Singapore Settee

Singapore Christmas Decorations - nothing new

Over the weekend, I was with a group of tourists (a total of three families) and we spent the day in Orchard area. They decide to take in the sights of Christmas decorations that abound at this time of the year in Singapore. Within a short time, they were disappointed and decided to return to their hotel rooms.

Inside Ngee Ann City, there was a huge tall Christmas tree. But the tree is the same feature for Ngee Ann for the past many years. Is there nothing else that the shopping mall can offer? I tried to think how long that tree has been shown and I actually forgot when it was first put up. I remember seeing that tree some time in the late 1990's.

At Tanglin Mall, the group saw the 'snow' machine and the tree with the 12 days of Christmas decorations. Again, this is not something new. The same equipment blowing soap bubbles has been around for more than five years. And it is the same every year. It looks like more places are hopping onto this scene - I hear Faber Hill is suppose to come alive with snow as well.

We decided to head to Raffles City and found the same Christmas tree that was seen for the past seven years outside facing North Bridge Road. While some decorations have change, it is cosmetic in nature. The same tree is setup and only the trimmings are different from yester-years.

By now, the entire group felt there is nothing new in Singapore. And looking at the various products and stores in some of the shopping malls, there is nothing new as well. Many stores have not changed their layout or merchandise. Once they have bought something some time ago, there is nothing Singapore offers the group I was with.

The above is a real surprise to me. I have not been visiting Orchard Road for a while as I tend to prefer other places outside of Orchard due to both parking and ERP charges. If this is the best Singapore can do, then I am afraid we are going to lose our credibility as a shopping paradise much faster.

posted by JHG J Chang @ 12:44 pm