10 Magnificent Christmas Trees Around the Metro To Take Inspiration From

Christmas is drawing closer, and the excitement of the upcoming holidays is hyped up more with all the festivities happening in the metro! Big establishments sparked the Yuletide vibe—literally—with different tree lighting ceremonies that capture various Christmas themes. Hopping from one mall or hotel to the next, checking out the uniquely designed trees is an experience in itself, and serves a lot of inspiration for our own Christmas trees at home.

If you’re still out of ideas on how to decorate your Christmas tree this year, take it from these majestic set ups and start to squeeze those creative juices! Pick up some of these tips and put your spin to it—just as long as it brings out whatever Christmas means to you. It’s time to get decorating!

Hilton Manila

Have you had a year full of travels? If so, take your journey to your Christmas tree! In Hilton Manila’s lighting ceremony last November 12, the hotel forefronts festively designed suitcases and location tags of iconic cities where Hilton properties reside as its ornaments.

Tip: Choose to go DIY on destination tags of the places you’ve been to the past year—get crafty with art materials and personalize your way to a travel-inspired tree! Got no time? Pick up those postcards you’ve kept from all your travels and hang it along with other ornaments.

With Chinoiserie-inspired display that the mall’s guests can enjoy until early January, SM Aura Premier’s Christmas experience boasts of a 33-ft. spectacle adorned tree with golden eventails, opulent feathers, and a resplendent phoenix at its highlight. Beside it is an interactive light display that features a golden bird cage where a phoenix will emerge and take flight above their heads.

Tip: Feeling the oriental vibe? Incorporate intricate Chinese elements in your tree without feeling too sophisticated by putting more color! Take it from SM Aura’s tree and place fan-shape decor over those numerous Christmas balls, strategically position those feathers (or bird ornaments!) as a symbol of freedom and happiness, and seal the deal with golden bird cages.

It’s all about the lights for SM Mall of Asia. Mounting a 60-ft. Christmas tree designed with over 120,000 LED lights and red ornaments of Christmas balls in different sizes, an otherwise traditionally-themed tree becomes a momentous one. With all the colors of Yuletide in one giant tree, mall-goers can truly feel the spirit of the holidays.

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila officially welcomed the festive season with its annual tree lighting ceremony. Carrying the theme “Sparkling Holidays,” the hotel’s decor is inspired by its 5th anniversary celebrations. It’s a toast to Marco Polo’s success—with numerous accolades under their belt, which were awarded to them this year.

November 7 marked the day when the Ayala Malls awaken the season of giving—decking their halls with a fresh look that combines the traditional Christmas colors with a tropical, floral vibe. In Glorietta, where the first tree lighting ceremony happened, there stood a giant Christmas tree flecked with Christmas balls of all sizes and gifts below it. As the tree lit up for the guests, they also announced the upcoming showcases in store for everyone, including the recently-concluded mall tour of international artists Honne and Joan, as well as James Arthur’s upcoming Manila visit!

Tip: Instead of scattering Christmas balls all over your tree, opt for a neater, more elegant look. Like Glorietta’s tree, surround yours in one direction for a tasteful design. Stick to two colors for a well put-together effect.

Sofitel goes the French way—showcasing Art de Noël 2019 to reach deeper into its roots. The allure of French style is seen through their showcase if modern gastronomy and art. Lighting up the iconic 30-ft. Christmas tree decked with lavish decor of gold, white, and silver styled by Jo Claravall, the hotel kicked off the season in the most glamorous way, which also included a haute couture fashion show by world-class designers Debbie Co and Anthony Ramirez.

Tip: Achieve French elegance with the no-fail combination of white, silver, and gold! Minimalism is also key, so keep the elements to the basics, like balls flecked with glitter and golden twigs and ribbon.  

It was a spectacular showcase in SM Megamall as they open the doors of Santa’s Crystal Castle in Mega Fashion Hall. Inspired by the bright streets of London, the 40-ft. Christmas tree is adorned with a string of gems, crystals, snowflakes, and metal ornaments, with red telephone booth and toy soldier ornaments that truly capture the picture of its theme.

Tip: Bring London to your home and get the same vibe as SM Megamall. Hang gem strings, crystals, and snowflakes in all sizes. To recreate their display, scour for mini telephone booth and toy soldiers and place it on your tree, too!

It’s wintertime in SM North EDSA! Unveiling a Magical Christmas at The Block Atrium, the 45-ft. Snowflake Christmas Tree reminds you of those winter trips you’ve gone to! Kids can feel like Elsa from Frozen in all its white and blue magnificence. During the lighting ceremony, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach graced the event as—you guessed it—Elsa herself.

Tip: Replace your usual green pine tree with a white one and fill it with winter elements. Sprinkle fake snow shavings or use cotton instead. Buy snowflake cutouts in white, silver, and blue. Place blue star lights around the tree. Even better, top it off with a huge snowflake, too.

Last November 7, Solaire held its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, dubbed as “Heart of the Holidays” at the main lobby of bay tower. The tree lighting event signifies the hotel’s kick-off for its Christmas activities. Solaire’s VIP guests and key officers lit two 24-foot trees at the hotel’s main lobby, a celebration that drew more than 100 people. Roughly 25,000 LED lights made the tree sparkle and shine along with beautiful star tree toppers made of capiz.—Tess Raymundo

Tip: Incorporate Filipino ornaments to give it that local flair, just like how Solaire did theirs. Honor our country more with red, blue, and white motifs—and also, a shower of stars as the tree topper!

At The Podium Mall, the festive mood was inspired by Chinese blue and white porcelain patterns.  "Christmas Orientalia" is how the mall described their festivities.  Beautiful blue and white patterns made an elegant Christmas tree display.

Tip: At home, your tree need not adhere to the predictable Christmas colors or themes.  Feel free to take inspiration from a favorite look from the decorative arts, and pursue it all the way.  Get artistic by painting white Christmas balls a shade of blue, with different patterns.