the end of the day, it’s the time we spend with the people that we love that’s important. And now that humanity has largely triumphed in the face of this contagious adversity, we continue to benefit from the flexibility afforded to us by these digital landscapes, a canvas of endless possibilities, that continuously invites us to reimagine our festivities.
So, if you wish to try out new noche buena and dessert recipes to impress la Familia, if you are looking for the best gift ideas, for the best destination for your annual escapade, for the best Christmas lights and garlands and trinkets to wrap around your Christmas tree, and so much more, remember that the technological marvel that is the Internet and the people keeping it colorful has your back, especially this Christmas.
Idea Land
Speaking of sparkling ornaments, brainstorming ideas and hunting for Christmas themes and decor has also never been easier in this day and age. In this economy? Well, that’s a story for another day.
At this point, with the numerous creative minds that are sharing their hearts out and aesthetics online, even Santa wouldn’t have trouble figuring out what to give to children this year. Be it through blogs, shorts, reels, or some tutorial-esque format, these people find joy in broadcasting to the world their festive home decorations, their DIY projects, and their innovative ways of incorporating technology into their holiday setups. In-season kitchen concoctions and holiday adventures or simple day-to-days have also proven popular to certain audiences. And come Christmas time, we eagerly get ahead and implement our own twists and personal touches to this highly anticipated season.
Off the top of one online search, one can find amazing interpretations of the usual gift wrap, Christmas trees, fairy lights, Christmas stockings, snowmen, cold-season pastries, and more. It’s a treat to be able to see all these wonderful ideas so quickly and so easily. So, for your upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, consider peeking at what others have in mind, and you may be amazed. Inspired, even, with adorable ideas like Sweater Bashes, White Christmas, Cozy Cup of Cocoa, and Gingerbread Houses. Many Filipinos are also doing their own deliberately bad monito monitas and participating in other trends, proving that sense of humor never takes a backseat in the season of joy. Our archipelago may not have our own proper winter, but we are certainly not getting left out of all the winter wonderland spectacles.
No snow? With the Internet, Filipinos say “no problem.”
Finally made up your mind? Ready to check out those gifts? Fret not, because nowadays, getting those supplies delivered and ideas realized is just a few swipes, taps, and clicks away through online marketplaces. Just make sure to order before these shops leave for the Christmas break. And while shopping extravaganzas may not be as appealing as it was before, and indeed many families are focusing on getting through the season without spending a lot, the Internet can still help you at your savings game by keeping you on top of the latest discounts and those year-end clearance sales that will surely keep your pockets healthy and your bags heavy, because plenty is a perfect way to start the incoming year.
We could go on and on with the plethora of ways that Tim Berners-Lee’s gift to us has transformed the Season of Giving: Christmas hashtags, Christmas movie marathons, gaming sessions while wrapped in blankets, and so on. The only downside here is the information overload and perhaps the fear of missing out. We have different opinions on people who just love to share their lives online, and it is also hard to tell how much real and how much is glitter in idea land, so in this wonderful time of the year, let us be reminded to only measure ourselves by ourselves, to enjoy the company of ourselves as we do for our loved ones. Because as cheesy as it sounds, in the Season of Giving, don’t forget to give love to yourself.
E-Greetings and Digital Giving
In the olden days when most of us still dreamt of a reliable Internet connection, sending love was a lot more work relative to what we do now. Handwritten letters, still charming as ever, were the norm. For long-distance relationships, best wishes may even have to sail the high seas on a postcard or a recording to reach their recipient, maybe even missing the big day, but now, an electronic message can instantly bridge that physical distance between family and friends. One post, a buzz, and a notif: voila, you have greeted your neighbors, batchmates, co-workers, and more, and that is certainly a remarkable improvement. These days, people are also starting to be fonder of online Christmas cards made using graphic design and animation tools that are readily available online. You may even send your greetings and virtual hugs using a sticker, a photo, or a GIF, not to mention the practice of linking someone to songs and videos in the hopes that it will also fill them with joy. It also extends from the individual level to organizations that wish to share their festivities, such as the University of the Philippines Diliman’s 2023 lantern parade which was watched live by thousands online (linked below).
The miracle of the Internet also brings us closer to charity initiatives and our needy brethren (SEE: Charities where you can donate this Christmas and all year long from nylonmanila.com). That is, you can also celebrate the gift of giving by putting a smile on the faces of those in need, and you can begin by electronically donating to charities for needy Filipinos. One can also generously choose to spend their Christmas organizing relief operations for poor communities and the less fortunate, rooted in the truth that everyone deserves a comfortable life and a merry Christmas. Aside from personally joining their operations on the ground, one can help these people and organizations by spreading their message, their calls to action, and their awareness and donation drives by word of mouth and online, which in turn helps reignite the joy and hope of others this Christmas time and onto the year beyond.
Trends under the Mistletoe
Finally, if you have been on the Internet lately, you may recognize certain amusing trends permeating our online platforms, snippets of our lighthearted sides that are kicking off the holiday season left and right. For instance, many have since come to agree that nothing says Christmas more than Mariah Carey defrosting and escaping from her icy prison while belting that all she wants for Christmas is you, with the possible exception of waking up to the tune of Jose Mari Chan’s classic noels. The queen of Christmas playlists also acknowledged her song’s ominous popularity and responded with a humorous video of her own titled It’s Time.
You may have also come across the more Filipino-flavored ones, of blinking one second into the Ber months and seeing lanterns light everything up in typical Filipino fashion. Don’t forget the many amusing Christmas Party themes and stories that we all can relate to, from brides arriving at White Christmas gatherings, hilarious rehashes of 13th-month pay shenanigans, and exchange gifts and platters that can end in silly circumstances, anecdotes that reflect the culmination of our nation’s shared months-long celebration. And alright, from here on out, let’s stop avoiding the use of ‘memes’ because it’s essentially a part of basic vocabulary these days. It’s “Memes under the Mistletoe”, dear reader!
It’s hard not to admire how people take the time and effort to create these byte-sized laughs, especially with the goal of sharing it with others. While it may annoy some — who may also find joy and community in sharing their sentiments with others, don’t lie — it brightens up the day of many, as evident in how they take over social media sites with ease. The Internet has made the spread of these jests and banters nearly effortless, and although they may be short-lived, the sense of community and belonging that they create lives on. Social media has indeed supercharged many of humanity’s emotional frailties, but we shouldn’t ignore how our collective meaning-making machinery tied together by these platforms can also bring pure, sincere happiness as well as charity and relief to the lives of others. As they say, everything is possible on the Internet, and these Christmas trends remind us of the beauty and humanity that it is capable of.
Conclusion
With this enchanting fusion of Christmas and technology, the Internet emerges as a magical conductor, a conduit of joy spanning homes and continents, as it seamlessly weaves global and personal celebrations. In many ways, the Internet stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology in enhancing the joy and connectivity that love in all forms and seasons can bring.
This also shows how the World Wide Web has woven itself as an integral part of our modern Christmas story. More so, the network is still growing and the tech behind it is still evolving, and with its rapid expansion, it’s hard to tell where it will bring us next. But as we navigate the digital spaces and the stories they enable, let us not forget to cherish the moments of togetherness, the laughter shared across screens, and the genuine warmth that technology, when wielded with heart, can bring to the world.
Yenzy Hebron is BS Computer Science student currently studying at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is looking forward to going home to his family.
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