Just the other night, I took a stroll along Orchard Road to soak in the Christmas vibes. We may still be a few weeks away from Christmas, but the commercial establishments have already started decorating the streets and their shopping malls, showcasing their creativity through their designs. While other areas in the city also decorate their malls, I believe Orchard Road still stands out as the most luxurious when it comes to this festive event.
So, right after logging off from work, I decided to head to the city to check out what they had set up. My timing was perfect because the rain had just stopped, and I made sure not to waste the opportunity.
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My stroll started at Orchard Gateway and went all the way to ION Orchard—a walk that usually takes about 15 minutes. However, it took me nearly an hour because I was exploring the area and taking plenty of photos along the way. I feel most productive when I do activities like this because I get to practice my photography and enjoy some exercise at the same time. Walking is such a great way to de-stress and burn off some extra calories!
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It seems that this mall didn’t allocate much budget for their decorations, as the designs are mostly quite basic. I recall that it was similar last year, with a fairly simple setup as well. Even so, the decorations they’ve displayed still add nicely to the holiday vibes.
I also went inside the mall to check out the ongoing bazaars. What’s great about these bazaars is that they provide a platform for small businesses to showcase their products to mall-goers, who could become potential customers.
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One of the most interesting displays inside this mall is a tall statue of a lady reaching all the way to the ceiling of the 3rd level! 😄 It's definitely one of the catchy features of this mall.
From there, I moved on to the next shopping mall, 313 Somerset. Among the malls along Orchard Road, this one seemed to be the least decorated. As I entered, all I saw was a simple tree in the center. I didn’t stay long and quickly moved on to another establishment.
From there, I continued walking down Orchard Road until I reached the Mandarin Gallery. Their decorations stood out for their uniqueness, as they used dichroic techniques to create a distinctive color effect for their Christmas theme. I think they did a great job showcasing creativity with this approach.
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I noticed that the area in front of this mall was also decorated with hanging lights on the trees. I think this is a nice touch to the surroundings, adding a warm and festive ambiance to the area.
From there, I headed straight to Takashimaya because I heard they were hosting a Christmas Village. Surprisingly, this year, entry to the village is free, which is quite different from previous years.
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They have one of the tallest Christmas trees in the area. I’m impressed by the amount of effort they put into making this Christmas Village happen. I just hope the weather improves so visitors can have a better experience when they come to enjoy this place.
From there, I headed to the last spot I needed to visit: ION Orchard mall. To be honest, one might expect more from this shopping mall. It houses some of the most luxurious brands, so naturally, they have the budget to splurge on their Christmas decorations.
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The building itself is made up of LED panels that form a spherical-shaped light show. One of the most creative decorations featuring the North Star is on the ground. It’s huge and made of optical fibers, which is likely why it appears glowing.
In the end, it’s clear that Orchard Road truly embraces the festive spirit, with each mall offering its own unique take on Christmas decorations. While some may have kept it simple, others went all out, creating magical displays that added to the holiday atmosphere. It’s always a joy to explore these seasonal sights, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the city celebrates in the coming weeks!
