our Christmas story

The date was 24 December, 1988.

A young man and woman and their four children, all under ten, checked into the now defunct Marco Polo Hotel at Tanglin Road, Singapore. Orchard Road was bedecked in fairy lights, giant trees and cheery ornaments. Roads were closed for the countdown party; Centrepoint won the best decor award for that year. It was all very exciting for the kids who thought they were on a holiday. Little did they know that things would soon become very different for them. They were about to begin lives in a new land.

And even though we do not celebrate Christmas in the religious context, the day holds a special place in the hearts of everyone. 22 years on and four more additions to the family, our Singapore story simply gets richer by the year.

Like every year, we gathered on the eve of Christmas Day to celebrate and give thanks. To our wonderful parents who had sacrificed and given us so much throughout all these years. To the higher being up there who has taken very good care of us. Truly, we are blessed as a family.

Dolled in a pretty dress given lovingly by Gong Gong and Poh Poh for her first Christmas, this is possibly one of my favourite photo of the evening. Adrienne’s arrival had brought much love, joy and laughter to the family.

Feasting, is of course, mandatory. A good mix of East and West, this year’s spread included citrus rice salad, spaghetti aglio olio, cinnamon infused roasted sweet potatoes, green salad, sliced Champagne ham, Chinese style ribs with herbs and the family all-time party favourite, curry fishballs. Accompanied by generous swigs of ginger ale, root beer, wine and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut Vintage 2002, it was as good as a meal can get.

I ate too much. We all did. And this was way before the cake and ice-cream made their appearances.

The annual great Xmas exchange, for the eleventh year running, has become very much a family tradition. Instead of buying gifts for everyone, which was quite improbable back then for most of us who were still living off pocket money, we devised a “buddy system” where we randomly pick one member and hunt a gift exclusively for him/her.

To this day, the rule remains the same. Only difference is that the initial participants of six has gradually increased to ten. The game can only get merrier. :D

Happy Christmas to one and all!

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