Bringing you all the best for the holiday season, shopping, festive dining, relaxation and a little bit of Christmas magic.
Shop Talk
Moving on up
Bumps to Babes has a fabulous new home in Central! The new store, located at 13/F Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road Central, offers an even bigger space stocking all your favourite maternity, new baby and children’s ranges (from birth to 8 years) from around the world. There are new baby essentials; baby equipment and nursery furniture; pushchairs; car seats; infant formula; baby and toddler food; baby and children’s swimwear and clothing; together with children’s furniture and thousands of toys along with bikes, scooters and ride-ons from leading brands at competitive prices.
The new location offers a mother & baby feeding/changing room and is open seven days a week Mon–Sat 10am–7pm / Sun & PH 11am–6pm.
Make it personal
Toys R Us has introduced a new Personali-Station at its TST store for this festive season. The Personali-Station lets shoppers print their chosen name and character on a wide selection of gifts such as key chain, mugs, door signs etc. Participating brands include Mr Potato Head, Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Monopoly, Transformers, Hello Kitty, Tsum Tsum and more.
What a Feast!
A Cracking Time
Enter the magical world of The Nutcracker at The Langham, Hong Kong this month with Nutcracker soldiers, pink ballerinas and brightly lit Christmas trees on full display, as well as a selection of sweet and savoury specialities and themed menus in each of the dining outlets of the hotel. Our favourite is the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court lounge. Executive Pastry Chef Matthieu Godard introduces a land of indulgence by portraying the story into bite-sized treats. www.langhamhotels.com
FestiviTEA
With storytelling and balloon-twisting to keep little guests entertained – not to mention a small, surprise gift before they leave – kids will love this special Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Hong Kong’s, The Verandah. Available on 3, 4, 10, 11,
17 and 18th December at a cost of $358 per person.
http://hongkong.peninsula.com
Sunday Funday
Hong Kong’s premier Argentinian restaurant Gaucho has devised the perfect way to relax on Sundays with their bottomless brunch concept featuring an unlimited supply of dishes and Veuve Clicquot champagne, and a crèche for the kids. Items on the menu include Steak & Eggs, the Choripan Sandwich, Smashed Avocado on Toast, Granola Yoghurt, Blueberry Honey Pancakes, and traditional breakfast classics such as the Eggs Benedict, Florentine, Royale. Kids menu and tablets are also available upon request. $600 free-flow, $100 kids, Every Sunday from 11am-4pm
Megabites
Booking a table at one of Hong Kong’s top restaurants just got a whole lot easier thanks to OKiBook. The new online restaurant-booking site allows users to search restaurants by location, cuisine type or discount (many restaurants offer a discount when you reserve via OKiBook). Each featured restaurant has an information section, which includes menu highlights and customer reviews (although, being a new site these are currently thin on the ground). We love the special promotions and seasonal menu (including festive menus) section. www.okibook.com
Festive Fun!
Santa Express
The Arcade in Cyberport will be transformed into a station of dreams this holiday season. Just sit tight at the front of the “Snowy Adventureland” train, put on your virtual reality goggles and you’ll soon be crossing snowy peaks and forests to reach Santa’s Village in Finland. Meet and greet St. Nick and his reindeers in the snowy surroundings, complete with the Northern Lights dancing above in the night skies. The second train cart features a simulated curling competition and also a Christmas tree that you can illuminate by peddling the electricity-making bicycle. On the 17th and 18th December, The Arcade will play host to the Christmas Snow Market, complete with snow. https://www.facebook.com/arcade.cyberport/
Christmas Break
Christmas is such a busy time, so how about a break from everything with a staycation at the Hyatt Regency Shatin. Their one night stay and spa package starts from just HK$2,371 per night and includes a buffet breakfast for two persons and one of the following offers at Melo Spa: Melo Spa $800 spending credit; or one 60-minute Elemis Dynamic resurfacing precision peel facial therapy (valued at $1,280); or one 60-minute De-stress aromatherapy massage (valued at $1,000).
Thomas & Friends: Read & Play
This recently launched app offers a library of interactive read-to-me audio eBooks, Thomas videos, and educational activities created to provide fun learning experiences for your little ones. The app offers a completely kid-friendly and AD-FREE environment for any Apple device. There are no worries about your little one clicking on random YouTube ads. The app also provides an iPad-supported creative drawing tool, along with fun Thomas & Friends stickers for paperless doodling whenever and wherever. And if you are still wondering how to keep your little ones entertained during the flight home for the holidays, just download the app now and enjoy the magic of Thomas & Friends! https://tfrp.app.link/playnow
Intensive Xmas Revision Courses
Tute.HK offer tailor-made online revision courses for English, Maths, Sciences and Languages with experienced and motivational real-time tutors. Choose six 50-minute lessons, between 15 December 2016 and 5 January 2017, and pay only $2,850. For more details, visit www.tute.hk or contact 3166 5988.
New Year Fun
Of Gruffalos, Ladybirds and other Beasts
ABA Productions present Gruffalos, Ladybirds and Other Beasts starring Julia Donaldson herself! Watch as her famous children’s books, such as The Gruffalo and What the Ladybird Heard, come to life on stage. Don’t miss it at Kidsfest on 11th to 17th January 2017 the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre at the HKAPA. For more details visit http://www.kidsfest.com.hk/shows/2017/show8.asp
Playtimes HK is giving away a family set of four tickets to the the 11th January opening show. Visit www.playtimes.com.hk/giveaway before 05 January for a chance to win!
What a Cracker!
Nothing says Christmas quite like The Nutcracker, so how about dressing your table with these stylish Nutcracker partyware accessories? We particularly love the crackers. Prices range from $35 for the cups, to $155 for the Christmas cracker kit. Available from www.eezypeezyparties.com
Seasons Greetings
Many of us think of sending personalised greeting cards, but time just seems to run away and those best-laid plans don’t quite pan out. Fotomax can help with its quick and easy personalised Christmas card and calendar service. Printing takes just five days and the process is painless. Simply visit the website for a step by step guide, or visit your local Fotomax shop. www.fotomax.com
Exclusive Online Offers for Playtimes readers
20% Off at Amaranthine Blooms
Amaranthine Blooms are offering 20 percent discount to Playtimes readers on all full-price flowers between now and 31st January. Quote Playtimes20 when placing your order. Orders can be placed through the website www.amaranthineblooms.com.
Maggie & Rose HK
Private members club, Maggie & Rose in Repulse Bay, has lined up a very special Christmas for members, their guests and – subject to availability – Playtimes readers. On 10 December, enroll your 3+ age old kids in their School of Elf , where they will go through a series of training games and activities in the Elf Workshop before taking a break for a drink and snack in preparation to graduate and meet Santa. From 11am to 1pm, or 3pm to 5pm, $380 per child.
You can also have a “Snow-tacular Christmas Day” at Maggie & Rose between 3.30 and 7pm on 25th December, at their Stuffed Session, with a welcome drink, minced pies, Christmas classics disco party, School of Elf booth activities, snow zone on the roof, face painting and Santa Claus will be paying a visit too.
If interested, mailto: [email protected] and quote … PlaytimesElf.
