It's the most wonderful time of the year again. And while the world isn't back to quite normal yet, global commerce is thankfully spinning anew, which is why – and as always – there is no stopping this second Christmas in pandemic.

With the changes this hopefully weakening virus has forced upon the world, a few Christmas traditions have taken a back seat, especially in the Philippines. 'Mano po Ninong, Mano po Ninang' is discouraged to prevent new outbreaks, for example, and still a sizeable number choose to attend Simbang Gabi online, what with Omicron's unwelcome arrival. But encouragingly, the thrill of Christmas shopping has only grown to be more varied and therefore more exciting than before.