•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   

Christmas is around the corner and malls everywhere are getting into the holiday spirit. Check out some of the best that Jakarta has to offer.

Pluit Village

Pluit Village has a “Christmas Playground” theme. This mall has the only children’s carousel [for christmas] in town — it features a flying boat and a pool full of plastic balls to wade into — admission is Rp 10,000 ($1).

A Santa Claus sits on a wooden red sleigh in front of a large fireplace. Photos with Santa cost Rp 50,000 and will be available until Dec. 25. There is also a “Breakfast with Santa for the kids scheduled for Dec. 5.

Here, the e m phasis is on putting the visitor first. The customer can expect free gift wrapping and if you spend more than Rp 100,000, a chance at a lottery for free gifts. There will also be choir performances and late night shopping.

Grand Indonesia

Grand Indonesia has gone for a “Glitz and Glam” theme in their east lobby. They have a large Disney castle covered in twinkling blue lights. Their main attractions are a princess pageant, a prince and princess makeover, and a princess academy session run by Snow White, Cinderella and Belle.

If you spend over Rp 350,000 at the Disney Store you can get a free picture with either Princess Jasmine or your favorite Disney princess. Photo sessions run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Andrea Ikeyda, one of the workers at the display, said: “We bring in real actors and actresses from America and Russia. Some of the people who play these characters are the same people who play them at Disneyland in the US.”

The display runs until Jan. 3.

Taman Anggrek

In our opinion, this mall topped the lot.

The main attractions include “Santa’s shoe house,” falling snow and an animated musical teddy bear Christmas scene with teddy bears playing on log swings, popping out of presents and hanging up candy canes.

There is great atmosphere here, and the display is very busy. There are lots of snow-topped stalls surrounding the attractions, and the whole scene is reminiscent of a traditional German market. Santa’s shoe house is shaped like a big red elf’s shoe, decorated with stockings, teddy bears, a Christmas tree and Santa sitting in an old wooden rocking chair.

The mall is also organizing different activities in the run-up to Christmas, ranging from choir music to traditional Indian holiday music.

Nuriyah Azizah, 14, said: “We have visited other malls but this one has the best decorations.”

Another visitor, Kiki Amelia, 14, added: “This is so creative, and they have snowfall — the place looks beautiful.”

The display is up until Jan. 3, with falling snow every day at 12.30 p.m., 2.00 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 6.00 p.m., and 8.00 p.m. Photos with Santa cost Rp 125,000 and include a free teddy bear pouch. Additionally, the teddy bears on display are available for purchase after Jan. 3.

Plaza Indonesia

The mall is well decorated, but there are no real attractions to visit at Plaza Indonesia. Scattered across the mall you will find sequined mannequins wearing baubles, lots of star lights and Christmas garlands. They have a large, silver tree that reaches up to the second floor, surrounded by presents at its base.

It is a tasteful Christmas scene, but there is nothing to entertain the kids here.

Plaza Senayan

Plaza Senayan has the most traditional Christmas decorations with its theme of a snowy Christmas.

There is a large tree decorated with blue and white twinkling lights. Surrounding the tree are about 40 smaller trees, all covered with snow. Santa was sitting in a sleigh which can be reached by walking through a snow covered garden. In a break with tradition, Santa’s sleigh is pulled by a white-winged unicorn instead of reindeer.

You can have your picture taken with Santa for Rp 75,000 and the attraction runs until Dec. 25. Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also write a Christmas message to add to the Christmas tree.

Eva Gunawan, a long term Jakarta resident, originally from the Czech Republic, brought her son to the mall. “This is very good. I have never seen something like this before. I just went to Taman Anggrek. Their attraction is bigger, but this is more beautiful,” she said.

Senayan City

There is a “Lego Christmas” theme at Senayan City this year. The main attraction is a full-sized Lego Christmas tree complete with Lego candles, candy canes, Christmas presents, snowmen and topped with a gold Lego star. At 7 meters high, it is the biggest Lego Christmas tree in Asia and contains approximately 800,000 bricks. It took three months to build.

A Lego play area provided to entertain children has proven popular.

Mawada Alham, 4, said: “I like it here. I can create mountains, houses and high towers.”

Alham’s grandmother, Hj. Nining, said the place was her granddaughter’s favorite mall “because the kids can play with the toys.” She added, “I am Muslim, but I don’t mind celebrating Christmas like this.”

The Lego display runs until Jan. 10. See www.bricksindonesia.com for more information.

Pacific Place

It might not be the most traditional Christmas display, but Pacific Place’s SpongeBob Christmas theme is definitely original. There are neon Christmas sharks, and dolphins hanging from the ceiling of a fanciful display taken from the popular kid’s program.

SpongeBob’s home has been transformed into a Christmas grotto. Patrick Star, a sea star, is dressed as Santa Claus and SpongeBob is dressed as Santa’s little helper. SpongeBob’s own renditions of Christmas songs are played for the crowds. Children can have their pictures taken with Santa free of charge. Opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Santa,” ageless, said: “People love it here, they have been taking pictures since December 1. There is no competition or animosity between S pongeBob and myself — we both need each other.”