Who’s excited for this year’s Monito Monita??? 😉 Let’s delve into the mechanics of this popular way to exchange gift during the Christmas party!
But before that, let’s sing the Manito / Manita Song! Don’t know the lyrics? Here it is!
I love my Monito (Monita) Yes I Do!
I love my Monito (Monita ) Yes I Do!
I love my Monito (Monita ) yes I Do!
I love my Monito (Monita ) but I won’t tell you!!!
Brings back memories noh? I remembered we sang this during exchanging gift or Kris Kringle portion at school during Christmas parties and everyone would be so happy looking forward to finally know who their monito or monita, especially if your secret monito or monita was very generous with the periodic tokens. Remember the monito monita something long, something hard, something red, something cold, etc?
Among the popular theme for this Filipino gift giving tradition are the following: MONITO MONITA Something this, Something that
- Something Sweet
- Something Hard
- Something Long
- Something Round
- Something Soft
- Something Red
- Something Sticky
- Something Useful
- Something Shiny
- Something Wet
- Something Hot! (Thanks Yanyan for the suggestion! 🙂 )
- Something Famous! (related to superheroes, celebrities, famous movie/books, etc.)
Be creative when coming up with your manito manita something ideas, create more twist!
Now, now, if you are not a Filipino or you are Pinoy but does not have any idea how the monito monita gift giving custom is done or what is the mechanics for monito monita, this is your handy guide and tips from Penfires.com. 😉
MONITO MONITA MECHANICS IN EXCHANGING GIFTS
Tip No. 1 – Form a group, usually when it comes to Christmas parties grouping is by class for those in schools and office departments or teams for those who are working.
Tip No. 2 – Put all your names on small pieces of paper and put in into a box or a bowl, mix it up well and then each one must take turn in picking a name out of the box. The name you pick will be your secret Monito if a guy, Monita if a girl.
** If someone picks his or her name, the name slip must be returned and he should pick another one. You can also agree to redo the name picking from scratch if you so chooses.
The cardinal rule in Monito Monita is NEVER as in never divulge who your monita or monito is, it is your secret until the big day – your Christmas party when you will reveal who it is!
And don’t go around asking anyone if they know who picked up your name heheheh, let it be a surprise for you too! Trust me it will be more fun that way 🙂
Tip No. 3 – What makes monito monita unique is that there is a periodic gift or token giving. Usually for schools and offices, weekly is recommended, some go for fix schedule like every Monday or every Friday.
Tip No. 4 – Set a minimum amount for the periodic or weekly gift, say P20 each monito monita token giving day. This is so that everyone will be guided on the amount. Of course you can go beyond the set amount, your monito or monita will love you more if you do! hehhehe. For the last day of Monito monita for employees, the budget can reach from 100 to 500 pesos, or even higher! This is because this is the last gift and so it’s going to be the grandest! You will be giving this gift during the Christmas party, during the Big Reveal! ^_^
**There are some groups who opt to have a Christmas wishlist of gifts to ‘guide’ the gift – giver on the ideal gift of the concern person. But this does not mean that you can’t divert from the list, you certainly can and honestly, the wishlist is usually not followed especially if the giver is thinking about something else to give to her monito or monita that he believes will be appreciated more.
Tip No. 7 – And lastly, once you arrive in the party, put your Gifts for your Monito Monita on the Christmas Tree, and when the Kris Kringle portion of the Christmas party program starts, pick up your gift and get ready to sing the Monito Monita Song!
Monito Monita Gift Giving Tradition
You will go around the circle singing with the group and when the song is just about to end, go near your secret monito or monita and hand her or him your final gift. Your monito or monita will be all smiles, i bet ya!
I love Christmas and each year I always look forward to it. Although right now I don’t have a group that I can have this Christmas Tradition shared with, but it comforts me to know that you guys will have your own monito monita!. =)
Christmas 2017 Monito Monita
Tokens and Gift ideas you may want to look into for Christmas 2017
a) usb cords b) pretty notebook or journal c) quirky notepads d) coin purse brimming with personality 🙂 Tokens like colorful gel pen, friendship bracelet, personalized mug with name or fave quote of the gift receiver, statement tshirts, superhero shirts, are also great gifts!
For those who loves puzzles, creating and building things, Sembo Blocks like this could be the perfect gift! This is like a Lego but the finished structures closely resembles every day buildings like Pharmacy, Coffee Shop, Flower Shop, Confectionary Shop, and many more. I got mine from last Christmas bazaar in World Trade Center.
We saw a Hanshe Brand which offers similar toy-building concept of Sembo Blocks. The 195 pieces sells for P179.75 in a local department store (not SM).
Now, if you happen to get someone really special to you, why not give her or him a gift of a Photobook? Without a doubt, the recipient will know you’ve gone to the moon and back to present a meaningful gift. 😉
For the monito/ta na lagalag, a headware, a selfie stick, luggage tag, or a scarf is a good gift option.
Some of the great things about this Christmas gift giving custom is that you as the giver will feel responsible for your partner, and because of this you will aim to make the other person feel happy and special so your monito monita gift ideas selection will be put to a test. On your part, there is also an added surprise because you yourself will not know what your monito or monita will give you or who she/he is. This is Pinoy Christmas gift giving with a twist!
If you have not tried this Kris Kringle or Monito Monita Exchanging Gift , why not try this Filipino Christmas Tradition this 2017!
Like and SHARE our beloved tradition!
Oh my! Lapit na pla Christmas, the Kris Kringle Fever is On!
Tama john! =) ihanda mo na din pang regalo sa mga inaanak hehehe
Something HOT pooo 😀