(From right) Filipino Era, her husband Arnold with their children Enzo Reedly and Ethan Reese enjoying the festivities in Johor.
WHETHER it is returning home, celebrating away from family or crossing borders, many are welcoming Christmas in their own meaningful ways this year.
For Singaporean Tristal Lim, 40, crossing the border to celebrate Christmas in Johor Baru is a must for her family of four.
“We celebrate Christmas in Johor almost every year, as all my relatives and my husband’s as well as our extended family members are in Johor.
“We would normally go for Christmas Mass in the morning before having a nice brunch together to spend some quality time as a family,” she said.
The accounts manager added that she and her husband had also started a new tradition of holidaying in Desaru after spending Christmas in Johor Baru.
“We started this tradition about two years ago and plan to continue doing it.
Singaporean Lim (seated right) with her husband Melwynn Leong and two children Elias (right) and Gianna. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
“It is usually just my husband and our two children, but we also invite other family members to join us if they are free,” she said.
Also returning home to celebrate Christmas is 32-year-old Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) postgraduate student Athena Dana from Tatau, Sarawak.
“I was initially supposed to celebrate Christmas in Johor, but at the last minute, I was able to return home.
“For me, Christmas is more meaningful when you get to spend it with people close to you.
“I also love taking part in Christmas carols, visiting relatives and enjoying good food back home,” said Athena, who is pursuing her PhD in Bioscience.
For her, Christmas begins with a church service in the morning, followed by random family activities or visits throughout the day.
Rayen will make the best of Christmas in Johor while Athena will return to Sarawak for the festival.
“We don’t really have any Christmas traditions in the family, but recently we started decorating a Christmas tree and exchanging gifts,” she said.
UTM undergraduate student Rayen Raymond, 21, hopes to make the best of his Christmas in Johor despite having to be away from his hometown in Kota Belud, Sabah.
“Unfortunately, flight tickets are too expensive for me as a student, and I only get a three-day holiday for Christmas, which is too short.
“This will be my second year celebrating Christmas here,” he said, adding that the last time he celebrated at home was in 2023.
“I am a bit sad about it, but I do what I can to make my Christmas special nonetheless,” said the chemical engineering student.
Athena.
Rayen was among those who attended a special Christmas service for UTM students at Skudai Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) church on Dec 20.
“It really helps me feel better about having to be away from home. Although we may not have blood ties, the warmth and love we share make it feel like we are one family.
“In fact, I almost felt like I was in my hometown,” he said, adding that the Christmas atmosphere in Johor was lively and he especially liked the decorations.
For Filipino Era Adorna, 29, Christmas is extra special this year as she gets to experience the festivities in three countries.
“We decided to have a short vacation in Singapore and Malaysia before returning home for Christmas.
“I get to see how people in Singapore and Malaysia welcome Christmas, which is quite similar to the atmosphere in the Philippines,” she said.
Era, who was travelling with her husband and two children, were among those spotted enjoying a carolling performance by the Calvary Community Church on Dec 20. — By VENESA DEVI
