{"id":19417,"date":"2022-12-24T10:00:23","date_gmt":"2022-12-24T02:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nsman.safra.sg\/?p=19417"},"modified":"2023-04-18T11:08:28","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T03:08:28","slug":"how-were-celebrating-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nsman.safra.sg\/how-were-celebrating-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"How We’re Celebrating Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas is for many, the magical conclusion to another eventful year. In the spirit of the season, we have collated heartfelt recollections by our friends on why they love the festive season, and their plans for this year’s celebrations.<\/p>\n

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Desmond Fu (seated, first from left)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Christmas is typically spent with my extended family and friends, as we share conversations which are complemented with food and drinks. We like to keep it simple that way. In fact, this best describes my ideal Christmas celebration \u2013 a time where my loved ones can spend time together and enjoy one another\u2019s company.<\/p>\n

This year will not be too different, except for the possibility that we might entertain a larger gathering given our confined circumstances these past few years, as we all would know.” \u2013 Desmond Fu, <\/i>Portfolio Manager<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

“I cannot emphasise enough how much I love Christmas, especially since it pairs perfectly with my wanderlust!<\/p>\n

Every year, I would travel to a few European countries for two weeks, indulging in the festivities and the jovial ambience! Just imagine \u2013 the Christmas markets, the flurry of snow and the coolness of the air \u2013 just perfect! On Christmas day itself, I would return home to spend the day with my adorable dog, as we take a stroll down Orchard Road and drop by at pet-friendly cafes. We would also decorate our home to match the wondrous festive radiance in Europe!<\/p>\n

Travelling this year is incredibly complicated. So, I have decided to host a high tea session at home with friends, as well as a gingerbread house baking session! Maybe once the situation improves, I could bring my dog overseas to celebrate Christmas!” \u2013 Ong Jes Sy, Art Director<\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"
SWO Leong Teng Kee (front row, first from right, in blue singlet)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Well personally, I\u2019m not a huge celebrant of Christmas. This year\u2019s celebrations, though, will be a pivotal one for me! It just so happens that I\u2019ll be meeting my friends from Temasek Rotaract Club to celebrate my birthday, and we\u2019ll use that opportunity to celebrate Christmas early as well. More interestingly however, is the fact that 18 December also marked the last day of my military career \u2013 a part of my life that has spanned for over 38 years! It’s hard to believe that time flies so quickly. I guess it’s fitting that we will kickstart the birthday cum Christmas cum semi-retirement party with a Tabata workout session, then a festive potluck accompanied with games and music!”\u00a0 <\/span>– SWO Leong Teng Kee, Retired <\/i>Military Trainer<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Audrey Ang (back row, fourth from left, in blue t-shirt)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Christmas is a huge event at my place, as it should be! We usually host a large party at my place \u2013 by large, I mean 60-80 partygoers \u2013 and we’ll prepare a glorious feast befitting the festivities! You can only imagine the spread we have on our table \u2013 turkey, ham and log cake amongst many other dishes. Some of our guests would also contribute to the feast by bringing more food, so much so that the leftovers could actually last us until the New Year! I just enjoy the company of all my friends and loved ones and providing them this indulgent space during Christmas is my way of showing my appreciation and thanks!<\/p>\n

This Christmas can be described as pretty atypical for me, given that I\u2019m actually travelling to Italy! I\u2019m going to use the opportunity to just relish in the country\u2019s hospitality and unwind after a hectic year.” \u2013 Audrey Ang, Human Resource Business Partner<\/i><\/p>\n

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Arthur Leong (first from left)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“In the past, a month before Christmas, we would spend time looking for a Christmas tree, as well as ornaments that can perfectly evoke the jolly spirit of the season. We would also dedicate time to preparing gifts, as our relatives would come over to my house to celebrate the festivities together. We would play games, eat, and then go to church to kickstart the year on a positive note!<\/p>\n

However, as we have gotten older, we no longer have the luxury of time to decorate the house as we used to. Instead, we would go overseas and celebrate Christmas with our own families!” \u2013 Arthur Leong, student<\/i><\/p>\n

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app<\/span><\/a> and opt in\u00a0for the eNSman Newsletter \u2013 you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe \u2013 and never miss another story!<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During this season of giving, we chat with our friends on what Christmas means to them, and how they’re planning to celebrate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":19424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9,5],"tags":[566,470,3951,3581],"yoast_head":"\nHow We're Celebrating Christmas<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"During this festive season, our friends recount some of the most heartfelt memories and hopes for the coming holiday.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How We're Celebrating Christmas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"During this festive season, our friends recount some of the most heartfelt memories and hopes for the coming holiday.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/nsman.safra.sg\/how-were-celebrating-christmas\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"eNSMAN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SAFRAsg\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-24T02:00:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-04-18T03:08:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/nsman.safra.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/HowWeCelebrateChristmas-MainPix.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"836\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"430\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nsman.safra.sg\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nsman.safra.sg\/\",\"name\":\"eNSman - 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