JOHOR BARU: Christmas may be celebrated differently across communities, but one thing remains the same – spending time with loved ones.
For Adrian Patrick Noel Robson, 65, Christmas is synonymous with family reunions.
“Our family includes both Muslims and Christians, so Christmas is a time for us to come together, just like our gatherings for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year,” said the service operation director, who is also known as Adrian Mohd Haris.
Robson added that their Christmas gathering is usually larger, as it falls at the end of the year when most family members are on leave.
“The excitement is especially for the children, particularly during the gift distribution at midnight when one of the elders plays Santa Claus. We also have games and karaoke – those are a must,” he said.
Russian tourist Ekaterina Anatolievna Orlova, 43, shared how Christmas is celebrated in her home country, where Orthodox Christians observe the holiday on Jan 7.
“In Russia, Christmas is a very big holiday celebrated with loved ones, with traditional foods like kutia and baked goods. Our Christmas tree is usually natural and decorated with ornaments passed down through generations, some over 100 years old, belonging to my great-grandparents,” she said.
Orlova, currently on a four-day holiday in Johor Baru, said she plans to explore local attractions such as Desaru and a national park before heading to Kuala Lumpur to ring in the New Year, and return to Russia for Christmas.
Iwama Taku, a 30-year-old Japanese national who has lived in Johor for over 20 years, said this year’s Christmas would be a memorable one aboard a yacht.
“One of my friends is planning to propose to his girlfriend, and my role is to capture the moment on video,” said Taku, who owns a coffee shop.
Originally from Utsunomiya near Tokyo, Taku said celebrating Christmas in tropical Malaysia feels different from back home.
“The best thing about celebrating Christmas in Japan is the winter vibe: snow, beautifully decorated streets, and the festive atmosphere. I really miss that.
“Back home, our celebrations usually involve family gatherings around long dining tables with festive meals, including turkey. In Johor Baru, my Christmas celebrations are usually modest, just a family dinner,” he said.
Meanwhile, a shopper who only wished to be known as Evelyn, from Kuala Lumpur, did some last-minute gift shopping at the Johor Premium Outlet and plans to attend a Christmas party at a friend’s house.
“It’s my first time Christmas shopping in Johor, and I found the prices at the outlet cheaper compared to big malls in Kuala Lumpur,” she said, adding that sports shoes topped her shopping list.
