Newsflash: Christmas is only a few sleeps away! With that said, we know how the year-end rush gets. While some may already be enjoying their holidays away from the worries of meeting endless deadlines, those less fortunate among us may be frantically trying to tie up loose ends before *finally* going on a break. And the latter leaves little to no time to prep for that festive get-together you’ve been looking forward to.
If the last thing you have time or energy for is putting up a Christmas tree or baking festive treats, don’t cancel on that house party just yet! Keep calm and carry on with this last-minute guide/checklist that will have you ready for much-deserved quality time with your loved ones!
READY-MADE DECORATIONS
Homegrown gifting company BloomThis is your one-stop shop for festive decorations (and gifts too). From fresh flower bouquets to miniature Christmas trees and festive wreaths, you can have all the fandangles you need to add a sparkle of joy around your home. The best part is that you can shop online and have the products delivered straight to your address within the same day (for orders before 4pm)! All you need to do is find your favourite spot to place them and your house will be decked out for the occasion.
(READ NEXT: 9 Must-have Christmas decor items for your home this holiday)
FUSS-FREE FESTIVE TREATS
You can’t have guests over without offering festive treats before dinner or during the games session, can you? Thankfully, you can get Christmas cookies and seasonal delights almost anywhere, from your local bakery to the nearest supermarket. Just in case you need some ideas, keep scrolling!
Entier Christmas Festive Box, RM128
Bring home the festivities with a box of cakes and condiments for sharing like this Entier Christmas Box, which contains one Chocolate Fruit Cake, one Signature Fruit Cake, one Strawberry and Lavender Jam, two jars of Entier Kombu Butter and one Festive Mixed Spice. Available for a limited time only from 18 December 2023 to 31 December 2023.
Universal Bakehouse’s “Home for Christmas” Cookie Gift Box, RM95
As its name implies, Universal Bakehouse’s specially designed box for the season resembles a charming house—a visual metaphor for the theme of ‘Home for Christmas’, if you will. Behind its doors, you’ll find an assortment of treats including Gingerbread Men, Grinchy Matcha Shortbread, Rudolph the Red Nose Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond Cookies, and timeless Ho-Ho-Holly Jolly Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies.
Shop the gift box exclusively at Universal Bakehouse outlets in Damansara Kim, PJ, and If Only, KL, from 1st December 2023 to 1st January 2024.
Elevete Patisserie Yule Log Cake (Salted Caramel Chocolate Roulade), RM90
There’s nothing quite as classic as the Bûche de Noël, or better known as Yule Log Cake, during Christmas! Elevete’s take consists of a Moist Chocolate Cake with Signature Salted Caramel buttercream, rolled, and covered with rich dark couverture chocolate frosting.
Haagen-Dazs Wonder of Wonders collection, RM38.50 per pint
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Go nuts with Haagen Dazs’ new nutty ice cream flavours, introduced as part of its Wonder of Wonders collection. Pistachio & Cream offers a rich, creamy ice cream base with swirls of luscious pistachio sauce and caramelised almond and pistachio nuts. On the other hand, the equally decadent Chestnut Tart ice cream blends smooth chestnut sauce with graham cracker pieces and brown sugar for a sweet, earthy, and nutty combination.
Both ice cream flavours are available for purchase for a limited time only, while stocks last, at all major supermarkets, hypermarkets, e-tailers and convenience stores.
Dome’s Festive Flavours
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Dome Cafe is celebrating the holiday season with four festive flavours: Cranberry Sables, Chocolate Crinkles, Ginger Snap, and Sugee. These cookies are available for purchase in sets of two, four and six. Be warned though—the Ginger Snaps are extremely addictive!
Shop now at all Dome cafes nationwide.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT
Apple Services has got you covered in the entertainment department with heartwarming holiday features across Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade.
Apple Music
Set the tone with the Carols Covered playlist featuring a new line-up of exclusive-to-Apple Music holiday songs reimagined by some of contemporary music’s most impactful artists, or hit replay on the Classical Carols Covered playlist for new renditions of carols and festive songs performed by top classical artists—including ‘O Christmas Tree’ by Jeongyeon of k-pop group Twice!
(READ MORE: How Mariah Carey and Michael Buble became the king and queen of Christmas)
Apple TV+
If your idea of a well-spent Christmas usually involves a movie, then cosy up to watch new Apple TV+ titles like the holiday musical ‘Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas’ and the Apple Original special ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’, which is based on the beloved children’s classic by Margery Williams. Or you can catch up on previously released holiday shows like ‘Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special’ and ‘I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown’.
(SEE ALSO: 10 New Christmas movies to watch with your loved ones this season)
Apple Arcade
Good news for those who prefer gaming, Apple Arcade has added 50 updates to existing titles on the service. Immerse in the Disney magic in Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition or embark on an epic fantasy puzzle RPG adventure in Puzzle & Dragons Story. There are also multi-player games like ‘Taiko no Tatsujin Pop Tap Beat’ (featuring six new song) and ‘Cooking Mama: Cuisine!’, which has an all-new Flour Recipes book with four new recipes.
TAKEAWAY MEALS
Now for the biggest highlight of any festive party—the food. Whether you’re craving for festive roasts or cheese platters, we’ve rounded up some places to order from below:
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Festive Moments of Grandeur, from RM38
The Mandarin Cake shop has a complete menu offering everything you need to create a full spread at home. There are meaty mains such as Whole Roasted Australian Lamb Leg and Roasted Whole Duck, festive sides like mashed potatoes and root vegetables, and desserts including a charming Gingerbread House and Christmas Panettone. Plus, you can also order gift hampers to share the yuletide joy with your guests!
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Roasted Delights, from RM320
From classics like Baked Beef Wellington to Malaysian-style roasts like Roasted Tandoori Whole Chicken, look no further than Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur for hearty meats to satisfy big appetites.
The Farm Christmas Menu, from RM22
The Farm at The Sphere, Bangsar South is introducing its first Christmas menu, featuring refreshing salads, indulgent mains (such as a Whole Classic Roast Chicken or Grilled Australian MB5 Tomahawk), and comforting sides.
Keju by Carmen, from RM190
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Keju by Carmen’s whimsical collection of cheese platters and seasonal nibbles promise to delight the eyes and taste buds—arriving in the form of baubles, wreaths, and Christmas-themed grazing tables!
(SEE MORE: The best Christmas menus and buffets in the Klang Valley)
SIMPLE COCKTAIL RECIPES
To please your booze-loving guests, grab a bottle of Hendrick’s Gin and go to town with these easy-to-make cocktail recipes!
Hendrick’s Cranberry Fizz
Ingredients
1 part (30ml) Hendrick’s Gin
2 parts (60ml) cranberry juice
1 part (30ml) sparkling wine or soda water
Cucumber slices
Mint sprig
Cranberries to garnish
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a highball filled with cubed ice. Lightly stir before garnishing with two thinly sliced rounds of cucumber, cranberries, and mint.
Hendrick’s French 75
Ingredients
1 part (30ml) Hendrick’s Gin
1/3 part (10ml) simple syrup
1/3 part (10ml) lemon juice
3 parts (top) with Champagne
Lemon twist to garnish
Instructions
Add Hendrick’s Gin, simple syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake well, and fine strain into a flute. Top with Champagne and finish with a lemon twist to garnish.
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