23 November, 2011
Christmas, Home & Decor

Christmas Decorating: Deck Your Halls Girls!

23 November, 2011

Christmas Trees
The essential to top all essentials, what would Christmas be without a tree? Whether you’re after a real one, dropped needles and all (and yes they DO exist in Hong Kong!), or an artificial one that you can recycle for years to come, here are all the best places to hit up.

Prince Edward Flower Market
Follow the signs to the Flower Market from Prince Edward MTR and you can’t go wrong! This stretch of road is home to tonnes of fresh flower and plant sellers, including a few bigger gardening shops too, who should be happy to arrange home delivery – and prices are likely to be much more reasonable here than on the Island.

P&F Garden
50 Shui Choi Tin Village, Victoria Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, 2812 0948
We’ve heard loads of tip-offs for nurseries selling Christmas trees, but unless you have an exact address and time to spare, finding them (especially without a car) can be tricky. Well, here’s one specific for you – P&F Garden, a local nursery who have many years experience in the gardening game. They’re selling Christmas trees and poinsettias; for further details, give them a call or ask on their website here.

Chun Hing Garden
Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, 2572 6430

…And here’s another! Chun Hing Garden is another family-run business with over 20 years experience; this year, they have Noble Firs, Douglas Firs and Fraser Firs all imported from the US. They also have a nice range of other seasonal decorations, including poinsettias and wreathes and can arrange home delivery; check out their entire range here.

Anglo Chinese Florist
1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 2921 2986

With over sixty years experience, Anglo Chinese Florists have become one of the most trusted and reliable plant suppliers in Hong Kong. This year, they’re selling a range of Douglas and Noble Firs from the US ($700-3270 dependent on size, between 3 and 10 feet), plus poinsettias and table decorations and arrangements (both real and silk). Check out all their store locations, plus details for ordering your tree, here.

It’s also worth remembering that many local florists and nurseries will be arranging special orders for Christmas trees – we’ve already seen a few in Wan Chai and on Hiram’s Highway leading up to Sai Kung (KK Horticulture, 2792 7440 and Greenhouse Nursery, 2573 3627, to name a few) plus Stanley Flower Shop in Stanley Market (2813 0624). So always enquire individually… and you’ll never know if you don’t ask!

Ikea
Causeway Bay, Megabox, Sha Tin

Ahhhh… trusty Ikea. Expect to see plenty more of the Swedish giant on this list, as they’re just fantastic for providing everything you need around the house – and much more! – in great designs and at reasonable prices. The order cut-off date for their real trees, all grown in sustainable eco-environments, is December 14; choose from either a 3’ American Noble Fir ($399) or a Scandinavian Fir (4’-5’ $529, 6’ $599). They should also be offering some artificial trees in-store.

Magzila.com
This HK-based e-tailer has a good range of artificial trees – from the cheap, cute and cheerful (only $40 for their 1.5’ baby ones) to six-foot snow-topped giants (around $500), plus fairy lights, baubles and window stickers to go alongside them! Delivery is free for purchases over $500 or if you pick up your order from their office in Wah Shing Centre, Kwun Tong – see full address and more details here.

Japan Home Centre
All over Hong Kong!
One of HK’s best-kept secrets for all your homeware at el cheapo prices, Japan Home Centre usually have some artificial Christmas trees perfectly suited for HK’s small apartments around this time of year. Check out bigger stores if your little local one doesn’t stock any – see the full list of locations here.

Toys R Us
All over Hong Kong!
Hiding amongst the aisles of brightly-coloured toys and games, Toys R Us actually has a nice range of artificial trees – from tiny little tinsel ones (around $50) to bigger, more realistic trees (up to around $500). They also do some really fun Disney piñatas (perfect for Christmas parties – come on, not even adults can resist smashing one up for sweets!), Santa hats and stockings, in designs exclusive to Toys R Us only. See the full list of stores here.

City’super
Various locations including Times Square, Harbour City, IFC (see full list here)
City’super’s range of artificial trees is fantastic, covering everything from the classic to the trendy and everything in-between. The bonus? Most of them come with matching ornaments included (for around $980) – cutting out half your shopping to save you time for buying more presents! They also do a range of fibre optic trees (4’ $980, 5’ $1380), which light up without the need for fairy lights, whilst an artificial Swedish Tree sans decorations comes in sizes from 4 foot up to a whopping 9 foot ($380-1980)! Good luck finding a ceiling that high!

Decorations, wrapping paper and everything else!
There won’t be much festive cheer if all you have is a tree – it’s all the little details that will turn your place from average apartment into winter wonderland!

Indigo Living
216-218 Prince’s Building, Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2523 5561
When searching for suggestions for this article, there were so many mentions of Indigo, a HK interiors favourite since 1979, that we knew they must be doing something right! One look at their classy and chic range of Christmas decorations ($79 upwards) should be enough to convince you – and with their help, you’re bound to have one of the most stylish trees on the block! If you have time to spare, check out their flagship store at Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau too, whilst they’re also happy to arrange home delivery – get more details, including all their locations, here.

Tequila Kola
228 Prince’s Building, Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2520 1611
Tequila Kola has become another HK lifestyle favourite, with a great range of modern decorations that are certain to get your house into the Christmas spirit. Whether you want to stay traditional with your table settings, with deep reds and shimmering silvers, or go contemporary, with bright bold turquoise and icy blue, they’ll have everything necessary to create a cohesive and Christmassy colour scheme! They also have a huge flagship store in Horizon Plaza, so why not you can make a day of it (they have a Sift cupcakes there too, hint hint)! See all Tequila Kola locations here.

Pacific Petals
Researching this article, we quickly discovered how hard it can be to find Christmas decorations that are classy rather than cheesy and chintzy. However, Pacific Petals is a very notable exception and they are doing a range of gorgeous Christmas centrepieces and lush fresh wreathes. We love the Berries & Spice Wreath ($990) and Candlelit Christmas Centrepiece ($890) for more traditional takes on the festive season, whilst the more contemporary One Turtle Dove ornamental birdcage ($390) is also lovely.

Francfranc
Causeway Bay, Festival Walk, K11 (see full addresses here)

If you fancy bringing some chic and clean Japanese style into your home for the festive season, look no further than Francfranc, who do an extensive range of inexpensive but charming decorations (from $40) in their trademark minimalist style. Expect beautiful baubles, classy candles and cute funky mini Christmas trees, mostly in their festive colours of choice – glimmering gold, red, silver and white.

General Store
41 Gage Street, Shop H, Central, 2851 8144
Have yourself a vintage little Christmas with hot new vintage shop General Store’s, range of beautiful silver and glass garlands and ornaments!

The Stalwarts – Ikea, Marks & Spencer, City’super
All over town!
These are our three fail-safe options for shopping in general in HK and, as usual, they’ve got some great quality but reasonably priced items for the festive season too. Marks & Spencer is fantastic for big rolls of stunning wrapping paper that should keep you going until NEXT Christmas – not just the never-big-enough one-sheeters that most stationery shops here specialise in. Ikea also has bumper rolls of chic wrapping paper, plus cool Christmas decorations in their quirky Scandinavian designs. Meanwhile, City’super has completely taken over Times Square’s basement with a huge section dedicated to all things Christmassy – ornaments, stockings, wreathes, decorations and pretty much everything else you can think of, they’ve got it all!

Jusco Living Plaza
Everywhere!
Just in case this name isn’t ringing a bell, this is the shop formerly known as Jusco $10 Store, which in turn is known everywhere else in the world as Daiso! Now more like the 12-ish dollar store, this is still phenomenally cheap stuff that definitely rates more expensive than it looks (must be the great Japanese design!). In my experience, they’re fantastic for buying rolls of sparkly shiny wrapping paper and other packaging paraphernalia (gift boxes, ribbons, craft scissors etc), whilst they should also have some fun Christmas decorations and ornaments ready for approaching the big day itself! See the full list of stores here.

DIY it!
If you want unique decorations with a personal touch, how about DIY-ing your décor?! The go-to place is Sham Shui Po, which has plenty of awesome craft supplies (check out our article here); if that’s too much of a trek, head to your local wet market, where you should be able to find a few fabric and haberdashery stalls selling ribbons, lace and so on, at bargain basement prices. For other cheap crafty bits and bobs, Jusco Living Plaza is fantastic (see above!). Get inspiration from the Internet (just Google DIY Christmas decorations and marvel at the results!) or, if you prefer to work from a book, try Kirstie Allsop’s Homemade Home for plenty of cosy and cute tips.

Lane Crawford Home & Lifestyle Level One, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2118 3668
If you are looking the artiest decorations from the most renowned brands and designers, then Lane Crawford is the way to go. Their dedicated Home & Lifestyle flagship in Pacific Place is probably your best bet, although all store should have some Yuletide items available – and perhaps you’ll even be inspired by CONFETTISYSTEM’s hand-made festive fringing, foiling and fluttering decorations in-store!

Markets
For cheap and cheerful decorations that might not last much longer than the twelve days of Christmas themselves but at that price who cares, hit up your local markets – we suggest Wan Chai, North Point, Mong Kok Ladies Market, Price Edward, Sham Shui Po, Jordan or even the small stretches of stalls in Central as potential hunting grounds for wreathes, stockings, tinsels and other inexpensive ornaments. A few shops dedicated solely to Xmas goods usually pop up on Lyndhurst Terrace and Wellington Street in Central and on Queen’s Road in Wan Chai too. Just remember, Central or Causeway Bay will never be your cheapest ports of call, Island East is generally cheaper than Island West and Kowloon and the New Territories should be the cheapest of them all!

Christmas fairs
Get all your Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop at any of the city’s holiday fairs and bazaars. There are too many to list here… but you’re in luck! We’ve already made a bumper guide to all this year’s festive fairs – check it out here.

We know how it is in HK – no space, no time, no money (especially once you’ve bought all those Christmas presents)! Never fear Christmas fans, you’ve entered Yuletide nirvana here in the 852… so go admire someone else’s handiwork instead and grab photos galore at some of the fantastic Christmas decoration displays around the city. Here are a few of our suggestions!


Toy To The World

Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
, Hong Kong
Who can resist Toy Story? Well, we can’t, that’s for sure! There is a Christmas tree made up of little green aliens – need we say more?! (above)

A Holiday Of Tiffany Treasures
Statue Square, Central, Hong Kong

Hoping for a little blue box under the tree this Christmas? Well, even if Santa doesn’t make all your wishes come true, you can still get your fill of Tiffany’s sparkling treasures with their specially decorated tree and carousel. Will it top last year’s Swavorski crystal number? Well there’s only one way to find out!

Tokyo Midtown’s Starlight Garden
New Town Plaza, Sha Tin
, Hong Kong
An amazing Christmas Illumination show, featuring 100,000 twinkling blue and white lights to create an out-of-this-world starry sky. Stunning!

Barbie’s Christmas Party
Times Square, Causeway Bay
, Hong Kong
Fulfil all your pink and girlie fantasies with this quirky kitsch display – with decorations made from lipsticks, handbags and the doll herself!

Star Ferry
Tsim Sha Tsui to Central/Wan Chai

For the best view of all the Christmas illuminations that light up HK’s skyline and cityscape, take a quick trip on the Star Ferry for some amazing Xmas snaps.

Consider your halls well and truly decked!

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