ROME, Italy – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Italy as residents starts to prepare and decorate for the holidays.

Unlike in the Philippines where some Filipinos set up holiday decors as early as September, Italy residents start preparing for Christmas during the first week of December.

Streets in Italy are decorated with colorful Christmas lights in various shapes and sizes. Giant Christmas trees have also been erected and decorated, while lanterns with lights around it attract people’s attention.

In St. Peter Square, the 100-foot traditional Christmas tree was set-up last December 4 and decorated with Christmas balls on the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion (December 8).

This year’s Christmas tree at the Vatican was Belgium’s gift to Pope Benedict XVI.

In a terminal station in Rome, people write personal messages to Santa Claus on a piece of paper or card and then place it on a giant Christmas tree there.

Sidewalks vendors are now selling one of the Christmas holiday favorites, the roasted chestnuts or "castanas".

A trambus at Porta Maggiore Street is decorated with Christmas lights and gives people a 30 to one-hour free ride.

‘Simbang gabi’

Filipinos in Italy, meanwhile, attend the popular tradition of “Simbang Gabi.” It is organized by the Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy and headed by Fr. Romeo Velos.

"Ito ay paghahanda sa sarili. Paghahanda sa ating kalooban at ito din ay sa pananampalataya na maintindihan natin na mahalaga ang pagsilang ng ating Panginoon kaya tayo ay naligtas," said Fr. Velos.

Remittance centers and banks are also giving away promos and gifts for overseas Filipino workers.

"Mayroon kaming mga kalendaryo, key chains, mga bags, mga scarf at fan kaya para mas fun gagamitin po namin ang aming roleta tapos kung hindi manalo magbibigay kami ng plus 5 or 10 sa rate," said Lita Manalastas Watanabe, manager of PNB Europe.

"Namimigay po kami ng T-shirt para sa pagsuporta nila sa amin giveaway namin ngayon pasko at one euro para sa beneficiary," said Vicente Lopez, Marketing Officer of BDO.

The Regina Pacis Filipino Community is now preparing Noche Buena gifts for their members.

"Namimigay kami ng grocery items para naman mayroon silang pang-noche Buena," said Regina Pacis Filipino Community coordinator, Malou Orolfo.