This is my version of the “belen” or nativity seen. Obviously because it’s a predominantly Muslim country, there are no Baby Jesus figures available here, no nativity scenes… only Santas and snowmen LOL!

Gold beads (Rp 65,000) from CHIC MART. Kalingga Home Gallery Sheep or domba Putih (Small Rp 25,000, Medium Rp 35,000, Large Rp 45,000) from CHIC MART. Gold Christmas trees made with Lansones peelings dipped in gold paint and glitters TESOROS, NAIA 3. Solid teak tray with white pebbles from DUNIA, YOGYAKARTA.

Gold wreath (Rp 45,000 at 20% off) and magnolia candle from VINOTI LIVING.  Small solid teak “tray” from DUNIA, YOGYAKARTA.

Flower bouquets, Gold wreath (Rp 45,000 at 20% off), magnolia candle from VINOTI LIVING.  Pottery and small solid teak tray with white pebbles from DUNIA, YOGYAKARTA.

Wreath (Rp 175,000) from ground floor stall in ITC MALL, MANGGA DUA. It was 50% off from Rp 350,000 which is a steal considering the other wreaths I’ve seen in GRANDLUCKY SUPERSTORE, etc. are Rp 800,000.

OUR LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE

I bought 3 meters of gold cloth (Rp 15,000 per meter) from MAJESTIC TRADITIONAL PASAR/MARKET and swaddled it around the base of the tree instead of an expensive tree skirt.

Our starter christmas decor set from DEBENHAMS which I got on sale for less than Php 500 (or Rp 100,000 or 10 USD).

Last year, this starter set was all the decor we had for our tree, but this Christmas I’ve decided to add more to it! So my first stop was GRANDLUCKY SUPERSTORE. I found it a bit expensive and the cheapest (but sizable) ones I could find were these Gold glitter Christmas balls pack of 6 with strings which you have to tie yourself (Rp 59,000).

So off I went to Chic Mart, and I was a bit happier because I found cheaper ones. These Gold hearts are Rp 8,500 (left) and Rp 10,000 (right) each. Okay the large hearts are not cheaper, but these are made of solid wood, so I know they will last us a long time.

Gold bell with glitter (Rp 7,500) & Gold plastic acorns (Rp 7,500) from CHIC MART

I finally found nice gold Christmas tree balls (not scratched/faded/made with painted gold foil) that didn’t cost me an arm and a leg! Box of 40pcs (Rp 200,000) from ACE HARDWARE – PASARAYA. They are real glass balls.

Gold string (Rp 5,000) from GRAND LUCKY SUPERSTORE

I bought this string  for tying gift tags, but I’m glad I got em because apparently not all the Christmas tree decor I bought come with strings. Weird right? We had to use them for the glass Christmas balls.

DINING TABLE

Also from GRANDLUCKY SUPERSTORE are the decor on my dining table. The table runner is from a brand called Kalingga Home Gallery and I loved the white with gold snowflakes pattern. It is 2 meters long for Rp 120,000 or 12 USD est. From the same brand, I also found these cute wooden Christmas trees which are called P. natal pph warna

• Small  Rp 25,000 or 2.50 USD est.

• Medium  Rp 35,000 or 3.50 USD est.

• Large Rp 45,000 or 4.50 USD est. from

These Kalingga Home Gallery coasters were Rp 55,000 or 5 USD est. for a set of 6.

GIFTS & GIVEAWAYS

I’ve never heard of Christmas Crackers before but hubby, who spent his childhood in the U.S, told me they were fun. So next time I went back to CHIC MART I bought some. Thank goodness too.. they ran out of the gold ones pretty quick. These were Rp 65,000 for a box of 6.

For the Christmas gift wrappers I looked for reusable bags and ribbons at Majestic Traditional Pasar or Market. I found these Bronze gift bags for Rp 5,000 each for a minimum of 12 pieces.

Ribbons:  Gold 1.5 inch width (Rp 25,000 for 10 Meters);  Red 0.5 inch width (10 Meters for Rp 14,000); and  Gold 1 cm width (10 Meters for Rp 4,500)

For the usual wrappers, I wanted gold as well. Last year I used gold christmas wrappers with white polkadots, but unfortunately I couldn’t find anything nice and affordable here. The cheapest I found were from CHIC MART and they didn’t match my gold theme. 6 rolls with 3 designs for Rp 26,900.

Note: Brand is Capricorn Christmas and the size is 76 x 53 cm which, in hindsight, is a bit too narrow for me. Not as good a deal as I thought! Cheaper for the same quanity at Rp 16,500 but the design is not as good and paper is thinner but 6 rolls as well.

Then I went to BASEMENT LEVEL STALL IN PASAR PAGI, MANGGA DUA (beside ITC Mall) and got 10 rolls of beautiful red and gold wrapper for ONLY Rp 6,000. The price difference is crazy!!! I am never buying wrappers at “city” prices again!

Let me end with a shot of our living room all lit up at night. The lights behind lining the backrest of our couch are from Phuket.

Chic Mart – Kemang, Jakarta

021 – 719 92 49
Jl. Kemang Raya No. 55, Jakarta Selatan
Be sure to check out Retota on the 2/f

Kalingga Home Gallery

www.kanacrafts.co.id
kalinggahomegallery@gmail.com