“I love making Christmas magical for my children,” says Linda Shearer with a glow. “Even now that my three daughters are a bit older, it’s still magical for them – full of so many memories. But the way we make memories in Singapore has had to change a bit from the way we did things back in the UK.”
Adding to what they have
For starters, there’s the tree. Back in their home outside of London, they always bought a real tree. Here? The ceiling in their black-and-white house is very high, so a real tree would have felt a bit dinky. That’s why, in their first year here, they bought a 15-foot-tall fake tree at Kinex Mall.
“I really do miss the real tree. We even had a bit of tradition about it. The girls and their dad would head off around the first of December and come back with the tree. I’d always have a moan saying it’s not big enough, not bushy enough. Then, by the time we decorated it, I’d say the tree wasn’t too bad after all.” Linda laughs, saying she even felt the giant fake tree was too small at first, until they decorated it.
Linda brought most of the decorations from home. She has lots of them, too, because every year on the first of December, she gives her girls a tree gift – a special ornament. Look closely at the tree, and you can find sets of three of the same decorations throughout. And since her daughters are older now (India is 18, Imogen 16, and Iris 14), there are plenty of years of tree gifts to decorate the fir, the majority brought with them from London. All the ornaments have memories and the girls know the story of each. Linda’s hope is that they will eventually take their ornaments with them and pass them down to their own children one day.
Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av EL Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av EL Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Save your Spine at Work!
Sitting in an air-conditioned office has its benefits in steamy Singapore. But, long, sedentary days can play havoc on our necks and backs. Here, orthopaedic surgeon DR YILUN HUANG talks about spinal issues faced by office workers, and how to treat and prevent them.
Curry, Spice & Everything Nice
Craving a curry? Whether you're dreaming of a creamy korma or a biryani, the EL team went all in, indulging in everything from buttery parathas to tangy papdi chaat. We explored the best of Singapore's Indian dining scene, and trust us-these spots will spice up your life!
Is It Really Backed Up in the Cloud?
SARAH and BO PINEL of Tekkie Help break it to us that cloud storage is not a data backup. Here's why that's the case and how we can rectify the problem.
Finding Eco-Luxury In Fiji
Here's a destination that's often a little bit off the travel radar for people in our region - but definitely shouldn't be!
Perfect Pearly Whites!
Knowing you have white, sparkling teeth beneath your lips is a sure-fire way to make you smile with confidence. If you've noticed your teeth looking more yellow than \"hello\" lately, perhaps it's time for a visit to a dental clinic for a teeth-whitening session.
Festive Fashion Show!
As the year draws to a close, now's a good time to stock up on festive fashion. White Ginger has released a fab new line just in time for party season. Plus, it's hosting a fun multilabel fashion soiree so you can view the looks with tasty bites and a glass of vino in hand!
48 Hours in Patong
CHERRY LAI checks into the sparkling new M Social Hotel Phuket for a weekender full of food, fun and relaxation.
Ticket to Thailand
Are you physically here but mentally on a beach in Thailand? We've found destinations for two types of holiday-goers: one for someone looking for a place to chill, and another where you can also let loose!
Laying Out Memories Through Food
YASMIN, JESSICA and PEARL are the local co-founders of The Plattering Co. They share their favourite parts of doing business with each other and a few of their hobbies outside work hours.
A Musical Community
The new Pops Chorus and Orchestra at Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) has students, parents, staff and even the Master involved. SIMON BURBURY tells us more - including where you can catch their performances.