Well, January 4 is not an early exit for Christmas. Usually by January 2 each year the city loses the Christmas lustre and dons the Lunar New Year style. The changeover includes street and shop embellishments, lighting and music.
But this year, Christmas decorations started being replaced by Chinese New Year crafts, blossoms, plants and trimmings as early as on December 27. At my office, the Christmas Tree was taken out on December 27 (the first working day after Christmas) and Lunar New Year ornamentation was in.
So was the scene in many shops and malls around Singapore though the Orchard Road Christmas glitter was intact on January 2.
This is partly because the Chinese New Year this time comes early – on January 23. This year is extra special as it is the Year of the Dragon.
It is only a new makeover as the festive mood will continue to linger and lift our spirits up.
G Joslin Vethakumar
