Christmas in Malaysia is celebrated by a diverse population with a significant portion of festivities led by the Christian community. While Malaysians are predominantly Muslims, several religious and ethnic groups, such as Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, etc,are living side by side around the country.

For Christians in Malaysia, Christmas is a primarily religious celebration, so many attend special church services on Christmas Eve and Day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, some other activities are also held to celebrate Christmas in Malaysia, like gift-giving, feasting, participating in community events, open houses, setting Christmas trees and decorations around public spaces, shopping malls, other commercial areas, and homes. Here are several best decorations you can find during Christmas and where to buy in Malaysia:

As the most common decoration for Christmas, the Christmas tree tradition was started in the Renaissance era in Northern Germany and Livonia, which symbolizes Jesus Christ’s birth and resurrection. These trees are adorned with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Some households may opt for real pine trees, though these can be less common due to the tropical climate. You can get your Christmas tree in many shopping malls in Malaysia; the popular ones are in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Baru are likely to have a variety of options.

Wreaths originated in ancient Greece and Rome where the society at that time would hand-craft ring-shaped decorations from leaves, branches, twigs, fruits and flowers, then hang them on their doors as a symbol of victory and eternal life. It is usually combined with ornaments, ribbons, pinecones, and lights to match the overall decor theme. Besides shopping malls, you can also find wreaths in specialty stores, such as FNC, Kaison, IKEA, etc, specializing in seasonal items and festive decorations.

People in the ancient world used garlands as a part of religious rituals and personal accessories worn on the head or around the neck. Garland is a decorative braid, knot, or wreath of flowers, leaves, or other materials; garland typically used as Christmas decorations is the one with tinsel. Sometimes, it is ornamented with pine branches or eucalyptus then draped along the staircases, mantels, or doorways. Come to supermarkets or hypermarkets, like AEON, Giant, Pacific, HeroMarket, along with others around Malaysia to get this decoration.

Symbolizing Jesus’s status as The Light of The World, who saved people from the darkness, Christmas lights are string fairy lights or LED candles set around windows, and door frames or circled Christmas trees to create a cozy and warm ambience within the room. However, they are usually also in the shape of reindeer or snowflakes to make this decor more unique. Local markets and bazaars, like Connaught or Langkawi Night Market, may have vendors selling handmade and locally sourced Christmas decorations you need.

A ceramic dish surrounded by leaves was used to decorate the table during the Roman century. Table centerpieces also became the way to display wealth, along with fancy food displays, fine platters and mirrors, and candelabras to enhance the look of the dining table. As Christmas decorations, they usually include trays, tiered stands, candles, pinecones, pine leaves, or poinsettia holly to give a bit of a traditional touch. Personalize your Christmas decorations and find each item in Malaysian shopping malls, specialty stores, local and night markets, or DIY stores.

Christmas stockings are an established American culture that originated in the life of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). It symbolizes hope since historically, Santa Claus silently dropped gold down a man’s chimney, and the gold slipped into a stocking hung over the fireplace. Some Christians believe that they would be given gifts or blessings by Santa Claus during Christmas. They are usually hung over the mantels or staircases and filled with small gifts or treats. You can personalize your Christmas stockings by checking them out in many department stores, home goods stores, Christmas markets and bazaars spread throughout Malaysia.

If you want to personalize your own Christmas decoration for your home, you can make DIY ornaments using materials like clay, felt, or paper. You can also put photos or names of your family as well as invite them to create unique decorations together. Mr. DIY stores around Malaysia must provide the materials you need to beautify your homes and personal spaces during Christmas. You only have to keep an eye out for discounts and promotions during this season.

People also use Christmas-themed pillows and throws for decorative purposes to put on their sofas, chairs, or beds. They usually choose textiles in festive colors, like red, green, or gold, and feature them with seasonal holiday patterns, like winter, Christmas tree, Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, or gingermen. These kinds of pillows and throws must be provided within some home goods stores, including IKEA, House2Home, Live It Up Homestore, and more.

As the Christmas lights, candles also represent the Star of Bethlehem and The Lights of The World when Jesus was born. Giving candles as a gift at Christmas means respecting a person's unique taste while simultaneously offering multipurpose gifts for self-care, home decoration, and fragrance. You can choose relaxing-scented candles, such as cinnamon, pine, or peppermint, for a cozy atmosphere at your home. Then, put them on tiered stands, lanterns, or candelabra and place them around. Christmas candles can be easily found around Malaysian shopping malls, specialty stores, local markets, and so forth.

After creating and personalizing your Christmas candles, you can make them as window decorations. Besides, some Christmas-themed decals and stickers are also useful to help decorate your windows. Do not forget to place fairy lights, small figurines, and windowsills to make it more alive. Several home goods stores in Malaysia must sell those items, so all you need to do is check them out.

The Christmas decorations put on your home’s doorways are viewed as an invitation for Christ and the spirit of Christmas to enter the house. The greenery, like garlands, Christmas trees, wreaths, topiaries, and potted arrangements are fit to set on your entryway. Collect as many items as you want from nearby Christmas stores in Malaysia.

Nativity scenes are also a popular Christmas decoration in Malaysia. It depicts the birth of Jesus, so to create this, you might need figurines of Mother Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, and the three wise men. When finished, you may want to combine them with fairy lights and candles around, near the Christmas trees. Some specialty and Christmas stores around Malaysia may sell these figurines.

Stars refer to the Star of Bethlehem while Angels are protectors. These star and angel tree-toppers are used for Christians to ward off evil spirits and bad luck from their homes. You may spot Christmas trees in several Malaysian public spaces with stars or angels on top of them, with other decorations like lights, and Santa Claus figures, as well as some presents under the tree. It is one of the most beautiful attractions in public spaces during Christmas you may not want to miss it.

Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas was a monk admired for his piety and kindness, so there would be lots numbers of his appearance at Christmas. You can literally find his figures anywhere around Malaysia, along with his reindeer and sleighs. Christian Malaysians are familiar with snowmen decoration too, despite the fact that Malaysia has a tropical climate and does not experience snow. However, these decors are still worth buying to fill your Christmas Eve and Day with the vibes of joy.

As a Christmas flower, poinsettia symbolizes goodwill and community spirit; the red leaves represent the blood of Christ. Poinsettias are usually set as festive decorations at homes and churches. Malaysia is not a country where this kind of plant grows, yet you still can find it on some online marketplaces.

Diverse populations and ethnic groups in Malaysia may also influence how they celebrate certain celebrations like Christmas. Hence, they would combine cultural symbols with Christmas decorations to make it more personalized. It could represent how they would embrace both their religious and cultural identities. To prepare such decorations, you have to juggle around some specialty shops, like Christmas and ethnic fabric or souvenir stores around Malaysia.

Malaysians have many varieties of Christmas decorations that they display in lots of public spaces, including shopping malls, hotels, churches, theme parks, resorts, streets, and even their own homes or personal spaces. They count as public attractions during Christmas that you would not regret visiting. You could just move and transport around the country without having to be afraid of getting lost because you have the best travel choice to accompany you during the journey in Malaysia. Always keep an eye on Traveloka to get the best deals of everything. Find special prices, discounts, and promotions during this seasonal holiday!