Santa Clauses invade the city

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.