NEWS

Get paid to play with Lego

With the pandemic accelerating digital transformation, going online is one of the biggest trends this year. To practice safe social distancing, Pacific Place is welcoming the jolly man in red in a Covid-safe, virtual format. The mall will introduce Hong Kong’s first-ever augmentedreality meet and greet with Santa. From November 19 through January 2, the atrium will Let it snow in TKO Step into a winter wonderland this November as a Frozen-themed exhibition arrives at Park Central in Tseung Kwan O. Visitors can experience the breathtaking Arendelle’s castle, explore the mystical Troll Valley and visit the famous Enchanted Forest at the 18,000sq ft exhibition which runs from November 17 until February 28. Tickets for a 90-minute session Available at klook.com also transform into a winter elf town, featuring a Little Elves’ Training Camp, Christmas fair games, storytelling and handcraft workshops. Selected activities will be made available online, so you can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your own home. Ticket sales to meet Santa virtually will go live online on November 19 at 11am. christmas.pacificplace.com.hk Award-winning home furnishing retailer, Indigo Living has launched its new premium home furnishings and lifestyle concept, Indigo Atelier. Perfectly suited to the high-end, design-savvy customer, Indigo Atelier features sophisticated home furniture, lighting, accessories and artwork collections from its esteemed network of artists and designers. The launch of Indigo It’s now possible to make money from playing with Lego. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Hong Kong is on the lookout for a full-time Master Model Builder at its 30,000sq ft store in K11 MUSEA. The successful candidate will spend their days building new models, maintaining existing ones and delivering inspirational model builder workshops. Apply online at

We wish you a virtual Christmas

cost $198 for adults and children over the age of 12, and $178 for kids aged three to 11.

Indigo Atelier launches

hongkong.legolanddiscoverycentre.com

Atelier also serves as a fresh, upscale new face to the previous SONDER Living @ Indigo brand. “Indigo Atelier is all about the art of design - it’s for the connoisseur who truly wants to express their unique personality through a beautifully designed space.” says John McLennan, Indigo Founder and Chairman. indigo-living.com

Charity card supports Mother’s Choice

The Lion Rock Press recently launched its 2020 charity Christmas card appeal with 100% of the profits going to support Mother’s Choice. This is the eighth year that The Lion Rock Press has supported the charity with the aim of exceeding $350,000 in donations by the end of 2020. Mother’s Choice works to change the lives of children without families and young women in crisis pregnancies in our city. The Christmas cards illustrate the 12 Days of Christmas with a Hong Kong children ranked bottom in a recent study on wellbeing conducted by Hong Kong’s only public liberal arts university, Lingnan University. Over 1,500 10 and 12 years olds across 35 counties were interviewed on their subjective wellbeing. Those in Hong Kong scored 7.25 and 8.09 respectively on a scale from 0 to 10, the lowest scores of all countries surveyed. The tongue-in-cheek Hong Kong theme. Cards retail at $30 or $120 for a pack of 10 from selected at thelionrockpress.com

Kids’ wellbeing in need of boost

retailers, including all Bookazine stores or online findings indicate that the well-being of Hong Kong children is currently behind international standards with the team behind the study expressing concern about the negative implications on mental health and wellness. They emphasise the importance of listening and care, as well as guidance on how to use free time effectively in order to balance study and leisure time.

news Kellett appoints new Head

After a rigorous selection process, Kellett School has appointed Samantha Steed as the new Head of School for The Kowloon Bay Campus. Steed will assume her new position at the British international school at the end of this academic year. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education and has over 20 years of Primary and Early Years education experience, including three headships. Steed began her teaching career at Holy Trinity School in London and was appointed Deputy Head at Prospect School in Putney, Head of Haresfoot Preparatory School in Hertfordshire and Head of Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, where her husband Mark Steed was Principal.

Let’s party

Swoon Soirées celebrates five years in business. By Charmaine Ng

Hong Kong can be a tough market to succeed in. But against all odds, party supplies business Swoon Soirées has found mainstream success and will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

Founded by Brenda Wilson when there was little in the way of party supplies available in the local market, Swoon Soirées has become one of the city’s goto destinations for unique partyware. Its website features over 100 party themes to choose from, offering everything needed to plan a picture-perfect day for children and adults alike.

“I could often be found with suitcases full of party and baking supplies on trips back from the United States,” recounts Wilson, when asked about the start of her business. “After being ‘randomly’ stopped a hundred percent of the time by TSA for additional screening, I thought perhaps it was time to start importing my favourite goodies in bulk.” She decided that an online party supplies platform would give her maximum flexibility to focus on raising her daughter while still building a business from the ground up.

A Hong Kong-based company with an international outlook, Swoon Soirées prides itself on sourcing the finest quality items from around the world, such as gourmet sprinkles from Canada, giant balloon kits from Australia, colourfully themed lollipops from the United States and sophisticated ceramic cake stands from Denmark.

“We don’t limit ourselves by geography. We scour the globe to ensure that Swoon Soirées is always one step ahead of the latest trends in hosting,” explains Wilson. “We are also the exclusive importers of several brands only available at Swoon Soirées, which gives our customers something special.”

The business’ focus on premium quality also ensures that much of its partyware is designed to be reusable, reducing waste and saving time, money and resources for its customers’ next celebration.

Since Swoon Soirées’ inception, Wilson has been committed to offering peerless customer service. All orders over $750 include free two-day delivery, while clients with urgent requirements can upgrade to an optional same-day courier service to anywhere in Hong Kong. The easy-to-navigate website is searchable by preferred colour, product, occasion and gender, with specific collections to make children’s parties magical or add a sprinkle of sophistication to adult gatherings.

As the end of the year draws near, Swoon Soirées is gearing up for its birthday. Normally, Wilson would call for a big celebration – as expected with a party supplies business. “But, with a global

Brenda Wilson

pandemic on our minds, it just does not seem like the right time to wax lyrical about party supplies,” she says. “It is enough to simply take a moment to look forward to brighter days, months and years ahead for the business.”

Swoon Soirées is Hong Kong’s online party boutique filled with creative themes and must-have accessories.

swoonxoxo.com

AUTUMN DAYS AHEAD

Enjoy the cooler weather at these campsites, picnic spots and family-friendly farms

Tung Lung Chau

Tung Lung Chau Island, located off the tip of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula in the New Territories, famously offers some of the best rock climbing facilities in Hong Kong with walls suitable for all levels. Tung Lung Chau Campsite on the northeastern side of the island is a 20-minute walk from Tung Lung Island Public Pier and boasts nearby restaurants, barbeque pits and excellent stargazing opportunities.

Treasure Island Hong Kong

Located in South Lantau, Pui O Beach is popular with beginner surfers and kite surfers. The campsite is easily accessible, making it perfect for families and meals can be enjoyed at the popular Treasure Island Beach Club. The team at Treasure Island take the hassle out of camping, renting out everything from sleeping bags and S’mores packs to fully kitted out cabanas, so all you need to do is show up and relax. treasureislandhk.com

Cool Campsites

Sai Yuen Farm

For a more glamorous camping experience, Sai Yuen Farm offers six themed camping experiences. Visitors can opt to spend the night in a Native American Teepee, Mongolian

Ger, Romantic Tree Cocoon or a Star Gazing Geodesic Dome. The farm also offers a range of adventurous activities including a tree top canopy walk, bubble soccer and junior abseiling to keep the whole tribe entertained.

saiyuen.com

Ham Tin

If you fancy waking up on soft sand to witness the sun rise over turquoise waters, Ham Tin is the spot for you. One of four white sandy beaches in the Tai Long Wan Bay area, Ham Tin Beach boasts stunning scenery, access to toilets and rental facilities for surfboards and camping equipment. The area is popular with overnight campers and reachable via a 2.5 kilometre hike from Sai Wan Pavilion, or

Sai Yuen Farm

Treasure Island Hong Kong

by boat from Sai Kung Waterfront. A small restaurant serves up cold beers, coconuts and noodles throughout the year.

Wan Tsai

Wan Tsai South Campsite is located at the northern extremity of the north-western Sai Kung Peninsula and overlooks Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. The campsite is spaciously designed and features pavilions, barbeque grills and bathrooms, it also offers some of the best sunrises and sunsets in Hong Kong. Access is via a short ferry ride from Wong Shek Pier.

Family-friendly Farms

Butterfly Valley

This butterfly-themed farm in Tai Po is a wonderland for family photos, touting stunning lake views, pink-purple windmills and rainbow bridges. The farm has recently introduced a small alpaca enclosure and launched a camping package, making it the perfect weekend trip for families. butterfly-valley.com

Nature’s Harvest

Located in Sai Kung, Nature’s Harvest advertises itself as an ‘organic farm and wellness getaway’ with plenty of photo opportunities, including its signature Dutch windmill and Swiss wooden houses. Within its picturesque site, a large piece of farmland provides a platform for farming workshops. naturesharvest.com.hk

Bunny Wonderland

Encompassing an area of over 100,000 square feet, Bunny Wonderland in the Lam Tsuen Country Park has a variety of outdoor facilities to keep kids busy, including pirate ships, trampolines, rope nets and swings. And as the name suggests, the farm has a dedicated zone full of bunnies for the public to pet. bunnywonderland.com

Go Green Organic Farm

Go Green Organic Farm is a charming spread of bright pineapple fields situated on the outskirts of town in Kam Tin. This farm offers seasonal fruit and vegetable picking, farming workshops, handicraft and cooking classes, as well as camping and barbecue facilities. Nothing compares to its most popular attraction though – the alpaca enclosure, where children and their parents can get up close and personal with these furry animals. gogreenlife.com.hk

Nature’s Harvest

Long Ping Strawberry Grape Farm

With a 200,000-square-foot field, this massive organic farm in Yuen Long lends itself as one of the best places to go for strawberry and grape picking. It has garnered much attention in recent years with its offers of Japanese fruit varieties, such as the Shine Muscat grapes and Kyoho grapes. The farm is free to enter with a small fee to pay for your fruit pickings.

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Picnic Spots

Victoria Peak Garden

A short 15-minute walk from Peak Galleria lies a lush meadow which is idyllic for picnics. The Victorian-style pagodas and garden exude old school charm and the hiking path up towards Mount High West is just metres away.

West Kowloon Art Park

This vibrant waterfront promenade has taken Instagram by storm this year. The open lawn offers panoramic views across Victoria Harbour and the Art Park sometimes hosts live performances, so you can catch some chill tunes from the comfort of your picnic blanket. Nearby restaurants and cafes serve up delicious bites, fresh coffee and sundowners.

Kwun Tong Promenade

Formerly a landfill site, Jordan Valley Park scrubbed up well and is now the largest park in Kwun Tong District with numerous outdoor facilities. The Kwun Tong Promenade offers picturesque views across the harbour and a grassy area close to the boardwalk provides the perfect place to lay your blanket.

Inspiration Lake

With Hong Kong Disneyland recently reopened for business, man-made Inspiration Lake is a short walk from the park entrance. Free entrance, an onsite tuck shop and pedal boatsmake- makes for the perfect place for little ones to let off steam in Lantau.

hongkongdisneyland.com

Cyberport Waterfront Park

Enjoy a lazy Sunday at this waterfront park tucked behind the Cyberport Arcade. The area is perfect for people-watching on it’s expansive grass lawn and since the park is dog-friendly, even your pooch can join in the fun.

What’s your favourite day out?

Our cover stars share their favourite outdoor pastimes

I love being in the water so my Mummy and Daddy will often take me to try out one of the many beautiful beaches in Hong Kong.

-Pia Zhang

I love running through the grass at The American Country Club and when the weather isn’t so nice, I’ll get a mani-pedi with my mum.

- Danica Yeung