Sparklers and confetti enliven the Christmas tree lighting ceremony during the Penang state Christmas celebration at The Top Penang in Komtar. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
CHRISTMAS is days away and Penang’s festive markets are abuzz with holiday crowds.
At these markets, vendors are offering a wide range of seasonal goodies.
Many of them are locally made or hand-crafted and there are some hidden gems to be found.
It is easy to lose track of time browsing for gifts for friends and family, a personal collectible or even decorations for the home, while tucking into a delicious treat or two.
While these markets may not be as grand in scale as those that emerge across Europe this time of year, the atmosphere at Christmas markets here is no less merry – with lights twinkling at every corner, sweet scents wafting around and joyful carols echoing in the background.
More importantly, it allows one to support small local businesses and artisans whose unique creations often stand out from mass-market retail products.
This is the case at the Pop-Up Botanical Christmas Market at the ground floor of Gurney Plaza’s Extension Wing that features a line-up of 38 vendors.
Santa Claus and a T-Rex making an appearance alongside state leaders at The Top Penang in Komtar.
It is organised by Hin Bus Depot, which is well-known for its local-centric Hin Markets. Those on the hunt for last-minute gifts will be spoilt for choice.
Notable offerings include hand-sewn canvas bags and hand-drawn illustrations by founder Peh Jie Wen. There are also hair accessories.
“I do everything from scratch, from drawing the designs to stitching the fabrics.
“It is good to be in a popular mall like this as it allows me to reach a different crowd.
“At craft markets, things are made with time and love. When these are given as gifts, it is more personal and meaningful,” said Peh.
Also drawing much interest were essential oil diffuser stones, made by designer Tan Patrict, which are available in various forms from Christmas trees to snowmen and teddy bears.
According to vendor Lim Ai Nin, Tan paints each piece by hand, so no two are the same.
They are especially popular among Indonesian and Singaporean tourists.
“It is a uniquely Malaysian product which they cannot find back home. We even had one customer who hand-carried a large piece over four flights back to Canada.
“Tan changes his designs according to the festive seasons,” Lim said at the market, which runs until Christmas Day.
Among the visitors last Saturday were local entrepreneur Angeline Chen and her father David, the plant manager of an oil refinery in Medan, Indonesia.
“You can sometimes stumble upon something nice at places like these. And there is a cheerful holiday spirit all around,” said Angeline.
David said he would usually pick up a couple of items each Christmas as mementos of that year.
“I am also quite surprised by how lively things are in Penang. You won’t find such vibrant displays and atmospheres in the shopping centres in Medan,” said David.
Hin Market manager Queen Lee wanted to have a good selection of products so visitors would have many options for festive gifts for children and grown-ups.
“It also provides a chance for shoppers to support homegrown brands, meet the creatives behind them and hear their unique stories,” said Lee.
Lee says vendors are selected to give visitors ample options for gifts as well as the opportunity to support local businesses.
At Straits Quay Retail Marina’s Christmas fair that runs until Jan 1, visitors also have many Christmas-themed items to choose from.
A retailer specialising in chocolates, augments regular offerings with Christmas snow globe lamps.
There are about 120 designs ranging from traditional lantern shapes to whimsical ones like trains, houses and castles.
Inside the lamps are icons such as Santa Claus, snowmen, elves and Christmas trees.
Once powered up by battery or USB charge, snow and glitter circulates inside the snow globe lamp, bringing wintry magic to life.
Co-owner Jaimie Thor said these were getting more popular each year and have become collectors’ items.
“We have regulars who come back to get different designs.
“Christmas is all about bringing cheer to others and these lamps will certainly light up spirits for years to come,” said Thor.
Christmas-themed headbands are popular with those going to themed parties.
Equally popular are the cute Christmas headbands, available in 100 styles. Motifs include everything from reindeer antlers to snowflakes.
Jason Saw, who founded the business together with Justin Tan, said they started off with around 50 types but good demand necessitated new and more creative designs each year.
“The springy ones are among the most popular. The headbands help one get into the spirit of the season,” he said, pointing out that they are fun for festive gatherings and parties.
“We try to keep things reasonably priced and the market response has been good,” said Saw.
Housewife Clarissa Leong, who snapped up a few for her children, said she enjoyed shopping at such markets as offerings differed from those typically available at big retail brands.
“I like to collect artsy things. Walking around, you can also feel the festivity.
“If consumers support such businesses, it will spur them to continue innovating and producing,” she added.
Boon for entrepreneurs
A Christmas market was also among the highlights of the two-day Penang State Christmas Celebration 2023 held at The Top Penang in Komtar.
This featured some 30 vendors, including baker Christy Jade Tai who runs an online store.
Oon and her mother Tai displaying their baked goods.
She put out a selection of cookies, muffins, scones and loaf cakes, all decorated with Christmas-themed toppings and packaging. She changes these embellishments seasonally.
Assisted by her teenage daughter Brigitte Oon, Tai knows the value of such bazaars for smaller entrepreneurs like herself since the opportunity to meet new customers is invaluable.
Another baker, Jenifer Domenick also presented an array of confectioneries including her speciality cheesy pineapple tart, and sugee almond cake.
Domenick arranging an assortment of sweet treats at a Christmas market at The Top in Komtar.
She said it all started as a hobby a decade ago when her family, relatives and friends started placing orders.
Her business is based out of a shoplot in Ayer Itam but festive markets and bazaars helped too.
“They are a good platform to market my products. It is a time of giving and one cannot go wrong with cakes and cookies. Everybody loves them.
“I also enjoy the spirit of community and the joyful atmosphere all around,” said Domenick.
Many visitors were drawn to the little polar bears wrapped in woolly scarves, smiling Santa Clauses, jolly snowmen and snow-covered Christmas trees that lined Peggy Chan’s stall.
While they looked like ornamental figurines at first glance, a closer look and sniff revealed them to be scented candles.
Chan said they were made by her son Geoffrey Chong and his wife.
Chan with scented candles shaped into Christmas-themed characters at the Christmas market at The Top.
Spreading joy to all
This year’s state-level Christmas celebration is themed “Season of Hope” and jointly organised by the Penang Harmony Corporation (Harmonico), the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Penang chapter and The Top Penang.
It featured a series of carolling performances from local groups such as DOA Service Centre and the lighting of a 9m-high Christmas tree.
After a countdown led by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, a burst of sparklers, confetti and artificial snow saw the giant conifer – bedecked in red and gold baubles – “come to life”.
Organising chairman pastor Liew Yean Huat said this was the first time the event was held as an attraction, as previous editions had all been held in churches or at the Esplanade area.
“We wanted it to also generate economic value for the state.
“The celebrations are a reflection of the cultural diversity of our society, and to be held in an open space like this is testament to the tolerance and respect Penang folk have for each other.
“Despite coming from different backgrounds, we are all Malaysians,” said Liew.
Chow described the celebration as one of the most important events in Penang’s calendar, as it promoted a spirit of harmony.
Visitors checking out the essential oil diffuser stones at Gurney Plaza.
“This year’s theme underscores the importance of the concept of hope, for humanity. Because Christmas is a season when we spread goodwill.
“While we all have different ways of celebrating, be it exchanging gifts, decorating homes, visiting relatives or even going to open houses, the festivities foster understanding and mutual respect.
“The year-end holidays is a time everyone looks forward to as it brings us to the dawn of a new year and new beginnings,” he said in his speech.
He said the state had recorded investments totalling RM44.9bil by the end of last September, which was the second highest total in Malaysia.
“We will continue to work hard to attract foreign and local investments for the continued betterment of Penang and create more economic opportunities for everyone,” Chow added.
State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim urged Penang folk to embrace the spirit of the season and be charitable.
“Let us take this opportunity to bring hope to the community by giving,” she said, commending several corporate sponsors who collectively contributed RM20,000 to four organisations.
The Little Sisters of the Poor, Persatuan Penyayang Warga Tua Pulau Pinang, Crystal Family Home Care Centre, and Children’s Protection Society Penang each received RM5,000.
“I hope the charitable deeds won’t end here because social welfare requires the concerted and continued efforts of all layers of society.
“Even if our individual contributions aren’t much, it can bring a big positive impact to the recipients,” said Lim.
Also present were Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee, Only World Group chief executive officer and founder Tan Sri Richard Koh, CFM Penang chapter chairman Arokiadass Anthonysamy and Council of Churches of Malaysia northern region coordinator pastor Shearn Sya.
