Santa Clauses invade the city
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Jakarta may never see a "white Christmas" but that fact has never stopped Santa Claus from coming to town.
In fact, Santa seems to be everywhere in the city this December -- at least in Jakarta's shopping malls -- and he has come earlier to let children whisper their Christmas wishes and for parents make a fuss over photographs.
"Lia ... Lia ... come, look at the camera ... smile honey," a mother coaxed her four-year-old daughter as she squirmed on Santa's lap before bursting to tears in Plaza Senayan, South Jakarta.
The mall, presenting a "Christmas in Wonderland" theme for this year's Yuletide celebrations, is resplendent with laughing Santa decorations and a Santa House complete with snow, Christmas trees and snowmen in the mall's function area.
Those who come for Christmas shopping will appreciate the sale programs that some of Plaza Senayan's tenants have on offer this month, including at footwear store Everbest, jewelry store Empress Jewelry, Essential Bed & Bath, and Shanghai Tang.
Photo sessions with Santa Claus will be available until Dec. 25, and on Dec. 17 a special Christmas concert will be held for shoppers. Harpist Heidy Awuy will also give a performance on Dec. 18.
Santa Claus will also regale shoppers at Plaza Indonesia in Central Jakarta with his presence on Dec. 18 from 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. to 6 pm., while Christmas carols will entertain shoppers from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the same day.
Meanwhile, a 21-meter-high Christmas tree is the centerpiece at Mal Taman Anggrek shopping mall, who are using the theme "Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!" this year.
Opting for a green Christmas, the theme incorporates both the spirit of Christmas and Nickelodeon's Latina character, Dora the Explorer.
"The ambience and decoration in the center atrium adopted the Dora Sing-along Fiesta color theme and concept," Taman Anggrek's public relations and communications executive Yunny Christine said.
Until Dec. 25 children can have their pictures taken with Dora, and take part in sand and fabric art and ball pit activities.
Santa Claus, on the other hand, will be doing overtime and will be available for photographs until Dec. 26.
Christmas carols and choir performances from the Nathania Ministry Choir, London School, Kids to Success, Idear Pre-school, Tunas Bangsa School, and the Salvation Army, will also be held for shoppers during the event.
"Taman Anggrek wants customers to experience the Christmas joy, and for children especially to enjoy our Dora sing-along fiesta," Yunny said.