Christmas is a magical time of year. We get to express our love and affection to those around us. From families and friends to strangers and communities, whether in our homeland or overseas. There are plenty of activities to fill your holiday with positivity and joy for the whole family: learning to cook a local dish, donating to charity, taking a cute family photoshoot or having a fancy Christmas dinner. We list four wholesome activities to celebrate Christmas in Bali.
Learning to cook using local ingredients
Tempeh is a uniquely Indonesian, protein-rich and savory fermented soybean cake that is adored by many vegetarians around the world. It is rarely manufactured in a massive factory, unlike other commercial foods, which means tempeh is almost always produced locally by the nearest household.
In this educational program, you get to meet a typical local tempeh producer in North Denpasar. He or she will show and guide you through the process of creation. Then you get to learn how to cook it in a traditional Indonesian dish, sayur urap.
Volunteering in your holidays
Bali Spirit NGO is a nice little hub to find volunteering opportunities that resonate with your heart. Here are a couple of examples.
Yayasan Senyum is a health service for families of lower economic status, whose family members suffer from craniofacial disabilities, such as cleft lip, palate, facial tumors, and others. They run a charity shop called the Smile Shop (the word ‘senyum’ means ‘smile’) selling new and second-hand clothes and toys.
Villa Kitty Bali is a non-profit shelter and vet for abandoned or abused kittens and cats. They rescue, rehabilitate, and put felines into adoption, as well as educating others about responsible pet ownership and respecting the Balinese wildlife.
Unique photoshoot session at Upside Down World Bali
Upside Down World Bali is a unique art museum that also acts as a photo studio, with a literal twist. You may find yourself in a dining room, kitchen or master bedroom, but you wouldn’t recognize where you were immediate until you tilt and twist your head to find that all the furniture and features are upside down!
Do silly poses with a camera angled a certain way to give fascinating illusions. The friendly staff and professional photographers can help you decide how to make the best of your photoshoot. 3D art is also featured in some rooms for more wacky photos.
Fancy Christmas Dinner
Merah Putih Restaurant Indonesia in Seminyak is a high-value family restaurant whose philosophy of togetherness in a shared moment is reflected by its courses. “Indonesian food is typically eaten family-style, and we encourage this convivial tradition at Merah Putih,” they quote.
Food is set in the middle of the table to share and sample together. The two distinct courses – traditional and baru (modern) – let you relish the simple age-old regional cuisines “with selected tender meats… and the very best of aromatic spices.”
Discover something new in the baru course, which is an evolved creation of the local cuisine, taking the cutting-edge culinary wisdom to the test. It will be fun, enlightening, and wholesome altogether.
Bali can be a treat for those looking for spiritual joy in sharing, volunteering, and learning about other cultures. At the end of a wholesome day, treat yourself with the same kind of love and affection. Stay in Seminyak with us at The Colony Hotel and let us give back to you by providing the best hospitality and services we can offer. We are a boutique hotel that welcomes adults from 16 years and above.