Cassandra and family.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans love a good celebration and, being a multi-cultural State, we are blessed with an abundance of holidays all year round – from Chinese New Year to Kaamatan and all the way to Christmas in December. Celebrations have a way of bringing people together, regardless of colour or creed.
After spending Christmas out of Kota Kinabalu for two years, Cassandra Teh was glad to be home this year. She surprised her parents and six siblings five days before Christmas by flying home from Singapore, where she has worked as a preschool teacher in the last couple of years.
“I personally love spending Christmas here because of my friends and family who surround me. People of various faith, race and religion get together to celebrate with one another.
“I feel that Sabahans are full of spirit and unity. We don’t ask for much but with love, family, friends and homemade food, it is our epitome of happiness,” she said.
Cassandra stood by the saying that “home is where the heart is,” adding that Christmas at home reminded her that there was beauty in simplicity.
Although she was able to spend the last two Christmas celebrations with her family out of Sabah, she said there was nothing like home.
Aside from looking forward to family reunions and gatherings with friends, many also anticipate the Yuletide season for year-end sales.
Children and the general public enjoying the Christmas decorations set up at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall.
Malls begin receiving more patrons than usual up to two weeks prior to Christmas, which has come to be expected at the festive season.
Some may even have to sacrifice their holiday during this period, to cater to the busiest time of the year.
Sasha Baldwin is one of those who had to work on Christmas. However, she did not lament the fact as she said she didn’t need one special day to cherish her loved ones.
“Every day is Christmas if you appreciate your family and friends. If you show them love and gratitude every day, you shouldn’t need one special day in a year to let them know how much they mean to you,” she said.
The 25-year-old told The Borneo Post that she would spend Christmas Eve with family and friends over a barbecue dinner, followed by a gift exchange.
After half a year at Lovisa, Sasha observed Christmas to be the busiest holiday not only because of in-store promotions, but because of the gift exchange trend synonymous with the season of giving.
She said the store generated sales about 40 per cent above expectation during the Christmas period.
Meanwhile, Cotton On clothing store supervisor Christine Justalianus looked forward to having a more laidback holiday and enjoying her day off.
She said she usually spent Christmas with family at church followed by a lunch, and that she preferred a quieter celebration.
Despite that, she said the year-end holiday was the most fun time to work because more staff were at the store and they tried to keep each other entertained with their antics.
“Christmas is definitely the busiest time of the year, especially because the best sale happens around then. But it’s also the most fun time because there are more of us at the store to keep each other company,” she said.