Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Parols
What is a parol?
A parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas lantern and one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas in the Philippines.
Traditionally star-shaped, the parol has come to symbolize light and hope and is a beloved part of Filipino Christmas celebrations. During the holiday season, parols illuminate homes, businesses, streets, and communities throughout the Philippines and Filipino communities around the world.
For us, a parol is more than Christmas décor. It is a beautiful way to celebrate Filipino craftsmanship, continue traditions across generations, and bring the light of a Filipino Christmas home.
Do you offer a Price Match Guarantee?
Yes! We want you to feel confident you're getting a great value when you purchase from Parols of America.
If you find the same parol currently available for a lower advertised price from another U.S. retailer, contact us and we'll match the eligible price (Domestic Sales Only).
The item must be identical in size, design, and specifications and currently in stock with the other retailer. Price matching applies to the item price and may take shipping costs and other applicable charges into consideration.
Some exclusions may apply, including clearance or closeout pricing, limited-time promotions, marketplace or resale listings, international sellers, and pricing errors.
Contact us at contact@parolsofamerica.com with a link or screenshot of the advertised price before placing your order.
Where are your parols made?
Every Parols of America parol is handmade from start to finish in Pampanga, Philippines, a region famous for its parol-making tradition.
Our parols are individually created by skilled Filipino artisans—from constructing the frame to adding the decorative elements, lighting, and finishing details.
What materials are used to make the parols?
Our parols are made using a combination of traditional and modern materials, which can vary depending on the individual design.
Many of our designs incorporate delicate shell pieces, decorative materials, a handmade frame, clear protective plastic, and electrical lighting components.
Because materials vary between styles, please refer to the individual product listing for details specific to the parol you are purchasing.
Will my parol look exactly like the photos?
Your parol will be the same design you ordered, but because every piece is handmade, small variations are normal.
There may be slight differences in colors, shell placement, patterns, measurements, or other handcrafted details.
Colors may also appear slightly different depending on photography, lighting, and your phone or computer screen.
Why does my parol cost more than one purchased in the Philippines?
There are significant costs involved in bringing an authentic, handmade parol from Pampanga to the United States.
Our parols are handmade from start to finish in the Philippines and then commercially imported into the United States. Our pricing reflects not only the craftsmanship of the parol itself, but also international freight, importation expenses, and applicable duties that have already been paid.
Our parols are also produced specifically for the North American market using different electrical materials and components than those typically used for parols sold within the Philippines. These components cost more but allow us to offer parols designed for U.S. and Canadian electrical requirements.
We then stock our inventory in Ohio. When you place an order, your parol is carefully packaged, insured, and shipped domestically to your home.
When you purchase from Parols of America, we've already handled the process of getting an authentic Pampanga-made parol from the Philippines to the United States.
Ordering & Shipping
Where does my order ship from?
Although our parols are handmade in the Philippines, our in-stock inventory is already here in the United States.
Orders ship directly from our location in Ohio.
Your individual order does not ship internationally from the Philippines. We have already handled the international transportation and commercial import process before the parol is offered for sale.
How do you protect my parol during shipping?
We've shipped thousands of parols, and we know how important careful packaging is when sending such a delicate, handmade piece.
Our packing process is:
Parol → Double Bubble Wrap → Inner Box → Outer Box
Our parols are double bubble wrapped and double boxed, and the exterior package is clearly marked FRAGILE.
We also purchase third-party shipping insurance for our parols.
While no shipping method can completely eliminate the possibility of carrier damage, we take extensive precautions to help your parol arrive safely.
How long will it take for my order to arrive?
For orders shipping within the 48 contiguous United States, please allow approximately 3–8 business days from the date you place your order for delivery, depending on your location.
For Canadian orders, Economy Shipping typically takes approximately 7–22 business days.
These are estimated delivery timeframes and are not guaranteed. Severe weather, carrier delays, holidays, and customs processing for Canadian orders can occasionally result in longer delivery times.
The Christmas season is our busiest time of year, so we always recommend ordering as early as possible.
How can I track my order?
Once your order has shipped, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking information and a link to follow your package.
You can also check your order status through the order confirmation or shipping updates sent to the email address or phone number you provided at checkout.
Please allow up to 24–48 hours after receiving your tracking number for the carrier to begin displaying tracking updates.
If you haven’t received your tracking information or have questions about your shipment, please contact us with your order number and we’ll be happy to help.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes! We offer FREE standard shipping on orders of $50 or more within the 48 contiguous United States.
For destinations outside the contiguous United States:
- Alaska & Hawaii — $15 Standard Shipping
- Canada — $20 Economy Shipping
Please note that our 30" and 35" parols can only be shipped within the 48 contiguous United States due to their size. We are unable to ship these sizes to Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada.
Do you ship to Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes! We ship eligible parols to Alaska and Hawaii for a flat $15 shipping fee.
Due to their size, 30" and 35" parols cannot be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii. These larger sizes are available for shipping within the 48 contiguous United States only.
Do you ship internationally?
At this time, Canada is the only international destination we ship to.
Economy Shipping to Canada is a flat $20, and orders typically arrive within approximately 7–22 business days.
Canadian customers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, brokerage fees, or other import charges that may be assessed on their order.
Due to their size, 30" and 35" parols cannot be shipped to Canada.
What is the deadline to order for Christmas delivery?
Our recommended Christmas ordering deadline is announced each holiday season and may change based on carrier schedules and shipping conditions.
As Christmas approaches, please check our website for the current year's recommended ordering deadline.
Carrier delivery dates are estimates and cannot be guaranteed by Parols of America once a package has left our facility.
We always recommend ordering early, especially if you have your heart set on a particular design. Our inventory is seasonal, and popular parols may sell out before Christmas.
Will I have to pay customs or import duties if I'm ordering within the United States?
No. We've already taken care of that for you!
Our parols are commercially imported from the Philippines into the United States, and applicable import duties are already paid before the parols are offered for sale.
Your order then ships domestically from our location in Ohio, so U.S. customers do not have to navigate international customs or pay import duties when their package arrives.
Lighting, Display & Care
Are your parols 110V?
Yes! Our electric parols are 110V and made specifically for use in the United States and Canada.
Are your parols battery-operated or plug-in?
Our standard parols are plug-in and powered through an electrical outlet.
We also offer a battery-lighted mini parol, which can be used as an ornament or displayed in areas where access to an electrical outlet isn't convenient.
Please check the individual product description to confirm the power source for the parol you are purchasing.
What type of lights are used in your parols, and can they be replaced?
Unlike traditional parols that use individual light bulbs, our parols are illuminated with energy-efficient LED strip lighting. LED lights have a much longer lifespan than traditional bulbs, use less energy, and produce very little heat, making them a safer and more efficient option.
We have been in business for over six years and have had very few customers experience issues requiring their LED lighting to be replaced. For parols that are primarily displayed during the Christmas season and stored for the remainder of the year, the lights can last even longer due to the limited annual use.
While LEDs are designed for long-term use, they can eventually reach the end of their lifespan. Because the lighting is integrated into the parol rather than made up of individual replaceable bulbs, replacement is not a simple at-home process.
If the LED lighting eventually needs to be replaced, we recommend taking the parol to a qualified electrical or lighting professional. At this time, we do not offer LED replacement or repair services.
Should I remove the clear plastic covering?
We recommend leaving the original clear plastic covering on your parol unless it bothers you aesthetically.
The plastic helps protect the handmade materials from moisture, dust, and accidental contact. It also provides additional water resistance, particularly if you choose to display your parol outdoors.
You may remove the plastic if you prefer the appearance without it, but please understand that doing so removes an additional layer of protection.
Can I display my parol outside?
Many of our customers display their parols outdoors, and outdoor parol displays are also a common Christmas tradition in the Philippines.
However, our parols are water resistant, not waterproof or weatherproof.
The clear plastic covering provides additional protection from moisture, but the parol still contains electrical components and delicate materials.
We recommend bringing your parol inside during heavy rain, storms, high winds, or other severe weather.
High winds can be particularly damaging. Wind may cause a hanging parol to swing, strike nearby surfaces, or put stress on its structure. Delicate shell pieces can also become damaged.
Outdoor display is at the customer's own risk. Parols of America is not responsible for damage caused by rain, moisture, wind, storms, or other outdoor conditions.
How do I safely hang my parol?
Use a sturdy hook or hanging point rated for the parol’s weight, and support the piece without pulling on its frame or wiring. Keep cords routed safely and away from walkways.
How should I clean and store my parol?
Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth or brush. Avoid soaking the parol, then store it fully dry in a cool, dry place with protective padding between holiday seasons.
What if the plastic covering tears?
If the protective plastic becomes torn or damaged, it can be replaced.
Clear plastic window insulation film makes a good replacement. It can be cut to fit the parol and carefully shrunk into place using a hair dryer.
If you display your parol outdoors, we recommend maintaining a protective plastic covering over it.
Damages & Returns
How do you protect my parol during shipping?
We've shipped thousands of parols, and we know how important careful packaging is when sending such a delicate, handmade piece.
Our packing process is:
Parol → Double Bubble Wrap → Inner Box → Outer Box
Our parols are double bubble wrapped and double boxed, and the exterior package is clearly marked FRAGILE.
We also purchase third-party shipping insurance for our parols.
While no shipping method can completely eliminate the possibility of carrier damage, we take extensive precautions to help your parol arrive safely.
What happens if my parol arrives damaged?
Although we take extensive precautions when packing every order, shipping damage can occasionally happen.
If your parol arrives damaged or defective, please contact us within 7 business days of delivery.
We will ask you to provide photographs of:
- The damaged area
- The entire parol
- The exterior shipping box
- The interior packaging
- Any visible damage to the shipping box
Please keep the parol, both boxes, and all original packaging materials. These may be required as part of the shipping insurance claim.
We purchase third-party shipping insurance and will assist you throughout the claims process.
If the parol needs to be returned, we will provide a return shipping label at our expense. If a replacement is available, we will replace the damaged parol. If the same item is no longer available, we will issue a refund.
We're here to help and will work with you to get the situation resolved.
Do you accept returns or exchanges?
Due to the delicate and seasonal nature of our products, returns and exchanges are only accepted when an item arrives damaged or defective.
Damage or defects must be reported within 7 business days of delivery.
Please keep the parol, shipping boxes, and all original packaging until the issue has been resolved.
Normal variations resulting from the handmade process are not considered defects.
Can I cancel or change my order?
If you need to cancel or make a change to your order, please contact us as soon as possible.
We will do our best to accommodate your request. However, once an order has entered fulfillment or has shipped, we may not be able to cancel it or make changes.
Wholesale & Bulk Orders
Do you offer wholesale or bulk orders?
Yes! We welcome inquiries for wholesale and bulk parol orders.
We can work with retailers, Filipino organizations, cultural groups, churches, businesses, community organizations, corporate gifting programs, large Christmas displays, events, and other customers looking to purchase parols in larger quantities.
Pricing, minimum quantities, availability, and lead times depend on the styles and quantities requested.
Because our parols are handmade from start to finish in Pampanga, large orders may need to be planned and produced well in advance. We recommend reaching out as early as possible, particularly for orders needed during the Christmas season.
For wholesale and bulk order opportunities, please email us at contact@parolsofamerica.com with the styles you're interested in, your approximate quantity, and your desired delivery date. We'd be happy to discuss available options and help you plan your order.