The Final Christmas Countdown | South China Morning Post

For those of us for whom Christmas carries spiritual or religious meaning on top of gift-giving and spending time with loved ones, the Hong Kong Bach Choir is performing “Two Great Masses” on December 13. The ensemble contrasts Stravinsky’s “Mass” against Bruckner’s “Mass No. 2 in E Minor”—both masses are Roman Catholic and harken back to Baroque and Renaissance traditions, but Stravinsky’s piece carries an austerity that offsets Bruckner’s expressive one. The program will open with “Serenade in D Minor” by Dvorak. The Hong Kong Bach choir has been operating for 40 years and has a repertoire extending from the 15th century up to the present day.

Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, . $80-320 from .

December 14

Get Down in DB

Get ready for an all-out day trip to D Deck in Discovery Bay, where the oceanfront dining hotspot will be temporarily transformed into a traditional European Christmas wonderland with spectacular festive decorations. The seven-foot-tall nutcrackers and vintage street lamps along the promenade provide the perfect atmosphere for couples and photography enthusiasts. Also get blown away by the romantic melodies performed by violinists roaming around the various restaurants at D Deck. On top of all this, Santa Claus will be dispatching Christmas postcards for you to send warm greetings via a traditional British-style mailbox. Spend some quality time with the family in the DB North Christmas Family Kingdom, where different kinds of interactive games and a bouncy castle are provided for the children. Also treat yourself to a nice supper—delicacies from all over the world will be available at D Deck, from fancy French to hearty Mexican dishes. Walk along the promenade and Tai Pak beach, where you can catch a glimpse of Disneyland’s fireworks. A free ferry ride back to Central will also be provided to passengers who present a receipt (of over $100) from any of the 12 designated restaurants at the D Deck free ferry service counter.

Now until Dec 27. D Deck, Discovery Bay Rd., Lantau Island, 3651-2345, [email protected], .

Give to Needy Kids

Everyone knows that the true meaning of Christmas is to spend as much money as possible on junk you don’t need. But if your conscience is prickling, then why not donate some much-needed gifts to some less-than-fortunate children? The Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC) is constantly on the lookout for “gifts-in-kind,“ meaning practical items, toys and gifts for children from newborn to age 16. Their Children’s Residential Home looks after around 100 children who have been orphaned or abandoned, or whose parents are unable to care for them. Particularly in demand are gifts of milk powder, baby food, diapers, towels and other staples. The HKSPC also needs stationery, small toys, storybooks and games for its nursery schools and family service centers. Fill out the online form and submit it to the society before dropping your gifts off at the designated locations. You can even organize an office drive to help them get even more supplies.

378 Portland St., Prince Edward, 2396-0264, .

December 15

Get Tanked on Christmas Drinks

The holiday is never complete without a little themed boozing. Lucky for us, there are plenty of places around town where you can do so. At 208 Duecento Otto (208 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2549-0208), not only can you taste their special Christmas drink, Brandy Alexander, but every guest also gets a complimentary glass of mulled wine throughout December. Traditional mulled wine is also on offer at The Peak Café (G/F, 9-13 Shelley St., Central, 2140-6877) for $64 a pop, while Scandanavian glogg will be on offer at FINDS (1/F, The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2522-9318) for $38 at lunch and $58 during dinnertime. For those with a sweet tooth, the unique mulled cosmopolitans and special hot chocolate in various flavors served at The Globe (G/F, Garley Building, 45-53 Graham St., Central, 2543-1941) will warm your cockles. Finally, the Peninsula (Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2920-2888) is offering charitable cocktails in the lobby throughout the festive season. Try the non-alcoholic winter burner and iced Glühwein for $98, or the boozier brandy eggnog or regular Glühwein for $128. All proceeds from cocktail sales go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

December 16

A Day Out at Disney

Disneyland is positively overflowing with festivities this holiday season, so remember to dedicate a full day here to soak in all it has to offer. After all, what could be better than the Happiest Place on Earth during Christmas? First, take part in Santa Mickey’s Toy-riffic Street Party at Main Street U.S.A.’s newly converted Christmas Town, where your favorite Disney characters—including Toy Story’s Jessie and Woody—will all congregate and perform festive dances and holiday songs. Take a break at the Waltz café, where a special holiday menu with treats such as gingerbread and brownies will be on offer. A spectacular “Christmas Illumination” show at night will see a magical combination of dancers and twinkling lights. There’s also the nightly fireworks and Christmas parade to keep everyone in good cheer. Remember to catch Mickey and Minnie during your visit—they will be dressed in dazzling Christmas gear and ready to pose for pictures. Top it all off with a delicious Christmas dinner at Crystal Lotus, Enchanted Garden, or Grand Salon at the Disneyland Hotel.

Disneyland, Lantau Island, 1-830-830, .

December 17

Altruistic Afternoon Tea

For a feel-good feast, head to Palm Court, the Langham Hotel’s lobby lounge, between December 17 and 23 for a special charitable afternoon tea set. The hotel has partnered with the Salvation Army to put on a Tiffin Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea from 3-5:30pm. Bring a new, unwrapped gift—such as an educational toy, a storybook or some stationery—and the Langham staff will make sure it gets to a child that needs it. Each tea includes an array of festive treats, a visit from Father Christmas and a gift for all children that attend—and if they come in fancy dress (the kids that is—leave the Halloween costume at home), they’ll be awarded with a much-coveted sticker. The tea costs $248 per adult and $158 per child on December 17, 18 and 23, and $218 per adult and $138 per child on all other days.

8 Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2132-7898.

December 18

A Good Old Festive Sing-Along

Christmas is a time to appreciate all that’s around you—and the Hong Kong Oratorio Society has a show that’s bound to get you into the Christmas spirit. The society—named for their specialty, the oratorio, which has traditionally been a choral work with religious or mythological themes—will be performing works from Handel and Zadok the Priest as well as excerpts from “Messiah.” The night will wrap up with a carol sing-along with the audience, of course. Make sure to book your tickets quick as the concert will only run once, on December 18 at 8pm.

Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui,. $100-400 from .

Head to Ikea—No, Really

Why not counter-balance the Christmas shopping and blatant consumerism with some altruistic deeds this season? You can participate in Ikea’s easily accessible donation program, for a start. In order to provide needy kids in developing nations with a quality education, the furniture chain has been hosting an annual “Soft Toy for Education Campaign” since 2003. For every soft toy you buy at Ikea, the Ikea Foundation will donate $10 to charities like UNICEF and Save the Children to help kids support their families and contribute to their communities. If you’re not buying the toys as a gift, then pick up a couple anyway and drop them off at the collection box by the exit—these toys will then be delivered to the children who live in poverty in China’s remote mountain areas. Since its inception, the annual “Soft Toy for Education Campaign” has raised a total of $352 million, which has helped more than 8 million children in 40 countries get better stationery, books and well-trained teachers. This year’s goal is $120 million. The beauty of this campaign lies in its simplicity. Everyone can participate; whether you want to buy your favorite baby cousin a fluffy teddy this Christmas or give a cute bunny to kids in need, every penny counts.

From now until Dec 24. All Ikea stores in Hong Kong, including L4, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Rd., Kowloon Bay, 3125-0888.

December 19

Meet Santa

Pacific Place is all decked out for the holidays, including a little white-and-brown cottage with swooping angels at its doorposts that we’re choosing to believe is an exact replica of Mr. Claus’s abode in the North Pole. Queue up at the designated hours to pay a visit to—and snap a photo with—everyone’s favorite hirsute gentleman. Plus, it’s for a good cause: each visit costs $80 for up to four people, and the proceeds go towards Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children. Do us a favor and touch ruddy old St. Nick’s belly—we want to know if it really does jiggle like a bowlful of jelly. December 8-25 (closed on December 14). December 8-13: 12:30-3pm, 4:30-6pm, 6:30-8pm. December 14-25: 11:30am-1pm. 1:30-3pm, 4:30-7pm, 7:30-9pm.

Garden Court, LG1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2844-8988.

Help the Homeless

The St. Barnabas Society is a charitable organization that reaches out to street sleepers, particularly those living in Western District. They are always on the lookout for donations of warm clothes, shoes, razors, shampoo and shower gel, canned foods and cup noodles—and as the weather gets colder, their need for these products gets increasingly urgent. If you have any of these items to donate, email [email protected] or call the number below to arrange a drop-off.

21 Fung Mat Rd., Western District, 2548-9056, .

December 20

Revisit a Classic Christmas Tale

If you’re in the mood for some tunes, why not catch the heart-warming tale of everyone’s favorite Christmas grouch-turned-good, set to music? “Scrooge: The Musical” is back this year after winning three Hong Kong Drama awards in 2009. The show has been translated into Cantonese from the original Broadway classic, and will be performed by the Hong Kong Repertory Theater. Book a ticket for Christmas Eve and count down to Christmas together with the cast, or attend a 2:30pm meet-the-artists session before the shows on Dec 18, 27 or Jan 2. The show runs from December 17 to January 8 with both evening and afternoon sessions.

Hong Kong City Hall Theater, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, . $200-320 per ticket from .

Bake and Ride at Ocean Park

Start the day early and head straight to Ocean Park—the whole venue will be packed with exciting activities and gourmet offerings to help you celebrate the special holiday. Park goers can make and indulge in their own Christmas cakes at Aqua City Bakery before heading over to the newly created Thrill Mountain theme zone to experience some of the fastest rides in the park (including the Hair Raiser, the city’s only floorless rollercoaster). Refuel with some Indian-themed snacks, like spicy roast chicken with naan, created by chef Rawat Beersigh. Quench your thirst with some Santa punch, cranberry frost, and brandied eggnog at any kiosk, and pick up a stuffed Christmas panda at the gift shop. Stop by the Panda Café to enjoy a three-course meal of turkey, ham and chicken if you’re still hungry, then finish with the nightly “Light Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Light Show” at Aqua City Lagoon.

December 21

Organic Food Tasting and Last Minute Fair-Trade Christmas Shopping

It’s high time we all sunk more dollars into supporting local organizations and broadened our horizons even as we’re shopping. Here’s your chance: on December 21, take an organized day trip out to the New Territories to sample locally grown organic figs, strawberries and heirloom tomatoes. Then visit a flower market to peruse orchids for all budgets. Finally, stop by the Tuen Mun office of Crossroads, an NGO that provides goods like medical supplies, furniture and clothing to grassroots welfare organizations in Hong Kong and abroad that work to meet needs at the local level. Crossroads has set up a shop of fairly traded goods, including items such as coffee, chocolate and handicrafts from over 45 countries. $200 includes round-trip coach transport from Pier 4 in Central (with an additional stop at University Station), a free organic food tasting and a simple lunch. Also included is the option to undertake the charity’s “X-Perience” program, where you can see what it’s like to live as a blind person or someone with AIDS. Email [email protected] to sign up for the excursion.

For more information about Crossroads’ fairly traded goods market, call 2272-9333 or visit

December 22

See The Nutcracker…

You know you want to let Tchaikovsky’s memorable score echo in your ears for days to come. One of the most loved ballets in the world, “The Nutcracker” returns to the stage in Hong Kong for its 15th year. Interpreted by the graceful dancers of the Hong Kong Ballet, the show chronicles the dreamy tale of a girl, Clara, who is on the run with a prince from the villainous King Rat. Along the way they encounter the Sugarplum Fairy, snowflakes and a host of colorful characters. It’s a classic, heart-warming tale that is just as appealing to humdrum grown-ups as it is to aspiring little ballerinas and toy soldiers.

December 17-18 and 24-26, 2:30pm; December 16-18 and 20-24, 7:30pm. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $120-1,000 from .

…Or ‘Twilight’

If the smell of gingerbread makes you recoil, the Mariah Carey-Justin Bieber music video for “All I Want For Christmas” skeeves you out and the thought of dropping another cent on sparkly ribbon is just too much to bear, then there’s no doubt about it—you’re a complete Scrooge. For the anti-Christmas advocates out there, how about the ideal anti-celebration? The film depicting the first half of the Twilight series’ fourth and final book, “Breaking Dawn,” hits theaters on December 22. What better way to stay OUT of the holiday spirit than to take in a two-hour-long angsty narrative about star-crossed vampires, vicious werewolves and a freakish flesh-eating baby? It’s an alternative for everyone not on Team Christmas.

Buy tickets from .

December 23

Yep, More Christmas Songs

No Christmas season would be complete without an evening of hearty caroling—and who better to regale you with some Christmas classics other than the Hong Kong Children’s Choir? For those not in the know, the choir is one of the largest in the world with around 5,000 members, and has been present at landmark events from the 1997 handover to the opening of the Chek Lap Kok airport. Award-winning opera soprano Elvira Fatykhova and the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s principal trumpeter John Dante will be joining the choir for a host of popular carols as well as classical pieces from the likes of Mozart, Handel and Mendelssohn. Appreciate these singing angels’ music on December 23 or 24 at 8pm.

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $140-380 from .

Cute Kids Doing Ballet

Move over, Hong Kong Ballet. On December 23, 24 and 25, students from the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet will put on an adorable dance performance in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental from 3:45-4:30pm. For a ringside seat, book yourself in for afternoon tea at the Clipper Lounge so you can watch the adorable little cherubs twirl in their tutus. The festive tea set comes in at $308 for one person or $488 for two. The hotel will also be serving mulled wine and roasted chestnuts to all guests from December 17 to 24 between 5pm and 8pm, so make sure to be in the area if you want to get merry.

5 Connaught Rd. Central, 2522-0111.

December 24

Christmas Countdown Parties

After 11 days of holiday merriment, Christmas Day is finally just around the corner. It’s time to celebrate those pesky last hours with family, friends and fellow party-goers. Enjoy four hours of open bar and quality music from resident DJs at Volar (B/F, 38-44 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2810-1510) at their Christmas Eve party, or if you’re craving a classier vibe, head to Dada Lounge (2/F, The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3763-8778) to indulge in a night of champagne, snacks and the sexy soul voices of Clark, Sapiera & Adams. The trio performs a lineup of Christmas carols with some soul ‘n rhythm. Both parties start at 10pm, right after your Christmas Eve dinner.