Top restaurants for Christmas dinner in Hong Kong

Season’s feasting!

Holiday season is officially here which means it’s time for over-the-top parties, Christmas decors, checking out the festive displays and chalet’s around town, taking part in a bevvy of December activities. With so much to do and so much to celebrate around Hong Kong, if planning a Christmas spread sounds like a daunting affair (we get you!) then book a table at one of the city’s incredible restaurants for an upscale extravaganza.

Most of our picks below evoke Yuletide nostalgia – atmospheric, cozy with lots of holly and poinsettias… Christmas cheer, here we come…

Bostonian Seafood & Grill
The Langham, Tsim Sha Tsui

festive dining 2021 christmas menu gafencu bostonian seafood & grill langham — (Photo courtesy: Langham Hotel)

Seafood lovers are spoiled for choice at Langham’s Bostonian Seafood & Grill this holiday season. Crustacean lovers can enjoy an indulgent premium seafood dining experience (HK$1,388 per person), starting off with a sumptuous sample of signature Lobster Bisque, Scallops, Oysters and Pan-fried Foie Gras, before moving on the main event: the Roasted Turkey or Char-grilled U.S Tenderloin Steak. For dessert, a selection of sweetened baked goods and desserts delight patrons with a truly festive Christmas eve dinner with loved ones.

For more information: langhamhotels.com

The Tai Pan
The Murray, Central

festive dining 2021 christmas menu gafencu hong kong the tai pan murray — (Photo courtesy: The Muray)

For a traditional Christmas turkey dinner, The Tai Pan at The Murray serves up a decadent four-course Christmas eve dinner (HK$1,088) alongside deliciously seasonal and organic ingredients that elevate each dish with a kick. From the Duck Foie Gras Terrine with Sake glazed pineapple, crispy rice and micro leaves to a chestnut-sage stuffed Turkey or the umami-packed Sake-Marinated Cod Fish, and a Wine Pear with Chocolate ginger bread gateau for a strong festive finish, its Christmas eve spread is sure to leave diners satisfied with a lasting impression on their palate. The vibe is relaxed, the food, service and ambiance are all truly outstanding – one that is sure to make the festive experience ‘tai pan’, literally meaning ‘top class’.

For more information: niccolohotels.com

LPM Restaurant & Bar
Stanley Street, Central

Taking up the prime spot on the busy Stanley Street, the 104-seater French Riviera inspired-menu at the elegant yet timeless, LPM Restaurant & Bar, short for La Petite Maison, will dazzle your Christmas one flavourful serving at a time. Launching a Christmas and a New Year’s menu, the highlight here is the ingredient-driven meals best enjoyed in a bright and cheerful by day, sultry and atmospheric by night ambiance. With locations in London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, a star feature here is the exact menu and same taste in all the signature dishes across the globe. Festive specials include Celeriac, Pears and Capers Remoulade Salad (HK$148); Burrata a la Truffle Blanche (HK$1,198); Rigatoni Maison a la Truffle Blanche (HK$1,198); and Grilled “Black Onyx” Sirloin Steak with mini Grillé mushrooms (HK$598).

The chefs are experts at what they do – the meal here has the drama, tenderness, buttery sweetness which a Christmas feast deserves – the mains are dazzling but will be outdone by the desserts and cocktails. The wine list is exquisite as its expansive, trust the well-read sommeliers to match one with each course and it will be rude to call it a night before tucking into the decadent divineness of their French toast. Blame us not if the meal leaves you craving for a sun-soaked French holiday!

For more information: LPM Restaurant & Bar

Giacomo
Crowne Plaza, Causeway Bay

festive dining 2021 christmas menu gafencu hong kong resized — (Photo courtesy: Crowne Plaza Hotel)

The new Causeway Bay-set Giacomo offers the city’s eager epicureans with an Italian Christmas fare a 6-course Christmas Eve Degustation Menu (HK$2,480 per person). Its southern Italian flavours are even further highlighted in its signature Homemade Tagliolini with Piedmont Alba white truffle. For mains, the menu features a melt-in-your-mouth Mayura Beef Tenderloin from Australian chocolate-fed Wagyu, served with braised celery root and winter black truffle. To complete the experience, a fine wine pairing (HK$980) is highly recommended.

For more information: cphongkong.com

Also Read: Christmas Weight Gain: Enjoy the food without the guilt!

Landmark Mandarin Oriental
The Landmark, Central

festive dining 2021 christmas menu gafencu hong kong landmark oriental hotel — (Photo courtesy: Landmark Mandarin Oriental)

Delighting true epicureans to a more modern take on the classic turkey and mash Christmas offerings, two-Michelin-starred contemporary French restaurant Amber serves up a succulent 8-course dinner menu (HK$2,498) that includes a decadent offering of meticulously prepared and deliciously created dishes that shine a clear light on why this sought after restaurant hits top spots in many Hong Kong gourmands’ list. Featuring an ensemble of flavours in dishes such as Bone Marrow with sweet peas, shallots and black winter truffles ensemble of flavours, alongside the use of aka amadai with celeriac, wakame, dulse and yuzu for a true act of balancing flavours.

For more information: mandarinoriental.com

Buenos Aires Club
LKF Tower, Central

festive dining 2021 christmas menu gafencu buenos aires club — (Photo courtesy: Buenos Aries Club)

Meat-lovers rejoice to an authentic Argentinian Christmas feast at the lavish Buenos Aries Club. Offering a family-style Christmas spread, its Festín de Navidad sharing menu (HK$898 per person) starts its flight of mouth-watering entradas, while holding nothing back on the mains, featuring an 18oz chateaubriand General Pico Black Angus Prime Rib, served alongside a varied selection of classic side dishes such as mashed potatoes, creamed corn, provoleta mac ‘n’ cheese, golf salad and and an optional Boston Lobster (HK$388) with chimichurri and lemon before finally rounding up the feast with a Spiced-baked Apple with vanilla ice cream for a truly winter holiday note.

For more information: Buenos Aires Polo Club

181 Fortnum & Mason
K11 Atelier, Tsim Sha Tsui

festive dining 2021 christmas menu gafencu hong kong 181 fornum and mason — (Photo courtesy: 181 Fortnum & Mason)

For a quintessentially British affair this Christmas eve, 181 Fortnum & Mason offers its patrons a sophisticated festive menu to indulge in with your loved ones. Eschewing the Christmas set menus for an a la carte option, its Christmas eve menu features a glazed Norfolk Bronze turkey that will sit as the main attraction, and served with all the classic trimmings. Included on the menu is a chicken liver parfait with onion brioche and a Côte de Boeuf and a heartwarming Christmas Pudding and Apple and Blueberry Crumble to complete.

For more information: fortnumandmason.com

Also Read: Christmas Bling: Luxurious decor to make your Christmas extra special

Christmas Bling: Luxurious decor to make your holidays extra special

Inspired to make a statement this Christmas? The holidays are a few weeks away but now is the time to take stock of all your trimmings and decor needs… Exclusive baubles, a fancy wreath, designer candle stands or more playful accessories – out with the old and in with the ultra-luxe options for a glam season ahead…

Home for holidays_ Curate a cracking Christmas with these festive home decorations indigo living christmas tree — *(Photo courtesy of Indigo Living)*

No December can be complete without that focal point in the living room of every family that celebrates Christmas – the tree. Although the city does not grow its own festive foliage, whether you’re browsing for a classic pine tree, a Douglas fir or its minimalist Noble cousin, there’s a wealth of choice out there to serve any size and style of household. Check out our detailed guide to buying a Christmas tree in Hong Kong.

Indigo Living Christmas Collection 2021

Home for holidays_ Curate a cracking Christmas with these festive home decorations indigo living christmas wreath — *(Photo courtesy of Indigo Living)*

Once your tree is all set up, it’s time for the festive adornments of ornaments, decorations and seasonal foliage. Indigo Living meticulously curates a wide range of decorations, such as classic baubles, candle rings and wreaths (HK$130 to HK$500).The company has launched two exclusive Christmas collections that capture the nostalgia of those magical Christmases of our youth. Gold, green, red, white and silver hues exude a more traditional yet bold vibe in the Christmas Glamour range, while the Snowfall Serenity line takes a more pared-back approach with rustic and neutral tones for a warmer, moodier feel.

Rosewood Holiday Edit

*(Photo courtesy of Rosewood Hong Kong)*

The gift edit at Rosewood, one of Hong Kong’s top hotels, never fails to impress. This year, the hotel has set-up a cosy wooden chalet right at the entrance which will not only spoil you for decorating and gifting choices but also bring back memories of a magical, white English Christmas. Specialities from the delectable Butterfly Patisserie, exclusive fresh wreaths (HK$1,988 onwards), coveted baubles, dog collars (HK$488) for a paw-feet Christmas, unique creations from Bloom and Blossoms, plus a sprinkling of other awe-inspiring items can be bought here. The pop-up serves till the 26 December and will have Santa climb through the chimneys to meet and greet guests on the “nice” list on 24 and 25 December… Did someone say it’s beginning to look like a fun Christmas?

Gossens Coral Candlestick Holder, Lane Crawford

For an even more sumptuous touch to your festive decor at home, a stroll through Lane Crawford might be just the trip you need for all your yultide preparations, from a honeysuckle candlestick by Loewe to tableware by Baccarat to Shishi tree ornaments, The golden luxe Coral Candlestick holder (HK$7,800) from Gossens is also a standout. Plated with 24k gold on brass, it is an elegant presentation that reflects the maison’s mastery in gold-smithery, inspiring a Baroque-inspired aesthetic.

Shishi Metal Ginko Leaf Garland, Lane Crawford

Home for holidays Curate a cracking Christmas with these decorations shishi garland — *(Photo courtesy of Lane Crawford)*

To complement a luxe golden Christmas, Shishi’s Small Cone, Ginko Leaf and Mini Star garlands (HK$230-$460) are an uplifting choice to channel the holiday spirit. These décor items add a cracking, timeless appeal to the dinner table or enhance the wintery vibe wherever they’ve placed.

christmas-bling-luxurious-unique-decorations-maisonkurkdijian-paris-festive-scented-candle-gafencu-hongkong — *(Photo courtesy of MFK)*

Maison Francis Kurkdijan Festive Scented Candles

Complete the ambiance of your homely abode with an olfactory element that will inspire the senses with classic and modern festive scents for the home, courtesy of French perfumery Maison Francis Kurkdijian. Launching its set of three scented candles (HK$900), each one is long-lasting and transports you to the sweet, warm and joyous memories of funfairs and Christmas markets, toffee apples and ginger bread, and peaceful walks in the forest. Free, christmassy and delicate, the collection serves as the perfect touch to elevate the festive ambiance at your home or even for gift purposes. The exquisite candles can be bought at the maison’s ‘Holiday Pop-up’ at Lane Crawford, Times Square till December 22.

The Lion Rock Press Christmas Glass Bauble Set

Home for holidays_ Curate a cracking Christmas with these festive home decorations the lion rock christmas glass bauble — *(Photo courtesy of The Lion Rock)*

For Hong Kong-inspired festive embellishments look no further than stationery and gift specialist The Lion Rock Press. Their hand-painted Christmas glass baubles honour the ancient Chinese painting technique of nei hua, otherwise known as ‘inside bottle painting’. Each white-and-blue piece (HK$220) is an illustrative interpretation of a starry Christmas in Hong Kong and an ode to the artisanal craftsmen of yesteryear.

Also Read: Step inside this modern Kowloon home awash in neutral hues

Buy your Christmas tree before it’s too late!

Whether you buy fake or fir – Christmas trees are going to be in short supply in Hong Kong! It will be a smart idea to sort out your Christmas trees before supply, shipping and other such bottlenecks wreck the festive cheer. Here’s a roundup of our favourite places to buy Christmas trees in Hong Kong:

Chun Hing Garden
Yuen Long
A popular stop for families every holiday season is this Yuen Long set 30-year old landscaping experts. Offering a range of Noble Firs and Douglas Firs from top-tier plantations in the US, they provide a selection of saplings as short as 3ft to evergreens as massive as 20ft (HK$910 to HK$47,000). Not to mention, their wreaths, tree toppers and centerpieces make for beautiful inclusions in your festive decoration.

Also available to order online, deliveries to the home start in late November and can also be picked up afterwards to be sent to EcoPark for recycling.

Anglo Chinese Florist
Central
Having been in the industry for over 60 years, it is one of the city’s most trusted institution and supplier for Christmas trees. Every year, they stock five to six-feet Noble and Douglas Firs (HK$900 to $3,600), as well as beautiful miniature decorated handmade trees and essential festive décor such as wreaths, garlands, poinsettias and ornaments.

Also available online, they offer delivery and removal services, as well as watering kits for your trees.

P&F Garden
Pok Fu Lam
A stroll through this three-decade old local nursery makes a perfect opportunity to create joyful memories with the kids as you browse through their offering of Noble Firs that stand up to six to seven-feet tall (HK$2,900). Here, you can find a range of other festive plants too, from table top trees and wreaths and poinsettias. However due to shipment delays this year, they won’t be taking orders until late November to December when deliveries arrive.

Brighten Floriculture (Flower Market)
Mong Kok
A trip to the Flower Market always makes for a fun and convenient shopping experience with friends and family, especially during the holiday season. Surrounded by festive foliage, the street that stretches from Mong Kok to Prince Edward transforms into an all-out display of shop after shop of Christmas Trees of every shape and type. One store in particular, Brighten Floriculture offers a wide range of quality choices from miniature trees, wreaths, Christmas lights and more.

Alternatively, if you want something truly extravagant and don’t mind the excessive price tag, Rosewood Hong Kong has lavish Noble Fir trees and fresh Christmas wreaths all decked up (HK$1,688 to HK$17,888) with gorgeous ornaments and dripping with sparkles that bound to impress your guests.

Buy your Christmas tree before it's too late gafencu_4 — (Photo courtesy of Indigo Living)

However, for those prone to what is called “Christmas tree syndrome”, an allergic reaction to irritating components from the sap of a tree, Indigo Living has just launched their 2021 Christmas Collection of décor and miniature trees specially designed and curated with their international design partners. Choose from a mini 60cm Christmas tree or a family-sized 210cm Noble Pine.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to go all out this holiday season, DaSilva’s Creations may be just the ticket for your grandiose thematic festivities. Having a hand in city’s most spectacular Christmas displays, they are known for their stunning Christmas trees, wreaths and even table settings, of different themes. Their trees come beautifully decorated with ornaments, textured ribbons, bead garlands, crystals, a star topper and LED lights (HK$4,280 to $5,480).

Also Read: Festive home decor to brighten your Christmas celebrations

Yuletide Tipples: A guide to festive imbibing for this Christmas season…

With the holiday season finally here, there’s no better time to delve into history to pull out some traditional merry-making drinks such as mulled wine and eggnog. Surprisingly and in no small part intriguingly, many of these alcoholic beverages were first produced to be savoured on major celebrations centuries ago. While they come in different forms, these traditional Yuletide drinks nearly always boast a rich, colourful and delightful origin that can be likened to fascinating tales weaved by parents anxious to put their young children to sleep. Indeed, some of these tales are stuff of legend, conjectures and cause debates that remain unsettled even up to this day.

MULLED WINE

A classic case in point is the traditional Yuletide favourite, mulled wine, described as an ancient drink that dates back to the 2nd century AD when the Romans took to warming up their wine to help them through the freezing winter months. As the Romans conquered much of Europe throughout the next century, their love for mulled wine spread across their empire and the regions surrounding them. Knowledge of the process of producing this drink spread in the course of their conquests and contributed to the rise in its popularity as a winter beverage, a practice that endured for centuries.

What exactly is mulling and what process it is comprised of? The term’s etymology is obscure, prompting some to suggest that it comes from the word “mull”, which means to crumble, a reference to the powdered spices used to give it a distinct flavour. Another theory is that it comes from the obscure and archaic word “mulsed”, which means mixed with honey. From the early definitions, one thing clearly stands out: the heated nature of the beverage serves as its major feature. The term’s precise definition is unclear, fuelling assertions that it must have originated from the Dutch term meulen, which means “to ruminate’ or ‘to think something over”.

A traditional mulled wine recipe includes brandy and cinnamon. Alternatives to brandy include port, dark rum or bourbon (sweeter than Scotch) to elicit a cockle-warming oomph. Some recommend a splash of Southern Comfort, but take note of the sweetness. Others add a cup of strong Earl Grey tea for a complementary bergamot twist. Spices can be used as alternatives, including grated ginger, coriander seeds, marjoram, dried fennel or a few crushed cardamom pods. Meanwhile, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver adds vanilla and a dried bay leaf.

EGGNOG

Another favourite Christmas drink, eggnog, is marked by an obscure lineage, fuelling debate among culinary historians. Most agree that it originated from the early medieval British term, “posset”, which refers to a hot, milky, ale-like drink. By the 13th century, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs. Since milk, eggs and sherry were widely regarded at the time as foods of the wealthy, eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health.

The concoction was first written about in 1796 in Britain, where it reputedly originated. The basic concept for the drink was said to have been formulated there and it was later modified when it eventually reached the United States. In the early days, American colonies were littered with numerous farms, chickens and cows, and cheap rum which eventually became a key signature ingredient. Mexico coined the eggnog varietal term “rompope”, while in Puerto Rico, the drink was mixed with coconut milk and became known as “coquito”. Through its sojourns, the concoction’s English name etymology remains a mystery. Some say “nog” comes from “noggin” which means a wooden cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck.

Today, the light yellow, creamy beverage enjoys the stature of being a holiday essential in several English-speaking countries, foremost in the US and Canada. Most Americans love to drink the Christmas cocktail chilled, but hot eggnog also serves as an excellent alternative to mulled wine. Often called a Tom & Jerry in North America, a warm cup of the frothy gold liquid is widely known to make even the toughest of winters more bearable. Either way, both a hot or cold eggnog is absolutely delicious.

Whether you choose to sip on an eggnog or enjoy some mulled wine, these traditional Christmas drinks are sure to give you a warm glow.

Montblanc presents the ideal gifts for your loved ones this Christmas

Looking to jazz up your Christmas with a slew of ideal gifts for your nearest and dearest is Montblanc’s latest products. Comprising new special-edition fountain pens and the company’s first wireless smart headphones, the Germany luxury brand continues its ongoing mission to create the most luxurious of accessories through fine craftsmanship, designs that are sure to find favour with any discerning urbanite.

Meisterstück Le Petit Prince and Planet

For a truly special present for the writer in your life, Montblanc presents two collections of writing instruments that pay tribute to cultural icons. First up is The Planet, the third and final addition to the Meisterstück Le Petit Prince collection, a three-part edition inspired by one of the most widely read works of literature around the world, Le Petit Prince. The Planet is an ode to the novel’s beloved little prince’s home planet, B612, and represents the values of taking care of our home. The HK$16,200 Meisterstück Le Petit Prince Solitaire fountain pen, meanwhile, comes fitted with an 18K champagne-tone gold-coated nib bedecked with a dazzling ruby. To complete the writing experience, the luxury brand has also introduced a stationery notebook in matching burgundy calfskin leather covered in embossed stars and gold foil details, paired with a rose-perfumed ink.

Montblanc Muses: Marilyn Monroe

Montblanc has also debuted the Muses collection featuring a beautiful fountain pen attributed to the charismatic cultural icon, Marilyn Monroe. As the American actress remains an inspiration to modern women, her distinctive style is embodied in the beautifully crafted writing instrument, Muses Marilyn Monroe. For instance, the shape of the pen is inspired by her iconic four-inch heels, while the red colour of the precious cap and barrel is reminiscent of her signature red lipstick. Priced at HK$7,200, this elegant writing implement makes for a sophisticated gift to any contemporary woman.

Montblanc Headphones

With an eye to treating the discerning on-the-go audiophile this Christmas, the high-end German luxury accessories label has also introduced its first Smart Headphones. A wireless over-ear headphones that convenient folds into a compact accessory, its other merit-worthy attributes include active noise cancelling technology, an ergonomic design for optimal comfort, and in-built Google assistant capabilities for a more personalised on-the-go experience. Available in three different hues – black leather with chrome metal finishes, brown leather with gold-coloured metal finishes and light grey leather with polished metal finishes – the HK$5,000 Montblanc Smart Headphones is the perfect audio companion whether you’re on the move or relaxing at home.

Gifting Made Easy: Gafencu’s 2020 Christmas Gift Guide

With Christmas just around the corner and the requisite gift-giving season soon to be upon us, have you ticked off all the items on your shopping list? If not, don’t worry, because the Gafencu team has curated an expansive Christmas gift guide with fantastic gift ideas for your loved ones. Read on to discover more…

For the sophisticated writer

Meisterstück Le Petit Prince & The Planet and Marilyn Monroe by Montblanc

For the writer in your life, Montblanc has added its third and final Meisterstück Le Petit Prince writing instrument to its collection, a three-part series inspired by one of the most read works of literature beloved by adults and children alike, Le Petit Prince. The German luxury goods manufacturer also has introduced a new Montblanc Muses Edition inspired by the forever iconic cultural icon, Marilyn Monroe.

For the watch lover

Rolex Sea-dweller

One of this year’s must-have item to include onto every watch aficionado’s Christmas shopping list is the Rolex Sea-Dweller. An ultra-resistant divers’ watches engineered for deep-sea exploration, the 60-minute graduated, unidirectional rotatable bezel enables divers to precisely and safely monitor their dive and decompression times. Designed to endure depths of up to 4,000 feet, this impressive for self-winding timepiece is a legend among dive watches and reflects the Swiss watchmaker’s decades of collaboration with diving professionals.

For the jewellery lover

Cartier’s [Sur] Naturel collection

For high-end jewellery maison Cartier, the creation of exceptional savoir-fair is in the connection between creativity and technique, as evidenced in its latest [Sur] Naturel Collection. Taking inspiration from nature and the supernatural, the Hemis necklace – one of the highlights of this new line – is the French luxury brand’s reinterpretation of panther fur around a lattice in kunzite, opals and diamonds. An alluring mastery of gem-setting and jewellery making indeed.

For the massage aficionado

uDream massage chair from OSIM

Spoil a loved one with some much-needed relaxation right in the comforts of their own home with the uDream massage chair by OSIM. With the design inspired by the metamorphosis of a butterfly, users will come out of this ‘cocoon’ with revitalised and rejuvenated. With its 5-sense stress relief programmes aim to relieve the tired body and mind, the massage chair monitors body tension through biosensors and a tracking feature accessible via uDream App records the long-term trend of body tension. The chair also features a light installation that emulates the colours of the northern lights. Built-in with speakers and an aromatherapy device, this chair will truly bring cheer this festive season.

For the oenophile

Orchidée decanter by Lalique

Raise the Christmas spirits of that special wine lover in your life with the Orchidée decanter by Lalique. Designed with wine collectors and connoisseurs in mind, its form is designed to enhance the flavours of the finest vintages. Made from French handcrafted crystal, a set of crystal orchid flowers bloom atop the stopper of the satin-finished carafe add a touch of luxury for the discerning vino lover.

For the music enthusiast

Beosound A1 2nd Gen speakers by Bang & Olfsen

A compact music box for any music enthusiast is the upgraded Beosound A1 2nd Gen by luxury audio technology company, Bang & Olfsen. The CNY special-edition item comes with a darker, more polished maroon exterior than its predecessors, replete with and leather straps. The portable speakers plays up to 18 hours on a full charge, and is truly one for the audiophile on the go. If that weren’t enough, it also boasts speakerphone functionality and a fully waterproof design that is also dust- and sand-resistant.

For the budding interior decorator

Bombom Sofas by Roche Bobois

For ample comfort and a touch of art, the Bombom Collection from French furniture brand, Roche Bobois in collaboration with Portugese designer Joana Vasconcelos, known for her large-scale quirky and flamboyant art installations, offers a flagship collection of sofas in vividly contrasting shapes and colours to decorate your living space. Designed to be part of a modular system, each piece is available in small, medium and large sizes, and can be merged with other pieces and flexibly rearranged in various forms to suit your comfort.

Joyous Trimmings: Festive home decor to brighten your Christmas celebrations

Festive home decor, when done right, can brighten any Christmas celebration

With temperatures falling steadily of late, everyone is inevitably reminded of the approach of one of the year’s most festive and enjoyable seasons – Christmas. As most Hongkongers have been prudently and cautiously staying indoors since January this year due to Covid-19-related health concerns, this has unwittingly treated them to the luxury of constantly being being able to connect with loved ones at home. The perfect culmination to this is the upcoming Christmas holiday, a perfect and auspicious time to celebrate in the upcoming holidays together under with all those you love under one roof. To ensure everyone is in a conducive mood for the Yuletide festivities, jazzing up your home with colourful, finely-crafted, exotic and artistically-designed decor, notably a Christmas tree, ornaments, lights and table settings, is a vital must.

Christmas tree

Any celebration of the year’s grandest holiday will never be complete without the display of an iconic, decor-laden Christmas tree, a tradition said to have originated in Germany in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Though Christians are a minority in Hong Kong, most upmarket abodes in the city will look all the more festive and elegant if adorned with a 10ft-tall authentic fir tree sourced directly from a North American or European farm. Finding an artificial Christmas tree is easy, but authentic trees are also readily available in various florists and other shops in town. And the good news is that aside from right-to-your-doorstep delivery, some shops even offer the extra service of recycling a Christmas tree after it has brought cheer and joy during the Yuletide festivities.

Christmas ornaments

A vast array of attention-grabbing Christmas ornaments can easily be found in major stores such as IKEA, as well as in upmarket shops in luxury shopping malls, notably ifc and Pacific Place on Hong Kong Island and K11 in Tsim Sha Tsui. They offer a wide selection of the most attractive decorative items that family members will enjoy setting up on a Christmas tree, perfect for family bonding time over a relaxing weekend. If wary of shopping for Christmas decor in person, a viable option is to shop online at Amazon or even Taobao – which stocks ornaments of every imaginable shape and hue – and arranging their shipment to Hong Kong before Christmas. For optimum ornamental impact, it’s best to start by distributing your statement timepieces evenly across the tree. Then, in the spaces between, hang the smaller, more colourful decorations, while being careful to avoid clumping. Finish with an angel or star at the tree top.

Christmas lights

The sight of frenetic and vibrant movements of bright, flashing and dancing lights never fail to delight and lift the spirit of anyone and everyone, whether you’re young or not-so-young. Head immediately to IKEA or any one or several of the major shopping malls in town if in some rush to purchase and set up indoor or outdoor Christmas lights much earlier than the day of the Yuletide celebration.

Those blessed with a garden outside the home is certainly in an enviable situation to enjoy and even show off a dazzling, bright and attention-grabbing outdoor display of Christmas lights set up in an artificial or authentic tree or shrub in the external space. A set of lights for external use is certainly designed to withstand the elements, including rains. If you’re struggling with a confusing array of Christmas lights, making the best choice may pose some challenge and even some degree of difficulty. When unable to make a choice of indoor lights, an easy way out of this not-so-complicated fix is to simply pay a visit to the most luxurious and upmarket Christmas lights display in any of the major local shopping malls for quick reference and even assistance in the selection of the most impressive, suitable and grandest Yuletide lights for your home.

Impress your guests with these sumptuous Christmas table setting ideas

‘Tis the season to rejoice and celebrate with beloved friends and family, and what better way to do so than to share a festive feast in the comfort and safety of your own home? Besides providing an excuse to gather your loved ones, it serves as the perfect reason to show off your well-honed table setting skills. If you’re at a loss for where to begin, fear not, for the Gafencu team has some top tips to ensure your dinner table is dressed to impress, no matter what its shape or size.

Long rectangular table with a festive cottage setting
The long length of a rectangular table provides a large space for big dinner groups and are perfect for those who enjoy their decorations down to every detail. Impress guests with a winter wonderland theme with a floral-lace tablecloth styled with rustic accents such as acorns, wicker placemats or a wooden centrepiece, like the Firewood Crackle wreath from Van der Bloom. A finish touch to add to the woody undertone is loosely folding in a cinnamon stick with a serviette and twine for every plate.
The perfect winter-wonderland colour combinations: White, brown & peach or baby blue

christmas dining table ideas for tablescape gafencu magazine simply elegant round table — image from homyhomee.com

Simply elegant round table setting
Round tables are a little tricker to tablescape given its shape. It’s best to avoid large centerpieces as they make conversations across the table awkward. In this case, keeping it simple really creates maximum impact. Pour your creativity into selecting the perfect tableware instead. Patterned plates are sure to make an impression here like, Gucci’s Herbarium dinner plate.
Centerpiece for a round table: A tall centrepiece adds dimension to the small structure but is advisable to keep it narrow while wide centrepieces are better short and round to fit the shape of the table better.

christmas dining table ideas for tablescape gafencu magazine warm square table — image from kitchenmagic.com

Warm Christmas square table setting
A square table can either make or break the impact of a luxurious table setting display, but don’t be afraid to break a few rules as this type of table can be versatile to style. Whether you opt for a tall, attention-grabbing centrepiece, or intersperse the surface with decorative patterns like those featured on the Bernardaud and Artedona tablewares, a nice finishing touch is to lay out elegantly-tied white-and-red striped ribbons around the table napkins of each guest’s plate for a sweet candy cane touch.
Other festive decorations can include: Christmas flower centrepieces and gold coated utensils or white candles in a see-through glass will bring a warm and festive ambiance to the table.

christmas dining table ideas for tablescape gafencu magazine oval table — image from 2ladiesandachair.com

Christmas garland oval table setting
Boasting the perfect combination of an elongated shape and circular curves, oval tables are ideal for Christmas feasts. For a truly festive presentation, replacing a table runner with an arrangement of dark and light shades of green leaves or herbs to act as garlands can’t go wrong. Add holly fruits or pomegranates as Christmas ball ornaments to further enliven the dining table. The warm hues and strong colour contrast can be perfectly matched with cooler toned tableware such as the floral Voile Plate in white from Franc Franc or the Anthemion blue plate from Wedgewood.
Festive colour combinations: Green, red, white and gold.

Feature image from stylewithlace.com

Local charities that are giving the city hope

Covid has affected many lives and businesses in the city across different demographics but many might not realize that local charities have also taken a huge hit during this trying time. With the effects of the pandemic and due to social distancing regulations, it has made them vulnerable even more vulnerable as charities have had to cancel volunteer programs and fundraisers. The closure of restaurants has also put a hamper on daily donations to charities that feed the needy. Nevertheless, these charity organizations continue to push for change and serve the different social needs of the underprivileged.

ImpactHK

The pandemic has left many people out of a job and pushed some to sleep on the streets. ImpactHK, however, is one of, if not the only, highly active charities that are making an impact in the lives of the disenfranchised and homeless in Hong Kong. Founder, Jeff Rotmeyer, has long advocated for children with down syndrome with his first charity, Love 21 Foundation, and the social movement turned registered charity organization, ImpactHK. Rotmeyer has long pushed for the kindness and visibility of the homeless people he calls his friends, by providing them a safe house, free laundry, job opportunities, haircuts and more importantly, kindness, with the support of his active volunteers and staff. The organization has been bold in taking on the most difficult issues and overcoming hurdles in alleviating the homeless issue in the city by constantly setting up new programmes and initiatives to not only help underprivileged communities but offer volunteers a hands-on opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

This Christmas, the charity has organized an art exhibition, Perception 2020 Art Show, that showcases pieces from six different artists at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre between December 16 and 21

Contact: www.impacthk.org

Box of Hope

With school closures, limited overseas travel and shipping barriers, Box of Hope has experienced some struggles in following through on its annual charity project which delivers over 30,000 boxes of donations from local school children and organizations to children in poverty across Hong Kong and Asia, leaving the children even more in need this year. Nonetheless, co-founder and director, Sian Taylor, is persistent to serve children in need and their families by delivering over 200 boxes of supplies across town. Residents can also spread the joy this Christmas season by participating at the “White Christmas Village” at ELEMENTS. The lavish West Kowloon shopping mall has partnered up with the charity in a “Box of Hope” donation campaign from now until 3 January. For every HK$250 donation, two boxes of gifts will be made in the same amount and be given to children in need.

Contact: www.boxofhope.org

Foodlink foundation

Foodlink Foundation, founded by Vanessa Hwang and directed by her daughter, Robin Hwang, is a local charity that organizes food runs to deliver meals to individuals, children and families living in shelters, street-sleepers, asylum seekers, the unemployed and the elderly. It is one of the local charities that took a hard hit due to the current pandemic. Social distancing regulations led to several food and beverage establishments to close their doors which caused the charity to lose 70% of food donations. Regardless, of the struggles the organization has faced, they continue to push through with their objective to feed the less fortunate in a recent partnership with DBS in setting up a Faster Payment System (FPS) so people can efficiently and conveniently donate on the organization’s website.

Contact: www.foodlinkfoundation.org

Real or Synthetic Christmas tree: Which one to get and where

Christmas trees are in big demand as the festive holiday approaches. While a myriad of options for a decorative tree is available, here are some key considerations when picking one for the upcoming festive season.

Which one is more sustainable?

Artificial or synthetic trees are often made of plastic, and scores promote them as friendly to the environment as they help real trees from being cut down. In reality, though, authentic fir trees grow on marginal land that offer insignificant agricultural value. It makes no difference to the crops and animals living nearby if they were to be chopped down, which makes real trees are more sustainable.

Which one is more practical?

Buying a Christmas tree for home use often poses a storage issue, especially in small flats. Obviously, a real tree will be extremely difficult to store for the following year’s use, while plastic synthetic trees can be stored for months. However, when synthetic trees wear down, break or need to be disposed, they are often dumped in landfills. On the other hand, real trees can be recycled, providing a more long-term solution for consumers and the ecosystem. christmastree.hk sells festive trees as well as offers collection services to recycling your tree for HK$200.

Which size to get: full-size, miniature or table top?

A full-size Christmas tree as high as nine feet provides a fantastic backdrop and decor for a truly festive ambience for those with ample space. However, most flats in the city don’t have the luxury of high ceilings to accommodate tall trees. Fortunately, miniature trees can be easily propped and adorned with dazzling ornaments. Table top-size ornamental trees are also great options for easy storage and a minimalistic style.

Where to buy a Christmas tree?

There are several options when buying a Christmas tree, whether online or from a farm. Personally browsing for a tree or picking up one with the family is certainly a way to enjoy fond memories of Christmas. The flower market in Prince Edward offers every year a wide array of real and artificial Christmas trees to choose from. Alternatively, Chun Hung Garden offers a farm-wide selection of top-tier authentic American Christmas trees. It actively participates in HKEPA’s Tree Conservation Scheme and it sends collected trees to the EcoPark for recycling after the Christmas season.

If you prefer the convenience of picking one from a catalogue and having it delivered to your doorstep, an easier and time-saving option is to shop online. Sophie’s virtually offers authentic high-quality trees from the US, while Anglo Chinese florist stocks pretty much anything that you need, from miniature two-foot trees to full-sized, nine-foot trees. It also offers decorated table-top trees and bespoke flower arrangements for gifts, as well as a collection service to its customers.

Japanese home décor company, FrancFranc, and Rosewood Shop, housed within the luxury hotel of the same name, are also well known for charming table-top Christmas trees and other festive floral decorations and gifts.