With Christmas fast approaching and 2016 coming to an end in a couple of weeks, we picked out some of the things you can do to enjoy the festive season as well as gifts to get or food to dig into.
Orchard Road A Great Street
Orchard Road’s annual Christmas on A Great Street will officially launch on 12 November 2016 with the theme of “Spread the Joy”. The official light up ceremony will be held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza and officiated by President Tony Tan at 6.30pm. From then till 2 January 2017, the entire 2.88km stretch from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura will be transformed into a galaxy of enchanting lights of blue, turquoise and sapphire. There will be seven set pieces along Orchard Road and Christmas activities and performances.
MasterCard is the Official Card and it is offering its cardmembers shopping vouchers as well as offering discounted taxi fares of S$5 off to and fro participating malls in Orchard Road every weekend from 12 November 2016 to 1 January 2017 on ComfortDelGro Taxis when booking and paying their rides with Masterpass. There is a cap of 900 trips per weekend i.e. from Friday to Sunday of each weekend. Remember to enter the promo code “ORCHARD”. The 10 participating malls include 313@somerset, Forum The Shopping Mall, Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Central, orchardgateway, Paragon, Scotts Square, Takashimaya Shopping Centre/Ngee Ann City, TANGS at Tang Plaza and The Centrepoint.
The first 200 MasterCard cardmembers each week who charge at least S$300 to a MasterCard at any participating Orchard Road shopping mall will receive a S$30 shopping voucher. You can redeem with a maximum of five same-day accumulated receipts from the same mall.
Orchard Road Business Association has partnered Community Chest to organise this year’s Christmas Light-Up Ceremony. 130 student volunteers from Republic Polytechnic will distribute multi-coloured light sticks to members of the public on the night of the light up. ORBA will pledge S$1 to Community Chest for each light stick given out.
On 12 November 2016, the road between Scotts Road and Bideford Road will be closed to vehicles from 3pm to 11pm. Enjoy performances by local talents like Jack & Rai, or dance with the dancers from Glee Studios. There will also be a Christmas Market with 30 to 40 stalls selling gifts and crafts. Have fun with the trackless train, bouncy castle, Santa’s corner, life-size snow globe, food truck fest and vintage rides.
Enjoy carollers and musicians from various schools and institutions as they perform in the evenings from 7pm to 9.20pm at Paragon and orchardgateway.
Season of Resplendence at ION Orchard
ION Orchard’s ‘Season of Resplendence’ will be one of shopping, charity and activities to evoke the wonders of Christmas. The mall will be adorned with glittering ornaments, decorative lights and a festive scent. This year’s 20 metre Christmas Tree is decorated by Tiffany & Co with over 2,000 custom-designed ornaments, including diamond-facet ornaments, iconic Tiffany Blue Boxes and a faceted tree topper. The first ever walk-in Christmas tree offers an interactive New York City night sky-line photo booth which can be activated by a hug, kiss or an expression of love through touch. Photos can be collected at the Tiffany & Co. duplex at Level 1 of ION Orchard. Take a walk through the fantasy maze and enjoy the line-up of festive pop-up shops and enjoy the Yuletide entertainment and dining options. Inside the mall, over 180,000 Christmas baubles, stars and lights will add to the festive magic.
This year’s charity is once again with Rainbow Centre, a non profit organisation supported by the Community Chest that serves children and youths with developmental needs, including autism, physical, visual and/or hearing disabilities. ION Orchard’s gift wrapping paper has been specially designed by students at Rainbow Centre Schools. You can pledge your support for every set of gift wrapping received with a donation via a Coin Deposit machine provided by Singapore Mint located at Level 1 AtriumThe children’s art work will be on display for sale. All coins collected will go towards Community Chest to help the beneficiaries from about 80 social service organisations including children with special needs and youth-at-risk, adults with disabilities, families in difficulty, seniors and persons with mental health issues.
ION Orchard is also lending support to Rainbow Centre’s Rainbow CHAIRity, where students have been given the opportunity to create artworks on 55 child-sized Louis chairs together with artists to raise funds for the centre’s extension building. This platform provides the students with a blank-slate to create their own collaborative piece. Selected works will be displayed on Level 3, and at the ION Art gallery on Level 4.
ION Orchard is offering Christmas Season rewards to shoppers:
- S$15 Voucher when you shop at B1 – B4 – First 1,000 ION+ Rewards Members and American Express Card Members with S$200 spent. Redeem at B3 Concierge.
- S$30 Voucher# when you shop at B1 – B4 & L1 – L6 / L55 – First 80 ION+ Rewards Members and American Express Card Members daily with S$450 spent. Redeem at L4 Concierge.
- S$100 Voucher# and vouchers from Diane von Furstenberg and Suitsupply when you shop at B1 – B4 & L1 – L6 / L55 – ION+ Rewards Exclusive: First 80 members weekly with $2,000 spent. Redeem at L4 Concierge.
- Up to 8% Rewards Mall-wide – Receive up to 8% rewards for the first $100 spent from now till 31 Dec 2016 (if shopper’s birthday falls between 1 Nov and 31 Dec 2016, they enjoy up to 12% rewards)
- Special Christmas Gift Wrappers when You Shop at B1 – B4 & L1 – L6 / L55 – ION+ Rewards Members and American Express Card Members with S$80 spent receive Christmas Gift Wrappers co-designed by students of Rainbow Centre, a beneficiary of Community Chest.
- Redeem at L4, L1, or B3 Concierge. Complimentary gift wrapping at B3 Concierge.
- American Express Shop & Win – Stand to win 1,000,000 Membership Rewards points each week with S$50 spend in a single receipt exclusively at ION Orchard, from now till 31 Dec 2016.
- Life’s Sweeter at ION Orchard – American Express Card Members enjoy a complimentary set of 2 macarons~ (worth S$4) with S$60 spend. Redeem at L4 Concierge from now till 31 Jan 2017. 6
- Park & Ride On Us – First 150 shoppers daily receive $10 Uber promo code with min. S$150 spend. Redeem at L4 Concierge.
Friends of the Disabled Society Sale at ibis Style Singapore on MacPherson
On Thursday 17 November 2016, head down to the lounge area and poolside at Ibis Styles Singapore on MacPherson where the hotel will be hosting their first charity event together with Friends of The Disabled Society. Ibis Styles Singapore on MacPherson is creating awareness in helping the less fortunate and spreading the love and joy during the Christmas season with their first corporate social responsibility project of the year.
Various handicrafts and accessories will be on sale with proceeds donated to the Friends of the Disabled Society. Art and Craft Development and Marketing Skill is part of the FDS’s Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme. It taps on the creativity of FDS members as well as allows them to earn an income through the sale of displayed items.
As part of the festive celebrations, the hotel will also host a Christmas dinner for the FDS on 3 December 2016.
Friends of the Disabled Society was registered with the Registry of Societies as a non-profit organisation on 20 December 2000. Today the activities of the Society are supported by free-will contributions of well wishers. It aims to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of the disabled individual.
ibis Styles Singapore on MacPherson is located at 401 MacPherson Road, #01-16, Singapore 368215.
Christmas Wonderland 2016 at Gardens By The Bay
Spend time with your family and friends at this year’s Christmas Wonderland at the Gardens by the Bay. Held from 2 December 2016 to 1 January 2017, the attractions will open from 4pm to 11pm daily while the luminaries will be lit from 7pm.
This experiential fair will offer a magical experience. Embark on a festive journey and marvel at the Italian luminarie – Sculptures of Light illuminating the fairground. Enjoy new experiences such as the Ice Palace or the local debut of the Hi-5 Funtastic House as well as a magical forest of Christmas trees and a bigger festive shopping and dining experience, more carnival games and curated festive performances.
Admission to the fair starts from S$4 onwards. Tickets will not be sold on site. Pre purchase them from www.christmaswonderland.sg
Get Your Christmas Gifts from Zilingo
Zilingo is Southeast Asia’s latest fashion e-commerce platform that lets you shop in Bangkok’s Chatuchak and Pratunam or Singapore’s hipster Haji Lane and Bugis Street or anywhere in the ASEAN region in the comforts of your own home. The e-commerce platform has over 2,000 small enterprises that sell apparel, accessories, bags, shoes and lifestyle products to over half a million active users.
Gift Aesop’s Pursuit of Passion This Christmas
Aesop presents six new gift kits for 2016 -2017 calling them Pursuits of Passion and are already available in stores and online. The six kits celebrate six naturalists long revered for their writing and illustrations. Each kit is packaged in practical, reusable amenity cases and wrapped in sleeves featuring the illustrations by Norwegian artist Bendik Kaltenborn. Pamper your friends and family with one of the gift kits this festive season.
Give the gift of a complete classic skin care regimen. The Persistent Collector is priced at S$191 and comes with a 100ml Fabulous Face Cleanser, 100ml B & Tea Balancing Toner, 60mL Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream, 60mL Blue Chamomile Facile Hydrating Masque and a Face Cloth.
The Ardent Illustrator features three much loved Parsley Seed Skin Care staples priced at S$244. It contains a 200mL Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, 100m Anti-Oxidant Serum and 15ml Anti-Oxidant Eye Serum.
The Avid Explorer is a lavish Body Care quartet priced at S$155. Pamper someone with a 500mL Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, 75mL Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, 200mL A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser, 120ml Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm.
The Constant Gatherer makes a great gift that is priced at S$101. The refreshing body care duet contains the 500mL Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and a 120mL Rind Concentrate Body Balm.
The Impassioned Wanderer is a nourishing Hair Care trio priced at S$105. Hair Care essentials include a 200mL Nurturing Shampoo, 200mL Nurturing Conditioner and a 120mL Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque.
The Intrepid Gent is a perfect gift for the well-groomed man. Priced at S$126, this gift set contains a 100mL Fabulous Face Cleanser, 60mL Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion, 200mL Coriander Seed Body Cleanser.
SAVOUR Christmas Returns 17 – 20 November
From 17 to 20 November 2016, Savour Christmas is back at Bayfront Avenue next to Marina Bay Sands Exhibition Centre. Indulge in the biggest Christmas feast as 12 top restaurants serve up over 30 dishes at only S$6 and S$12 along with the launch of its first ever Christmas Food Market. A real life indoor tree shipped from Oregon, a full decked out Christmas Market and The SAVOUR Farmers Market as well as the final showdown of the last 10 restaurants in the DBS Live Your Dream initiative are just some of the activities that will make your trip to SAVOUR Christmas a worthwhile one.
Shop at the Jasons Christmas Market where you can enjoy Hokkaido Lavender Soft Serve, a special London Roast Duck and order your turkey and ham. SAVOUR and Martell has also teamed up with eight dishes in the Gourmet Village that pairs well with Martell Cordon Bleu. Present your Martell Gourmet Passport when you order to redeem your tasting portion. But remember to sign up for the Passport online or at L’Espace Martell at SAVOUR. The Badoit Bubble Bar at the Gourmet Village will keep you refreshed and hydrated all day long as long as you feast on over 30 amazing dishes and endless Christmas treats.
Operating hours are 6 to 11pm on 17 and 18 November, 12 to 4pm and 6 to 11pm on 19 November and 12 to 9pm on 20 November 2016.
Celebrate Christmas At The Iconic Raffles Singapore
Head down to the iconic Raffles Singapore for a five course Christmas Eve Dinner or Brunch or lunch on Christmas Day. Celebrate with a five course Christmas Eve Dinner or Christmas Day lunch at Raffles Grill. Enjoy specially prepared dishes including Light Smoked Foie Gras Terrine with Brussel Sprouts and Beet Caramel and Maine Lobster with Romaine Leves, “Sot Ly Laisse” and Black Truffle.
Head over to the Bar and Billiard Room for the renowned Raffles’ Christmas Day Brunch. Enjoy a spread of appetisers, desserts and live stations as well as festive cravings of Sea Urchin and Alaskan King Crab with Scrambled Eggs as well as Langoustine Ravioli with Whisked Lemon Butter, Green Cabbage and Black Truffle.
Be sure to make reservations. Call +6564121816 or email dining.singapore@raffles.com
Herald in the new year with the New Year’s Eve Revelry package from S$3,836++ for a two-night stay with a pair of seats to Raffles Singapore’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala Ball. Call +6564121244 or email roomreservations.singapore@raffles.com for stay queries and reservations.
Festive Dining at Marriott Café
For the month of December, you can enjoy festive dining during lunch or dinner at Marriott Café in the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. The buffet spread includes meats roasting on the fire, Christmas classics, Western and Asian delights, fresh seafood on ice or grilled, premium charcuterie and desserts amidst Yultide carols sung by a choir.
The Bourbon & Honey Glazed Leg Ham is absolutely fabulous. It is a personal favourite and we highly recommend you not to miss it. Other Christmas delights include Roast Turkey with Dried Fruits and Chestnut Stuffing, Roast Prime Rib of Beef, Pork Saddle stuffed with Prunes and Pancetta; Lobster Bisque and many others.
A buffet dinner is not complete without desserts. Enjoy Mulled Fruit Brulee; Eggnog Financier Cream Pots; Pink Champagne Jelly; Stollen; Avocado Lemon Minestrone Fruits; Chocolate Breton Sable with Coffee Ganache and others.
Buffet Lunch is priced at S$63++ per adult or S$32++ per child from Monday to Saturday or S$98++ per adult with free flow of sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks and S$46++ per child on Sundays. Dinner is priced at S$80++ per adult and S$40++ per child for Mondays to Thursdays or S$88++ per adult and S$44++ per child on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, Adults pay S$80++ each and Children pay S$40++ each.
On Christmas Eve, Lunch is priced at S$75++ per adult and S$38++ per child. Dinner is priced at S$138++ with free flow of sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks per adult or S$60++ per child.
The Lunch pricing for Christmas Day is S$118++ with free flow of sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks per adult, and S$58++ per child. Christmas day dinner is priced at S$138++ with free flow of sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks per adult and S$60++ per child.
Another favourite is the Boneless Chicken and Duck Stuffed Turkey Turducken with Madeira Sauce. A 4.5 to 5kg order is priced at S$258. That’s three different types of meat in one order to take home. You have to pre order this five days in advance.
For pre-order, please call 6831 4708, email mhrs.sindt.fb.promotions@marriotthotels.com or visit www.singaporemarriott.com/dining
Christmas Feasting at Mandarin Orchard
Enjoy 20% off for early bird takeaways from 23 November to 14 December 2016 when you charge to your Citibank and DBS or POSB cards. Other credit cards get 15% off during the early bird period. During the normal period of 15 to 31 December 2016, Citibank and DBS/POSB cardholders enjoy a 15% off while other cards enjoy 10% off. Take away delights such as Baked Norwegian Salmon Fillet with Watercress Crust (S$135 for 1.5kg) , Roasted London Duck with Chinese Herbs (S$85 for 2.8kg), Premium Honey-Glazed Gammon Ham (S$318 for 4.2 to 4.5kg boneless)/(S$415 for 6 to 7kg Bone In) or the Red Velvet Yule Log (S$80 for 1kg) and Valrhona Delicious Dulcey Yule Log (S$80 for 1kg) amongst many others.
Order form can be downloaded. Call +6568316272/6320 or email festivedesk.orchard@meritushotels.com for order and enquiries. Delivery is available at S$80 per destination for purchases below S$1,000.
Visit the Capella Christmas Market
Capella Singapore’s annual Christmas Brunch returns with the theme Capella Christmas Market at the Ballroom foyer on Christmas day. Live food stations, upbeat music from a roving band and hearty Christmas fare are part of the highlights of this fiesta. Priced at S$198++with free flow of soft drinks and fresh juices or S$228++ with free flow of wine and Champagne per person, you get to enjoy Foie Gras Custard with Gingerbread Crouton & Port Wine, Traditional Baked Christmas Turkey stuffed with Quince stuffing and Natural Jus and desserts such as the Alphonso Mango Mousse Logcake with Passion Fruit Seeds and Pandan Sponge, Almond Marzipan Stollen or the Matcha Green Tea Profiteroles and Bordeaux Canele.
Or if you prefer something more local, Cassia offers two six-course festive menus for lunch or dinner on 24 and 25 December 2016. Lunch is priced at S$88++ and Dinner S$148++. Executive Chinese Chef Lee Hiu Ngai has specially prepared Double boiled Thick Chicken Broth with Fresh Crab Claw, Fish Maw and Dried Scallops, Baked Spare Ribs with Champagne Sauce and Melon Puree with Fresh Milk and Deep Fried Sesame Ball with Chocolate.
Ricola Launches Four Festive Collectible Tins
Ricola Swiss herb drops has launched four specially designed limited edition Ricola Festive Collectible Tins in Singapore. The four different design tins in high-quality 3-D embossing contain 200 grammes of individually wrapped herb drops if four flavours including the Original Swiss Herb, Alpine Fresh, Apple Mint and Lemon Mint. The four designs are the winning designs from 500 design proposals of the ‘Ricola Design Collection’ campaign. Each tin can be purchased at S$14.50 each from FairPrice outlets.
Ricola is also giving out S$100 cash each week for nine weeks from 1 November 2016. Purchase Ricola products to qualify. 200 winners will also walk away with a total of S$20,000 by the end of the instant draw period. Visit the microsite for more information. Also stand a chance to win a 5D4N ski holiday in Switzerland worth S$10,000 for purchases before 31 December 2016.
Wine and Coravin Go Hand In Hand This Christmas
There will be lots of wine during the festive season and we think the CORAVIN Model Two Elite will be the perfect device for enjoying your wine. Priced at S$530 in three limited edition colours red, gold and silver, the CORAVIN Christmas Gift box features one Coravin device with a polished chrome finish, a standard needle, wine bottle sleeve and a needle clearing tool. There are also two extra CORAVIN capsules for more months of wine access. You can purchase the CORAVIN from Enoteca Wine, The Oaks and Vintage Wine Club.
A thin medical grade needle passes through foil and cork to access the wine. The bottle is pressurised with a harmless gas argon which pushes the wine through the needle into your glass without letting any oxygen in. Remove the needle and the cork naturally reseals itself while preserving the rest of the wine. This means you can bring out different bottles of wine for your guests to choose to drink by the glass.
Return To Wonderland Christmas Market
Still stumped on what to get your loved ones for this festival of giving? Then, head on down to Free Folk’s Return To Wonderland Christmas Market for 7 days (28 November to 4 December 2016) worth of Christmas shopping at Millenia Walk. You will find all sorts of handmade crafts from homegrown brands such as Pantheon and AuC Jewellery, hand drawn cards by Troops on Prints to artisanal skincare products from FrankSkincare. Lieutenant Kernel will also be selling Christmas nut hampers that’s perfect with all the wine and cheese during Christmas dinners.
Check out their Facebook page to find out more.
H&M Beauty Holiday Collection
Looking for that celebration sparkle, or a dark luscious shade to spice things up? H&M Beauty Holiday Collections are all you will need this holiday season. It will come in two flavours; Christmas and New Years. For the former, there will be lipgloss set with four velvety colours from Winter Apple to Lip of Luxury, the Chameleon Eye Palette with 20 light to dark shades, glow-to-go sticks for highlights and more. The New Years Party collection will include matte and cream lip colours, edgy nail shades and Over The Moon eyeshadow and a black high and mighty mascara.
The H&M Beauty Holiday 2016 Collection will be available at H&M Orchard Flagship Building and H&M One Raffles Place.
