KUALA LUMPUR - The festive cheer of Christmas is building up as major shopping malls here are adorned with vibrant decorations and holiday spirit.
People from all walks of life, including foreign tourists, are taking the opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere ahead of the celebration on Dec 25, with many also doing last-minute preparations.
A survey by Bernama at three shopping malls found bustling crowds of visitors taking advantage of year-end promotions while some posed for photos with the seasonal decorations.
Christane Jane, 35, spotted at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, said she was only able to make last-minute preparations due to her busy work schedule.
"I have been working the whole week and finally got some time to get most items for cooking next Wednesday, as I will be hosting two dinners this year," she told Bernama.
Similarly, Rosemary Kutty, 60, met at The Exchange TRX, expressed her excitement about celebrating Christmas this year with her siblings after years of being apart.
"After our parents passed away, we no longer had Christmas dinners together and were separated by distance. But this year, my siblings are flying over to Malaysia to celebrate together," she said.
Meanwhile, a European tourist, Liesa, 23, visiting with her parents, commented on the festive atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur, describing it as more vibrant compared to London.
"I like the ambiance here in Malaysia. It is very festive and decorative, compared to London. This is even nicer," she said at the Pavilion Shopping Mall.
An Indian tourist, Jagadish Pande, 38, visiting with his wife and son, shared his experience of celebrating the festive season in the capital city.
"We took the opportunity this weekend to explore Kuala Lumpur and bring our son to Aquaria and have a fun time," he said at Suria KLCC.
Meanwhile, Masrifah Masrodin, 43, a teacher at Sekolah Rendah Agama Selayang Baru, was seen taking advantage of the school holidays to organise a trip for 80 students and seven other teachers to various attractions in Kuala Lumpur.
"Every year, we organise excursions like this, and today we brought the students to Aquaria, a chocolate factory, and the National Museum," she said. - BERNAMA