Christmas is a season that evokes warmth and joy in the festive merrymakers. It’s like a cosy blanket that wraps over people who celebrate it. Christmas is more than just the day itself. The eve, Boxing Day, and the days before are the carving process for the day’s climax.
It is spending days looking for the perfect gifts for loved ones — all in the name of making their day bright and merry. Then wrapping it up into a bundle of joy, imagining how joyful the receivers will be. Along the way, Christmas decorations festooned the season, with Christmas-themed songs playing in the background.
And how are the masses celebrating this day? Some readers shared their typical Christmas day with New Sarawak Tribune.
Stephanie Goh, 51, Homemaker
A Christmas family dinner is a must! On the eve of Christmas, my family and I would balik kampung to Kampung Tian Mawang, Mile 29, for a reunion. We’d cook over firewood together, preparing dishes to offer to the guests the next day. We would visit relatives’ houses on Christmas Day.
Melvina Selvia, 28, Project Administrator
My family and I would return to our kampung before Christmas eve. We would be in either Kampung Stabut, Padawan or Kampung Sebemban, Serian. I decided to join the church choir this year. So, on Christmas morning, I’ll go to church first before returning to the kampung. My families in kampung would usually congregate, prepare a feast, eat together, sing karaoke, and visit each other.
Valerie Giang, 28, English Teacher
My family and I usually start our mornings by attending the Christmas service at St Thomas Church. Following that, we would hurry to get food ready for our open house at my grandparents’ house. We would gather after the feasting, take pictures, and then exchange gifts. This reminds me of why we celebrate the holiday. The more I hear the hymns, the more I appreciate and enjoy the Christmas spirit. Something about the season always brings me joy and peace.
Fan Yuhu, 53 and Gloria Chin, 33, World Travellers by car
Previously, Fan would attend church in places such as Australia, Argentina, Kenya, and Greece. We’ll be in Jakarta for Christmas this year. Because we are both Christians, we will be enjoying the occasion in a Chinese church with the congregation as a big family.
Kelly Kong, 34, self-employed
My husband and I will be running our salon in Kuching Central this year. We were understaffed since one of our employees wanted to return to her hometown for Christmas. Despite this, we let her go home because the point of Christmas is to spend time with our families. Since I recently gave birth, spending time at the salon with my husband allows us to bond over work while also helping the people who come in for their appointments to look lovely this season.
