Starchild: Malaysian kids share why Christmas is the coolest time of the year

Zachary Sanjay Joseph, 7

Christmas may be over, but the festive spirit is still in the air. The twinkling lights, the joyful carols and the warmth of spending time with loved ones make this time of the year very special.

How did you celebrate Christmas? Did you savour a big feast with your family, or did you spend the day opening presents by the tree?

C. Esther Sunita, 12Starchild hopes your Christmas was filled with laughter, delicious food and of course, exciting presents! What was your favourite gift this year? Maybe it was a toy you’ve been dreaming of, a book you’ve been wanting to read or a handmade surprise from someone you love.

Now, as the year comes to an end, it is time to look forward to New Year’s Eve. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all the good memories this year – like the fun times you enjoyed with friends, the things you have learned and the adventures you had.

It is also the perfect time to set new goals for the year ahead. What is something you’d like to achieve in 2025? Perhaps you want to try a new hobby, be kinder to others or work harder in school.

Starchild hopes everyone is ready to welcome 2025 with open hearts, big dreams and lots of anticipation!

Twelve-year-old Amelie Kumar has flown all the way from Aberdeen, Scotland, to celebrate Christmas with her family in sunny Malaysia.

Amelie Kumar, 12“When I think of Christmas, I think of family. It is a time for relaxation, holidays and an opportunity to spend time with the people I love. The vibe that comes with Christmas is always special. The malls are filled with festive spirit, everyone is out with their families and friends.

"I am always excited to see what presents I get that year and am aware of how fortunate I am to receive such gifts. I have chosen to draw a candy cane as it is associated with Christmas and has a symbolic meaning.”

Zachary Sanjay Joseph, seven, writes: “I enjoyed decorating my house for Christmas. I have my own little Christmas tree. Every year, I get to choose the theme for my Christmas tree. When I was little, I used to decorate my Christmas tree with animals and Lego Minecraft building blocks. This year, I have opted for a traditional look for my Christmas tree.

Chuah Seng Koon, 9"Besides the gifts from my parents, my biggest wish this Christmas is for my favourite teacher, Ms Suja to get better. She has been under the weather. I really hope to see her back in school. I miss her very much. I hope for a good year full of God’s blessings and for everyone to always be happy.”

“Christmas is always an exciting time filled with holiday cheer and festive events. In Gurney Plaza, Penang, the decorations are truly spectacular. It is also the school holidays, making it a perfect time to celebrate with family.

"My family celebrates Christmas with a delicious dinner and the joy of opening presents together. Christmas is, without a doubt, one of my favourite holidays of the year. Wishing all The Star readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” says Chuah Seng Koon, nine.

Renee Lee, 10“On Christmas eve, my mother and I baked gingerbread cookies and decorated them with frosting. On Christmas morning, I was thrilled to find a dollhouse under the tree with my name on it. But what makes it really special is when we all sit together to watch Christmas movies and eat yummy food,” says Renee Lee, 10.

C. Esther Sunita, 12, writes: “Christmas is the best time of the year because I get to spend it with my family. My cousins come over, and we play games all day.

I love decorating the Christmas tree with shiny ornaments and tinsel. This year, I got many gifts including a bracelet, books and toys – it is so cool!”

S. Emelia, 12S. Emelia, 12, says: “Christmas is my favourite time of year because it brings everyone together. My cousins travelled from Kuala Lumpur to celebrate with us in Johor, and the house feels so lively and happy. This year, I helped my father put up the Christmas lights. On Christmas morning, my older brother, cousins and I unwrapped our presents and spent the whole day playing with our new toys.”

ITEM: Starchild would love to hear all about your hobbies! Whether you enjoy reading, playing a musical instrument, painting or trying out new sports, we are excited to know what keeps you happy and busy. Tell us why you love your hobby, how you started and any special moments you have experienced while doing it. Draw a picture showcasing your hobby. We can’t wait to see what you will share!

Find the hidden words!

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Jan 10. Please put “STARCHILD:My Hobbies” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.