There is something unique about the festive season, even if you are not Christian and don’t celebrate the religious side of things, there are still plenty of ways you can enjoy this time of year in Hong Kong. Many cultures have their own unique traditions for the Christmas season and these are all fantastic ways of bringing family and friends together. Whatever you love to do at Christmas time and whoever you will be celebrating with, there can be no denying that there is something almost magical about Christmas and the associated traditions. 
Whether you are home for Christmas or will be visiting friends and family overseas there are plenty of things you can do to make sure your Christmas is just as magical as you want it to be. From traditional European celebrations to traditions that are more specific to Hong Kong, you will be able to make the most of this Christmas by drawing inspiration from these fun and festive celebrations. 
Red, gold and green colour schemes
Red and gold hold cultural significance for many in Hong Kong, but they (along with the colour green) are strongly associated with the Christmas season. There is a very good reason for the popularity of these three colours at Christmas time, and they are steeped in rich symbology. Red symbolises the blood of Christ in the Christian faith and as this holiday has its roots in Christian celebration it takes on a strong significance at this time of year. 
If you are familiar with the story of the Nativity, you will know that the Three Wise Men brought the baby Jesus gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold. The gold in festive colour schemes represents the latter gift and brings lots of sparkle to your decor at Christmas. Green is the final colour in most festive colour schemes and its significance dates back to pre-Christian history. It symbolises everlasting life and new beginnings, and is often brought into Christmas celebrations in the form of general decorations.
Trees and foliage
Perhaps the most iconic use of the colour green at Christmas time is when it is used as part of traditional wreaths and the true Christmas icons: Christmas trees. The Christmas tree brings lots of cheer to the festive season and it is often fun for the whole family to get together to add their favourite decorations. Decorate your home with wreaths of holly and a traditional fir tree, or create a more modern look by using foliage from plants that are native to Hong Kong and the surrounding areas. 
Christmas stockings
Many people who grew up in households that celebrate Christmas will have fond memories of hanging a stocking on Christmas Eve, and waking the following morning to find it filled with small gifts. The legend behind the Christmas stocking is that St. Nicholas wanted to help a poor family that had three daughters and so he threw gold coins down the chimney. According to the story, the gold coins ended up landing inside a stocking that was hanging by the fireplace. In place of gold coins, it is traditional to add a small orange or tangerine in place of the precious metal. To this day children all over the world look forward to checking their stockings on Christmas morning. 
Christmas crackers
Inspired by French bonbons, London-based sweetmaker Thomas Smith began selling twists of paper with a sweet inside. He also included a small piece of paper with a motto and a chemical-laced strip that causes the small, signature crackle that we’re all familiar with today. Modern crackers are much larger and often contain a gift rather than a single piece of candy, though you can choose Christmas crackers with pretty much any theme you like. 
Mince pies
Love them or hate them, mince pies are a Christmas staple for many people. In the old days, the ‘mincemeat’ they contained was made from actual sweetened meat rather than fruits and spices. If we look way back, the roots of this tradition can be traced back to Europeans first forays into the Middle East where they first encountered dishes made by combining meat, fruits and spices to create something completely unfamiliar yet delicious. 
Resources:

Hamper HK - Odoo
Christmas Wreaths - Mataroa
Christmas Hampers - The Dots

Traditional Ways to Celebrate the Festive Season

Carver chairs have been around for many years, although the date and founder are often debated. Some believe that carver chairs are named after John Carver, one of the pilgrims who braved the Mayflower voyage that resulted in the colonisation of the Plymouth Colony in the US. The other theory is that carver chairs are named after the head of the household, the person that was in charge of carving the meat, also known as the carver. Either way, this type of chair has a long history and is still very popular in people's homes and other venues.What is a carver chair?A carver chair is a chair that is traditionally much wider than the other chairs of that time; they had three spindles which supported the back of the chair. Their design was very decorative and often included ornamental supports on the chair and chair legs with carved elements. Now carver chairs are often associated with dining chairs that have armrests. They’re bigger and often sturdier than standard dining chairs. Traditionally carver chairs were made from wood; modern-day carver chairs can be either wooden or covered with fabric. Some wooden carver chairs also include a leather cushion for extra comfort.Carver chair useMore traditionally, carver chairs were placed at the head of the table for the man or leader of the household to use after a long hard day's work. The other chairs at the dining table would be armless. The grand chair at the head of the table was a symbol of status and importance. Society has changed significantly over the years, and men are no longer considered more important than women or children. A great diverse range of families has changed this traditional use of carver chairs. These chairs can now be used around the entire dining table or in one or two positions, whatever works best for the household and space available. Benefits of carver chairsCarver dining room chairs have several advantages over other types of chairs. One of the most important benefits is the extra support provided by the arms of the chair. Using the arms of the chair, the elderly or those with mobility issues will have an easier time getting in and out of the chair while simultaneously supporting their arms throughout use. Some people find it very hard to get up out of chairs without additional support and using their arms; a carver chair solves this problem and allows everyone to join in around the dinner table. Carver dining room chairs are often a little larger than other dining chairs; this makes them more suitable for large adults that might struggle with a standard chair. Their large frame and addition of armrests make them more sturdy and durable; a carver chair that has been looked after is likely to last a long time. The appearance of carver chairs is often very traditional; they work well with almost any decoration and are often made to a high-quality standard. Drawbacks of carver chairsThere are some drawbacks to carver chairs, mainly relating to their size. Smaller households with limited space might find it difficult to fit one or several carver chairs around the dining table. The arms on the chairs mean they’re less likely to tuck under a table, so you’ll need more space for them. The broader structure of the chairs also means it can be hard to fit as many adults or children around the dining table without needing to buy a bigger table. When looking at carver chairs, you need to measure the space around your table so there is enough room for each chair to fit comfortably with extra room to move in and out. Some people won’t be able to buy carver chairs if they have limited space or need to fit more children around the table. Some families buy two carver chairs for each end of the table that the adults can use and have bench seating for the children. Bench seating saves space as it can be tucked neatly away when not in use and can fit more children on the seats without needing to buy a longer table. Resources:Indoor Oak Benches - MataroaDining Room Chairs - The DotsLeather Dining Room Chairs - CodaFabric Dining Room Chairs - News.blogOak Bedside Cabinets - MozelloOak Dresser Units - onepage.website

Road Safety Tips for Motorcyclists