Christmas in London Vs. Christmas in Singapore

by LittleCloud in Holidays, January 5, 2009

Experience the subtle differences of Christmas in London versus in Singapore.

Norwegian Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square

What I also love about Christmas in London is to be surrounded by many natural Christmas trees instead of artificial ones back in Singapore. Do pardon me for not being too environmentally friendly because these trees are just so delightful. In it’s natural state, these trees create a very relaxing scent of leafy freshness which I am quite addicted to. Looking at these trees remind me of the huge Christmas tree housed at Ngee Ann City, Singapore.

I also caught lots and lots of poinsettia! I finally learn about the name of this Christmas flower. As a child, I’ve always love to draw this bright and red flower on Christmas card but am clueless to the name of this flower.

Borough Market, London is definitely a place not to be missed whether it’s during the Christmas season or not. However, do note that the market is usually opened only on Thursday to Saturday.

Shops are typically closed on Christmas day in London and this holiday is typically unofficially reserved for your family. The big Christmas dinner with your family where the Londoners get together to feast, drink and party! This practice is rather similar to our Lunar New Year reunion dinner in Singapore except that we don’t feast on stuffed turkeys during LNY!

I can still see many book and card stores in London selling Christmas cards. Sending traditional Christmas cards by Londoners appear to be still quite an in thing while I know many of us have long ago migrated to cyber space. For this Christmas, I am swamped by 6 times the number of e-cards as compared to the traditional Christmas cards! By the way, maybe it’s safer to stick to the e-card because the Royal Mail went on strike just this December!

And finally, in a slightly smaller scale (definitely not as grand as the glamorous Christmas lightings and deco along the shopping area of London), here is a school in London giving its students a treat by inviting Santa right to its school compound. The students were so excited to catch a glimpse of the white hair man in the ever familiar red costume that I could hear their screaming and shouting a few streets away!