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How much do you know about Guy Ritchie and his films? 01. What is Guy Ritchie’s directorial debut feature film? A. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels B. Swept Away C. Revolver 02. Who does Eiza González play in Ritchie’s soon-to-be-released In the Grey? A. A negotiator B. A spy C. A sorcerer 03. In which cult classic does Ritchie direct Brad Pitt? A. True Romance B. Snatch C. Thelma and Louise 04. How many children does Ritchie have? A. Three B. Five C. Seven 05. Which French film is Wrath of Man based on? A. Les Enfants du Paradis B. Amélie C. Le Convoyeur 06. Who stars as Sergeant John Kinley in The Covenant ? A. Dar Salim B. Antony Starr C. Jake Gyllenhaal 07. Which Ritchie movie is a reimagining of a classic Disney animated film? A. Aladdin B. Sleeping Beauty C. Brave 08. Who stars in Ritchie’s 2008 ad campaign for Nike? A. Thierry Henry B. Ronaldinho Gaúcho C. Lionel Messi 09. Who plays Sherlock Holmes in Ritchie’s 2009 and 2011 films? A. Robert Downey Jr B. Jude Law C. Mark Strong 10. Ritchie is co-founder of which English single malt brand? A. Cotswolds Single Malt B. Rosemaund Farm Whisky C. The Glenlivet 11. Which Ritchie spy film is based on a 1960s TV series? A. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. B. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre C. RocknRolla 12. Who is Ritchie married to? A. Jacqui Ainsley-Ritchie B. Helen Ainsley-Ritchie C. Sarah Anne Ritchie 13. Which Ritchie movie opens in Bangkok? A. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare B. Fountain of Youth C. The Covenant 14. Who plays King Arthur in Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword ? A. David Beckham B. Charlie Hunnam C. Eric Bana 15. On whose novels is Ritchie’s Young Sherlock TV series based? A. Andy Lane B. Sir Ar thur Conan Doyle C. Tana French 16. Who plays the fixer in Ritchie’s crime drama TV series MobLand? A. Tom Hardy B. Pierce Brosnan C. Helen Mirren 17. In which martial art has Ritchie earned a black belt? A. Judo B. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu C. Bare-Knuckle Boxing 18. Which frequent collaborator of Ritchie starred in Revolver ? A. Eddie Marsan B. Hugh Grant C. Jason Statham 19. What line does Matthew McConaughey deliver in The Gentleman ? A. When the lion's hungry, he eats B. Alright, alright, alright C. All destruction leads to construction 20. What is the name of Ritchie’s estate in Wiltshire, England? A. Stourhead House B. Mompesson House C. Ashcombe House Answers: A A B B C C A B A B A A B B A A B C A C

A passionate educator, Emma Tielus-Ward leads The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company with heart, imagination and – this month – a festive helping hand. Elizabeth Kerr reports "So I was sitting at home, and that’s not good for a cat,” begins Emma Tielus-Ward of her partial exodus from Discovery Bay 10 years ago. Emma is hardly a traitor to the enclave she moved to in 2008 – she’s in DB every Wednesday, working with a semi-professional troupe of 30+ child actors. But she admits the change of address makes the rest of her life easier to navigate. An actress and dancer, turned choreographer- director-producer, originally from south London, Emma has been leading performing arts workshops for Hong Kong youth for 30 years. Homebase is The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company (www.theperformersstudio.com) in DB, where she provides semi-professional training and theatre experiences. She hosts additional workshops in Hung Hom and Aberdeen, and runs The Arts Factory (www.theartsfactoryhk.com) in Sai Kung, offering classes in everything from hip-hop dance to musical theatre. Emma is the picture of a performer: hair tight and high off her face, heavy-duty trainers for running around in, substantial duffle bag with which to tote around the accessories of the stage – including a bottle of water that’s spilt inside. She brushes it off. Why worry about a wet notebook? Like so many transplants, Emma originally landed in Hong Kong after responding to an advert – placed by a small performing arts school. “If I’m honest, I was a little bit lost, but at the same time a little bit arrogant,” she says. “I’d just got my masters in drama [from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama]. I was supposedly a professionally trained actor. I was young, I was naïve, and I thought, what can I do?” She took the job, thinking she’d pay off some student debt and get some real work experience. Then headed home after her 16-month contract ended. “I grew up very working class, where if you wanted something, you had to fight for it,” Emma explains. “When I arrived here, that was my mentality. I’d never been to Asia, so it was a real shock that people were gentle, and there was that safety element. The first six months I had a wall up, and I was quite ‘London’, but that slowly melted away. My mindset changed.” A self-described introvert, Emma points to herself as living proof that being loud and brash isn’t a prerequisite for being a performer, something she’s been doing since she was four (she had her first acting agent at age 11). “I was that kid,” she says with a laugh. “I was always going to be a performer. I was in every play at school. I was in the choir. I did drama, GCSE music, dance training, all of it.” Her first industry job was in promotions for West End theatre before she bluffed her way into a choreographer’s gig at 18 with a youth theatre company. “I was awful. I was atrocious, but I did it.” She went on to appear on British TV (BBC and ITV), and onstage in London. Emma began her second stint in Hong Kong in 1995 at a private art studio in Aberdeen that wanted to grow its performing arts business. She struck a bargain with the owner and agreed to work full-time for a year, then scale back to have time, a place and the freedom to teach drama. That job lasted four years, and taught her all about the demands of running a creative business. Eventually though, she thought, “Now what?” Enter The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company. The stars aligned when Emma moved to DB the year Discovery College opened: the school gave her a spot on its Extra Curricular Activities semester programme, which was the start of something much bigger. Schools like Japanese International and Renaissance College followed DC in running her performing arts classes – yet something was missing. That’s when the penny dropped. “I could see that my kids, my students, would get to a certain age, and then move on, and I was wondering why that was. And I wasn’t totally fulfilled on a personal level. I realised I wasn’t actually making enough theatre,” Emma recalls. “I’m a director and a producer – all of my classes, all of my workshops, have a performance at the end. That’s the bit that drives me. So I decided to set up The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company in DB. We did our first production in 2008 and, in 2016, we launched the Semi-Professional Children’s Team with our first large show. I tell the students [aged 7 to 16] that they’re semi-professionals and I treat them like professionals.” Emma loves igniting creativity in the children she thinks of as her own; she’s child-free. She admits to being a bit obsessed with how we treat each other (poorly) and she’s intrigued by when we learn to do that. “I work with children because their instincts and their words and what comes out is not just innocent, it’s real.” The glowing feedback from The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company’s first-ever show, The Witches, lit a fire under Emma and she just knew: “this is what we should be doing.” And as it turns out, she was right. The DB troupe expanded quickly and now numbers 37, with an additional 40 waitlisted. As of 2023, there’s also the Theatre in Education Touring Company, whereby Emma sends her charges into local schools to stage plays for their peers. Each performance ends with a Q&A aimed at inspiring budding, young thespians. The company currently performs twice yearly, reaching 1,000 local school children. “Our ethos is to get up onstage, it is important to share what we are learning, make mistakes, grow in confidence and then do it all again,” Emma says. “What we do is challenging; we work for the good of the show and we have no drama queens. We learn by falling off our bike and getting back on and trying again!” Next up is Belfast-born composer Paul Boyd’s The Snow Queen, set for February 2 to 7, 2026 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Shouson Theatre. “The Snow Queen is Hans Christian Andersen. It’s very enchanting; you know, snow on stage, lots of white. I think it’s just beautiful and mystical and the music’s amazing. Boyd’s music is just so jolly; we decided to have a Latin-dance choreographer. It’s super-exciting,” says Emma, who’s hoping to recreate the success of Madagascar from 2023, her first post-pandemic live show. “We invited some kids onto the stage, and I filmed it. I had tears in my eyes. There were 250 kids and their teachers and no one was sitting down,” she recalls. “It was like a rave. It was like a party, but it was theatre.”

Raise your glass! With a few clever pre- and post-party hacks, you can dodge the hangover and dance through December like a pro Christmas time, mistletoe and wine, and brandy, and a big turkey, creamed onions, smoked salmon, ham hock, presents for the stockings, presents for the wife and kids, my nieces and nephews on both sides and the door staff. The party season is upon us, with its endless invitations, late-night laughter and... dreaded morning-after misery. A throbbing headache, parched mouth and vague sense of regret can turn even the best of times into a foggy blur. The good news? A hangover isn’t inevitable. With a little preparation, some smart choices and a few recovery tricks, you can enjoy the festivities without paying the price. Avoiding a hangover is really about looking after your body before, during and after you drink. The first rule is to stay hydrated. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it depletes the body of water and essential minerals. The simple habit of drinking a full glass of water before your first cocktail sets a protective foundation. Throughout the evening, alternate each alcoholic drink with water – one for one – and you’ll drastically reduce the next day’s suffering. Electrolyte-rich drinks, such as coconut water, can also help maintain balance, keeping your system in better shape as the night unfolds. The next essential step is food. Drinking on an empty stomach puts you on a fast track to disaster. A proper meal before you go out slows down the absorption of alcohol and cushions your stomach, preventing sharp drops in blood sugar. Meals that are rich in protein and healthy fats are your best defence – think eggs or avocado toast, chicken with vegetables, or a handful of nuts if you’re in a hurry. Skip sugary or greasy foods, as they tend to worsen inflammation and nausea later. When it comes to what’s in your glass, not all alcohol is equal. Red wine and dark spirits (like whisky and brandy) contain a lot of congeners – toxic byproducts of fermentation that make hangovers more severe. Clear liquors such as vodka, gin and light rum are generally kinder to your body. It also pays to stick with one type of alcohol rather than experimenting with a mix of everything behind the bar. Add sugary mixers or carbonated sodas, and you’re effectively speeding up alcohol absorption and setting yourself up for a blood-sugar rollercoaster. A simple mixer like soda water with a twist of lime is lighter and easier on your system. Pacing yourself is just as important. Your liver can only process about one standard drink per hour, so when you drink faster than that, the excess builds up in your system and turns into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound responsible for pounding heads and queasy stomachs. Sipping slowly, setting down your drink between sips and knowing your limits all give your body a fighting chance. Another underrated hangover prevention strategy involves supplements. Alcohol depletes vital nutrients like magnesium, zinc, vitamin C and B vitamins – all of which play a key role in energy production and detoxification. Before heading out, take a high-quality multivitamin or, even better, a liver support supplement containing milk thistle, a plant known for protecting liver cells. Magnesium helps support relaxation and better sleep, while B vitamins keep your mood and energy stable. Boosting your vitamin C levels can help your body repair damage caused by alcohol. If you’re planning a big night, make sure your nutritional reserves are strong – give your body a safety net before you start celebrating. And then there’s sleep, the unsung hero of hangover recovery. Alcohol may make you drowsy but it interferes with REM sleep, the restorative stage that allows your body to repair and recharge. You might technically sleep for eight hours, but you’ll wake feeling unrested. Planning for extra rest after a night out can make a big difference to the way you feel. Of course, even with the best intentions, sometimes the party wins and you wake with the mother of all hangovers: your head hurts, your mouth is dry and your stomach is unsettled. This is where the recovery plan kicks in. The first and most crucial step is rehydration. Drink plenty of water or reach for an electrolyte-rich sports drink, such as Pedialyte or Gatorade, to replace lost minerals. A warm, salty broth like chicken or miso soup is gentle on the stomach and helps restore sodium and potassium. The stomach tends to take the brunt of the damage after a heavy night, so treat it kindly. A homeopathic remedy like Nux Vomica 30 can help ease the nausea, acidity and bloating that come from too much alcohol. A probiotic can also help rebalance your gut microbiome, which is disrupted by drinking. When you’re ready for breakfast (or brunch), think balanced and restorative. Toast or oatmeal replenish carbohydrates and stabilise blood sugar, while bananas replace potassium. A drizzle of honey adds fructose, which speeds up alcohol metabolism and gives you an instant energy lift. If you can stomach something savoury, eggs are rich in cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde, one of alcohol’s most toxic byproducts. But go with a grill-up not a fry-up; the idea that a greasy fried breakfast helps cure a hangover is more myth than medicine. Likewise, don’t be fooled by the so-called ‘hair of the dog’ hangover remedy: alcohol may give you a boost in the short-term but it only delays the inevitable. A Bloody Mary is not your friend the morning after, and neither is a triple-shot coffee – adding alcohol or caffeine into the mix only makes dehydration worse. Herbal teas like ginger or peppermint are gentler options that soothe nausea and calm the digestive tract – ginger helps with dizziness, while peppermint relieves bloating and discomfort. If you’re battling a headache, ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness but steer clear of acetaminophen, which can put extra strain on your liver while alcohol is still in your system. Once you’ve rehydrated and eaten, a short walk in the fresh air can do wonders. Movement boosts circulation and helps your body metabolise leftover alcohol, while sunlight and oxygen naturally lift your mood. Avoid strenuous exercise – or any kind of work out – until you’ve properly rehydrated; your body needs a break not a challenge. Avoiding a hangover isn’t about being a saint – it’s about being smart. Hydrate well, eat before you drink, choose your alcohol wisely and give your body the nutrients it needs to process what’s coming. When you do overindulge, rehydrate, refuel and rest. Treat your body kindly, and it will forgive you faster. When it comes down to it, the party season isn’t about surviving – it’s about enjoying. With the right preparation and a little morning-after care, you can raise a glass, dance until dawn and greet the next day feeling (almost) as good as new.

Makes 20 1egg white 250g icing sugar 1⁄2tsp peppermint extract 250g dark chocolate Whisk the egg white in a large bowl until fluffy but not stiff. Sift in half the icing sugar. Gradually mix in the peppermint extract and the remaining icing sugar to form a firm but pliable dough. Divide the mixture into 20 small balls, then flatten them gently with your fingertips into discs. Place the discs on a tray lined with baking parchment. Next, tip the chocolate into a bowl and heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted, stirring after each blast. Once melted, leave the chocolate to cool for 5-10 minutes then carefully dip the peppermint creams in the melted chocolate until they are half coated. Lay them back on the lined trays and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.

The homeland of Christmas REPORTING BY Inka Viirret WITH ABUNDANT SNOW, ICY TEMPERATURES and welcoming people, Finnish Lapland, in the country’s far north, is a magical place to spend Christmas. Stay in the capital, scenic Rovaniemi, the ‘official’ hometown of Santa Claus. It’s a picturesque and action-packed winter wonderland for kids of all ages: look forward to crisp days and peaceful polar nights. YOUR VISIT STARTS AT SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE right on top of the Arctic Circle marker in Rovaniemi. Snowman World, at the heart of the village, is where the fun is at with snow and ice rides, ice skating, snowmobiling and an on-ice disco. Accommodation includes wood cabins, glass-sided apartments and an ice hotel complete with restaurant and bar. NEXT UP IS SANTAPARK , an action-packed indoor theme park, often referred to as the world’s top Christmas destination. It lies inside a mountain cavern, a couple of kilometres west of Santa Claus Village, and you get to meet elves, as well as Santa himself. Attractions include an ice sculpture gallery, carousel, magic sleigh ride, ice bar and theatre. RANUA WILDLIFE PARK , an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi, is another must-see. Around 200 animals, including wolves, lynx, musk oxen and Finland’s only two polar bears, are homed in natural-like enclosures. You can explore the park via a scenic 2.5km trail, and guides provide insights into the animals’ behaviours and habitats. A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR SNOW SPORTS , Finnish Lapland offers a wide range of activities for all skill levels with guaranteed snow cover by December. Head to Rovaniemi’s family-friendly winter parks or the high-quality slopes of Levi for downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even dog sledding. THE BREATHTAKING NORTHERN LIGHTS (Aurora Borealis) are easy to spot against Lapland’s clear dark skies. Light pollution is minimal and here in the ‘aurora belt’, the lights shine with maximum vibrancy. Remote locations like Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä and Inari offer excellent opportunities for viewing. THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 200,000 REINDEER (that’s more reindeer than residents) in Finnish Lapland. So be sure to head to one of the many reindeer farms to feed, pet and walk with the reindeer. Tours are available year-round at the farms in and around Rovaniemi and you can take a leisurely reindeer-pulled sleigh ride through the surrounding forests.

Harvey Law Group presents an efficient and accessible European Residency by Investment Program: your ticket to La Dolce Vita Weekends in the Tuscan hills, on the Venetian canals, or visiting Roman ruins can now become a reality for non-EU nationals, thanks to the Italy Golden Visa. Beyond the art, cuisine and lifestyle, Italy is also one of Europe’s most dynamic economies and its residency-by-investment program offers an accessible and family-friendly option for investors looking to establish European roots. The Italy Golden Visa provides non-EU nationals and their families with the right to live, work and study in Italy; it offers a pathway to permanent residency (after five years) and eventually citizenship (after 10 years). The main applicant (investor) can include as dependents his/ her spouse and minor children: adult children and parents can be included, if justified by health conditions. This program stands out for its efficiency: the applicant is required to make the investment only after approval of the investor visa, and the entire process can be completed within three to six months. There is no requirement for business experience, language, or even physical presence, making it a viable choice for a wide range of investors. The minimum investment is EUR 250,0 0 0 if in innovative local startups, EUR500,000 if in a local limited company, EUR1,000,000 if in the form of a donation supporting a public interest project, and EUR2,000,000 if in government bonds. The most popular option is the EUR500,000 investment – the investment can be made in shares in unlisted or even listed local limited companies. The process starts with an application for a Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment), usually granted within 30 days. Once granted, the applicant has up to six months to apply for the investor visa at an Italian embassy or consulate. Having entered Italy, the investor must apply for an investor residency permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within eight days, and complete the qualifying investment within three months. It is important to note that if the holder of the Italy Golden Visa has not entered Italy and these steps are not completed within two years of visa issuance, the entire process will be considered void. Once approved, investors receive an initial two-year residency permit, which is renewable for a three-year period thereafter. Although there is no physical residency requirement, those who do reside in Italy for over 183 days a year may benefit from one of Italy’s advantageous tax regimes, such as the EUR200,000 annual flat tax regime, the Southern/ Central Italy 7% tax rate on foreign income, or the impatriati tax regime which applies ordinary tax after a tax rebate of around 50% to 60% on taxable income. Whether you are drawn to Italy’s rich history and culture, or seeking a base for global mobility and investment, the Italy Golden Visa offers a flexible, efficient and accessible route into one of Europe’s most iconic countries. If you would like to know more, you may contact Harvey Law Group for advice. We have over 32 years of experience in investment residency and citizenship programs all over the world. 5-DAY ITINERARY: ROME, CAPRI & FLORENCE While you could spend months soaking up Italy's charm, this five-day tour captures the essence: ancient glory, coastal splendour and Renaissance beauty Day 1 ⇢ Rome If this is your first visit to Rome, s tart at the ancient city: take a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill – you’ll find it’s totally worth the history overload Walk in the footsteps of emperors at the Colosseum, and explore the underground complex, where gladiators prepared themselves for battle Relax in the afternoon at Piazza Navona, Rome’s largest square. Lively with painters, fortune tellers and street performers, it’s best known for its jaw-dropping Baroque fountains: Fountain of the Four Rivers, Fountain of the Moor and Fountain of Neptune Day 2 ⇢ Rome Be amazed by the size and magnificence of St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica (the largest church in the world), and the Vatican Museum. The Renaissance wow-factor carries through to Michelangelo’s glorious Sistine Chapel, and its world-famous frescoes Soak up the cinematic atmosphere at the elegant butterfly-shaped Spanish Steps – they’ve starred in numerous films over the years including Roman Holiday (1953) and The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) End your day at the Trevi Fountain: throw a coin into the water and, legend has it, you’ll be sure to return to Rome Day 3 ⇢ Capri day trip Take the train to Naples (around 2.5 hours), then a 50-minute ferry to Capri. Catch an around-the-island boat ride to see iconic rock formations (the Faraglioni sea stacks), kaleidoscopic grottoes and grand coastline villas Ride the funicular up to the main town for a late lunch and more amazing Mediterranean views. Stroll the picturesque botanical gardens, then jump the last ferry back to Naples (around 7pm) Day 4 ⇢ Florence Catch a high-speed train from Naples to Florence (about 1.5 hours), drop your bags and head out into a living Renaissance painting. Visit palazzos, piazzas and the picture-perfect cathedral - Duomo di Firenze Wander flea markets, shop for leather goods and cross the river Arno at Ponte Vecchio for iconic Florentine views Day 5 ⇢ Florence Visit Galleria Degli Uffizi to see Medici-owned masterpieces, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and Galleria dell’Accademia to view David, Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture Take a taxi to the hillside town of Fiesole to feast on signature Florentine views... and meat- and-truffle dishes

Can you have too much festive cheer? Andrew Spires looks back on Christmases past, and discovers what really makes the season shine Christmas time, mistletoe and wine, and brandy, and a big turkey, creamed onions, smoked salmon, ham hock, presents for the stockings, presents for the wife and kids, my nieces and nephews on both sides and the door staff. Christmas is all about giving but I’m giving myself a hernia to ensure the big day is a magical success. Not that I mind. I adore Christmas. It ranks just behind my birthday and Halloween, but I have found myself wondering whether I should rein it in a bit. The spirit of Christmas is a warm and fuzzy mulled wine afterglow. It’s a yearning for something just beyond reach; a tip of the tongue, fingertip stretch away that is always just out of grasp, like the memory of a vivid dream. I’m forever chasing the festive dragon from a time when all I had to worry about was double maths and Saturday evening television. In the UK when I was little, Christmas was pure magic. It was tradition for my parents to take my sister and I to church on Christmas Eve for a sing-song before inviting everyone back to ours for a big party. The scent of cigars and musk perfume still transports me back to those late-night Christmas Eves. My parents would always have too much to drink and then have to lay out all the presents for Christmas morning (the ones Santa didn’t bring). And inevitably I’d end up with my sister’s gifts and she’d end up with an Action Man. Now I’ve been passed the baton of keeping the magic alive for my two kids. There was a teenager in Scandinavia who sued his parents for emotional distress due to the lengths they went to keep him believing in Santa. Well into his teens, his family would set up a tableau deep in the Nordic woods of the Big Man in Red and his brightly lit sleigh. They’d then drive past it slowly, so their boy would see it. They did variations of this year on year. Genius parenting, but the kid clearly didn’t think so. Whilst I’m not that neurotic (or inventive), I do go to some lengths to hide my role. I buy and hide wrapping paper that only gets used for Christmas presents from St Nick. I create a dusting of ‘snow’ from the balcony into the apartment embedded with footprints. The carrot that’s left out gets chewed by the dog, with scraps strewn over the balcony; the cookies are devoured by yours truly but I’m careful to leave some crumbs. My two are 10 and 8 and whilst the eight-year old is still deep in the lore of Father Christmas, my eldest now gives me a quizzical side-eye when I offer an explanation as to how a chap who lives in the North Pole can circumnavigate the globe in one night, carrying enough presents for all those on the ‘nice list’, whilst riding a flying sleigh powered by eight reindeer. Much like Jesus to his disciples, I tell her she has to have faith. The big Christmas family gathering is always at our apartment. We only have a small countertop oven, so I usually prep most of the food the day before. Pigs in blankets, the bird – the biggest I can find that will fit in the oven – and a nut roast for my veggie family members can all be done in advance and reheated. Yorkshire puddings too. (Top tip for Yorkshire puddings: once they’re in the oven, under pain of death, do not open the oven door.) That leaves peeling and chopping for Christmas day, which can be done in between present opening and champagne quaffing. It’s imperative to get a glass of fizz in you by 10am. Don’t forget in all the chaos that people will still want breakfast, so have something ready to deploy that doesn’t consume too many pans and counter space. Presents are a contentious issue in my house. How many is too many? One friend suggests you get the kids a maximum of three gifts: one they want, one they need and one they can wear. As much sense as that makes, I find it impossible to stop there. For one they have stockings that need filling. The tradition of hanging stockings stems from the 4th century when legend has it, St Nicholas got news of a widowed father of three girls who was very poor and was unable to provide for them. To help the family out, he threw gold through an open window of their house, which landed in a pair of socks hung by the fire to dry. Since then, people hang their socks, or stockings, with care, in the hope that St Nicholas will furnish them with gold. My wife’s family are born-and-bred Hong Kongers and don’t buy into all the festive fuss. One year, I had just finished decorating the Christmas table and polishing the silverware, about to bring out the starters for the Christmas feast, when my father-in-law came in and said he wouldn’t be having lunch with us as he’d just been to Fairwood. I suddenly didn’t feel quite so Christmassy. Christmassy is a hard feeling to quantify. Christmas in Hong Kong doesn’t feel that Christmassy in comparison to the UK. It took me a few years of living here to figure out why. The answer seems to be the weather and annual leave. People in the UK take a week off over the festive period. That extra time off results in family time. Christmas in Hong Kong is celebrated as a Hallmark afterthought. Things only feel Christmassy in Hong Kong at Chinese New Year, which must be due to family gatherings, feasts and gift giving. Just like Christmas in the UK but with better decorations. I used to work at New Scotland Yard. I was in the office on a chilly and wet Christmas Eve when the then Commissioner of Police burst in at around 2pm and shouted, “What the &%$ are you still doing here? $#& off home, it’s Christmas Eve.” I don’t think you’d ever get that in an office in Hong Kong! Through all the consumerism and faff, Christmas is a magical time. The lead-up to the big day is a cooking pot of shared nostalgia, upholding time-honoured traditions and a giddy anticipation for the excitement to come. It’s like looking forward to the first sip of a cold beer on a hot day. Once you’ve had the sip, the magic is lost. So this year, I’ll be focusing on the important bits. I don’t remember what gifts I received as a kid, but I do remember playing boardgames with my parents and being trapped under my sleeping father on the sofa watching E.T. The magic of Christmas lies in the people you spend it with, and I can’t wait to spend it with my beautiful family.

It’s been a busy, brilliant year in Discovery Bay – one packed with standout events that brought neighbours together for fun, fitness, philanthropy and plenty of cultural exchange. Let’s take a look PHOTOS COURTESY OF Andrew Spires, Sanday Chongo Kabange, Xing Ni Liu & DBSML If 2025 proved anything, it’s that Discovery Bay’s widely acclaimed community spirit is alive and thriving. Residents and management alike stepped up with a year-long, event-filled social calendar – a testament to a place filled with people who work hard, play hard and care deeply about connecting with one another. It's been a remarkable year bursting with activity – and while it’s impossible to mention every event, here’s a look at some of the highlights. CULTURAL EXCHANGE DB is arguably the most culturally diverse residential neighbourhood in all of Hong Kong, and nothing showcases that better than its festival calendar. From Chinese New Year to Halloween, Easter to Christmas, the plazas and promenades are – always – decorated, animated and alive with activity. 2025 kicked off with joyful celebrations for the Year of the Snake, featuring lion dances, festive workshops and a buzzing atmosphere across the plazas. The monthly DB Plant Market also continued to grow into an event in its own right, drawing crowds with its auspicious CNY offerings. A major contributor to the cultural tapestry this year was DB-based NGO One World Spirit Association (OWS), which works tirelessly to promote Chinese and Western cultural exchange. In January, they hosted a Fai Chun Calligraphy Workshop and Competition at Midvale Village, followed by a lively CNY Village Party that featured Hanfu dress-ups, throw-pot games and paper-cutting workshops. OWS’ year-round efforts also included cultural tours to Guilin and Tibet, a series of Chinese etiquette seminars and this month’s St Nicholas visits. On February 14, residents were invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Snoopy to mark the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip – couples gathered on Tai Pak Beach amid giant Snoopy- inspired candle lights, with live music by The Flame adding sparkle to the night. The Easter break proved just as lively, with the 18th DB Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival drawing children aged three to 10 to Tai Pak Beach on April 18 and 19. As Halloween approached, DB embraced the spook early with the annual night market on October 26 at DB South Plaza. Over 50 vendors dressed in their scariest best, while dogs stole the show at the ‘Hallo-Woof’ pet runway contest. On the big night itself, seemingly everyone in the community headed to Headland Drive to trick-or-treat. A longstanding community favourite, and a true celebration of local culture, the DB Dragon Boat Gala – now in its 35th year – returned to Tai Pak Beach in November, drawing 800+ enthusiastic paddlers and supporting Hong Kong Cancer Fund. And so to December 2025 – DB’s plazas have once again transformed into a European-inspired Winter Wonderland, complemented by Christmas markets, festive family activities and Cantopop performances. (For more on this month’s happenings, turn to page 4.) BIG-TICKET EVENTS With its open spaces and spectacular beachfront, DB continues to attract major city-wide and international events. A sporting highlight this year was the hosting of two ITF BT100 / BT10 Beach Tennis World Tour events at Tai Pak Beach, in April and November. These International Tennis Federation- sanctioned tournaments brought top global players to DB to compete across men’s, women’s, mixed and over-40s categories – and DB residents got to enjoy the matches for free. Music lovers were in for a treat in July as Nextwave XX25 Beach Music Festival returned to Tai Pak Beach on July 5 and 6, drawing some 4,000 attendees. With seven live performances each day and headliners including Eric Chou, Chung Ha and ITZY, the festival was supported by food stalls, a marketplace and a massive sea park. Hot on its heels came DB Summer Splashtopia, in place from July 17 to August 31 – a perennial favourite among families. Hong Kong’s biggest beach waterpark featured eight giant inflatables, a 10-metre water slide and endless splash-tastic games. Another high-profile sports event – the third DB Open Water Race Challenge – dropped on August 31 with Tai Pak and Sam Pak beaches packed to the gills. Organised by Open Water Swim Series HK, the event was open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, with race distances ranging from 400m to 3.8km. October saw the Lantau Yacht Club Boat Show – Festa Nautica, which showcased Hong Kong’s growing profile as a yachting hub, and brought yacht owners, industry professionals and curious residents together. ECO & WELLNESS INITIATIVES DB’s commitment to sustainability and wellness shone throughout 2025, kicking off with a Nature Exploration Workshop at Central Park on January 18, where families enjoyed outdoor workshops, games and a treasure hunt. September’s DB Wellness Day was another highlight at DB Plaza with dance performances, athletic demos, pet and parent-child yoga sessions, and a wellness-themed market. Supported by management’s ongoing community- wide eco initiatives, homegrown environmental charities Plastic Free Seas and DB Green once again led the charge for sustainability, organising workshops, campaigns and monthly beach clean- ups throughout 2025. Residents also benefited from management-led recycling events, blood-donation drives and pet-vaccination days. JUST FOR KIDS DB is nothing if not child-focused, and there’s a place for young residents at almost every community event. Beyond the family-centric seasonal events and year-round workshops at Discovery Bay Office Centre, two major youth sporting fixtures stand out – the HLG Kart Race and Team Fear Junior Challenge. The HLG Kart Race on November 22 saw more than 100 young competitors, aged 7 to 12, race karts provided by Harvey Law Group down an eight-foot- high ramp set up on Discovery Bay Road cycle lane. The event, now in its 10th edition, has become a beloved annual spectacle with proceeds going to Heep Hong Society. On November 30, nearly 600 youngsters, aged 8 to 17, took part in the Team Fear Junior Challenge, an adrenaline-packed race involving running, coasteering, kayaking and rock scrambling across DB. Racers competed in teams of two, with sponsorship funds directed to Youth Outreach. RUNNING & SPORTS With ‘traffic-free’ roads and easy access to the Lantau trails, DB is a haven for runners, and it follows that road and trail races are on offer year-round. The most high-profile annual event has to be the DB leg of Action Asia Events’ Action Sprint Trail Series, which headed out from DB Plaza on May 18 this year, with runners blitzing 9km and 12km courses. Numerous races were organised by residents, for residents: in April, DB Runners hosted a backyard ultra with 22 participants doing twice hourly loops around DB North, until there was only one person left ‘standing’. November 1 brought the hugely popular DB10K Charity Run, open to runners, walkers, families and pets, with funds raised going to Hong Kong Paws Foundation and Tails of Lantau. Sporting events from clubs across DB – including Lantau Boat Club, DB Yacht Club, DB Pirates, DB Football Club, DB Golf Club and more – kept the athletic spirit alive all year. And there was plenty on offer at DB Recreation Club, notably November’s fiercely contested 18th Tennis Charity Cup. A COMMUNITY WITH HEART While 2025 was filled with altruistic events, none captured DB’s spirit of giving back more than Helper Appreciation Month in May. Throughout the month, residents, schools and businesses offered free activities – including yoga, football, HYROX training, music lessons and beach tennis – to DB aunties to celebrate their incredible contributions. Helper Appreciation Month was a reminder that at its core, DB is a community defined not just by activity, but by connection, kindness and shared celebration. Here’s to the people who planned, participated in and supported local events this year. And here’s to an even brighter, bolder, more event-filled 2026!

How much do you know about the month of December? 01. What do Christians celebrate on Christmas Day, December 25? A. The birth of Jesus Christ B. The resurrection of Jesus Christ C. The end of Lent 02. Which Grammy-award winning singer was born on December 18, 2001? A. Billie Eilish B. Taylor Swift C. Phoebe Bridgers 03. What do Buddhists celebrate on Bodhi Day, December 8? A. Buddha’s teachings B. Buddha’s enlightenment C. Buddha’s birthday 04. Where was novelist Joseph Conrad born on December 3, 1857? A. Ukraine B. Poland C. Hungary 05. What is December’s Jewish Festival of Lights known as? A. Rosh Hashana B. Yom Kippur C. Hanukkah 06. Which celebrated painter cut off his left ear on December 23, 1888? A. Paul Gauguin B. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec C. Vincent van Gogh 07. Which Wiccan Sabbat falls in December? A. Mabon B. Yule C. Imbolc 08. Which album did the Eagles release on December 8, 1976? A. Desperado B. Hotel California C. The Long Run 09. British novelist Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775: which of the following novels didn’t she write? A. Persuasion B. Northanger Abbey C. Vanity Fair 10. December brings the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere: what is it? A. The shortest day of the year B. The longest day of the year C. The coldest day of the year 11. What is December’s full moon called? A. Ice Moon B. Cold Moon C. Blue Moon 12. In Home Alone, where do the McCallisters plan to spend Christmas? A. Rome B. Prague C. Paris 13. What are December’s zodiac signs? A. Sagittarius and Capricorn B. Sagittarius and Scorpio C. Capricorn and Aquarius 14. Which franchise released all of its movies in December (2001, 2002, 2003)? A. Fifty Shades B. Twilight Saga C. Lord of the Rings 15. Which British band released Second Coming on December 5, 1994? A. The Stone Roses B. Oasis C. Joy Division 16. What is December’s birthstone? A. Turquoise B. Lapis Lazuli C. Sapphire 17. Which classical composers were both born in December? A. Bach and Schubert B. Mozart and Beethoven C. Haydn and Gluck 18. Which British actresses share a December 28 birthday? A. Maggie Smith and Sienna Miller B. Emily Blunt and Emma Thompson C. Keira Knightley and Kate Winslet 19. Permanent December is the seventh track on which Miley Cyrus album? A. Breakout B. Can’t be Tamed C. Bangerz 20. On which day does Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker take place? A. Christmas Eve B. Christmas Day C. New Year’s Eve