Get into the Christmas Spirit the Chika way!

We’re hurtling to the end of 2021 and that means just one thing—Christmas is right around the corner! Around Hong Kong, the malls are being decked in their festive best and the skyline is being lit up with Christmas-themed lights. For those celebrating the holidays in the city, there are plenty of festive activities to help you get into the festive spirit. Here are few that we think our Chikas will love!

Gingerbread for Good by Cookie Smiles

Created by social entrepreneur Jo Soo-Tang and her business partner, Agnes Chin, Cookie Smiles is a bakery with charity at its core. For this 2021 festive season, the brand has teamed up with 12 of Hong Kong’s most popular chefs—as well as preeminent female pastry chefs like Ando’s Joanna Yuen and Louise’s Natalie Leung—for the Gingerbread for Good pop-up.

At this pop-up bakery you’ll be able to get each chef’s creative takes on the traditional gingerbread at luxury fashion boutique JOYCE’S New World Tower outlet in Central. Proceeds will go to ImpactHK, and some will also be reinvested into Cookie Smiles to support the Splash Foundation, Shine Skills Centre, and The Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association.

December 6-23; JOYCE, New World Tower, 16-18 Queen’s Road Central

BaseHall Christmas Market by The Good Sons

From its location in the basement of Jardine House, BaseHall has thrilled Hongkongers with exciting eats and events. For Christmas, it’s teamed up with The Good Sons—a retail platform with mission to support local businesses and charities—for The BaseHall Christmas Market by The Good Sons to bring a bit of festive magic to the city. Expect booths from fashion resellers Hula—headed by fellow Chika Sarah Fung—and vinyl store Yeti Out, as well as Christmas wreath-making workshops by The Grey Green, and plenty of food and drink from BaseHall’s vendors. If you’re keen, the market will transform into the BaseHall Christmas Party at night, with plenty of carolling, DJs, and other festive fun.

December 11, 11am-4pm; tickets available through Eventbrite. 

Wellness at The Oriental Spa Christmas Bazaar

Blending the Christmas spirit with a hefty dose of wellness, The Oriental Spa Christmas Bazaar is back with an exciting range of holistic wellness and lifestyle products. Browse the selection of wellbeing goods, from essential oils and CBD products to activewear and more. A brunch of popular female-founded wellness brands will be on offer, including Aromatherapy Associates, TITIKA, and Bamboa. Don’t forget to indulge in a little mulled wine, festive cookies, and workshops while you’re shopping!

December 4-5, 12pm-5pm; Spa Café, The Oriental Spa, Landmark Mandarin Oriental

Festive Catering with Relish 

Why not host Christmas at your place this year? With the help of Relish, a renowned catering company fronted by female director Abby Cadman, seasonal entertaining has never been easier. Relish’s epic Christmas menus deliver festive bites with a twist. Think a juicy Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Roll with Sage and Onion Stuffing replacing a whole turkey, and a Crispy Spanish Whole Suckling Pig with Apple & Rhubarb Relish replacing the traditional Christmas Ham. Just order the Family Style Festive Feast through their website—they’ll even take care of decorating your table if you ask nicely! 

Seek Wellness at ASAYA

Need a bit of a recharge after the year we’ve hard? Then you’ll want to head straight to ASAYA. The tranquil oasis, nestled amidst the Rosewood Hong Kong, will host a series of winter wellbeing workshops with in-house and visiting practitioners provided some much-needed r’n’r.

Get crafty with a BeCandle workshop where you’ll get involved in every step of the creative process to create a personalised 200ml candle on December 11, or blend your own bespoke aroma oil from Votary (HK$590 for a 50ml bottle) or body scrub (HK$620 for a 25ml jar) throughout the festive season.

Looking for something different? Explore holistic ways to experience pleasure with certified sex coach Sara Tang’s Sexual Wellness Clinic on December 9, or wrap up 2021 with a New Year’s Eve Meditation led by resident practitioner Kit Shum. 

Hong Kong Ballet’s New Nucracker

What’s Christmas without The Nutcracker? This year, the Hong Kong Ballet is paying tribute to its home city with a city-themed version of this beloved Christmas classic. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score will be brought to life by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, by conductors Yip Wing-sie and Vivian Ip, while costumes and sets will be styled by maestra Gabriela Tylesova. It’s the perfect way to the get into the Christmas spirit this year.  

December 11-26, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui

Festive Staycation at Eaton

Boutique hotel Eaton—masterminded by founder Katherine Lo—is celebrating Hong Kong’s beloved neon signs this December with its exclusive “Let it Glow!” staycation package.

Check in and enjoy photo ops and festive décor around the hotel, a DIY neon art kit in your room, retro local snacks and sweets, a 200g USDA Angus steak at The Meat Co., complimentary breakfast at The Astor, and a tour of the neighborhood’s neon lights. You’ll also be able to see Eaton’s upcycled Christmas Tree—and even lend a hand in decorating it by donating a green item.

From HK$1,000

Christmas Baking with Blossom Cakes

Fancy impressing everyone at Christmas lunch with your very own sweet treats? We suggest taking a Christmas workshop at Blossom Cakes. The female-founded bakery is hosting several festive-themed courses through December, including a Christmas Meringue Cookies workshop on December 4 and 19. Instructor Agnes Tang will be sharing tips and tricks on how to create these moreish bites that your guests won’t be able to resist! 

HK$520 per person, 1pm-5pm

Get Creative at Chocol’art studio 

Get the family—or perhaps a group of like-minded friends—together and unleash your inner artists at a private Christmas workshop at Choco L’Art Studio. You’ll be able to select a particular theme, from wreaths and gel candles to ornaments and paintings, all of which will allow you to make bespoke decorations for the festive season. 

HK$200-HK$500, depending on the class; dates are flexible.

Create Jewellery for a Christmas Present

Want to give someone special a very personalised gift this Christmas? Create your very own piece of jewellery at a workshop with Hatton Jewellery Institute. Created by Founder and Creative Director Nathalie Melville and Managing Director Agnes Shum, this studio is on a mission to inspire the next generation of designers—but they’ll help you create the perfect present this holiday season, too! Create a silver pendent with a festive or original design at the Christmas Pendant Workshop, or make a stunning locket with a personalised message engraved on it at the Christmas Letter Locket Workshop. 

HK$788/HK$1,980; December 12, 19, 22