Apart from the festive lights on the skyscrapers and the promotions in the shopping malls, Christmas in Hong Kong is normally a lowkey occasion. Locals jet off for short-haul breaks. Expats go home for the holidays. But if you're looking to avoid the peak flight and hotel costs, you might want to stay in Hong Kong.

Whether your hopes for a Christmas trip are dashed, or whether you're secretly glad to hunker down for a more intimate Christmas – here are some tips from the Floristics Co. team on how to bring some Christmas joy into your Hong Kong apartment.

TIP 1: Hold A Potluck Christmas Lunch

If you're a working professional rushing to get projects finished before the holidays, your Christmas probably doesn't start until clocking-off time around 4PM on Christmas Eve. Which doesn't give you a lot of time to get in the festive mood, or prep a fancy Christmas meal. That's why a potluck Christmas lunch is ideal, both for if you're dining with extended family or with close friends.

Or if no one is up for cooking, you can put together a quick Christmas lunch with a quick shopping trip around town. Many restaurants and shops in Hong Kong open on Christmas Day, so if you're one of those people who find Turkey a bit dry (especially store-bought, pre-cooked ones), opt for a rotisserie chicken along with their vegetable sides. Then a quick stop at an international supermarket for some Christmas crackers, finger foods, mince pies for dessert, and of course supplies to make mulled wine.

TIP 2: Skip The Tree

Unless your apartment is more than 1,000 square feet, putting in a Christmas tree in Hong Kong always seems a bit of a squeeze. But that doesn't mean you can't bring some festive mood into your home.

Light a fir/cedar/pine scented candle, and order in a winter themed bouquet or two. Naturally, Floristics Co. has two which we think are pretty perfect for the job: Our Peach Romance Bouquet, is a mix of deep maroon, crisp peach and fresh foliage to celebrate the cooler season. And our Winter Wonderland Bouquet is a merry and bright bunch of winter roses, thistles and berries. Order now, and choose any delivery date up until Christmas Eve*.

TIP 3: Keep The Kids Entertained

Our Floristics Co. colleagues who have kids always bring home a Floristics Co. flower box or two. Flower arranging is a Montessori method of activity-based learning, and it's also the perfect way for children to be involved in getting a home ready for Christmas. Just be careful to remove any thorns first, and don’t let young kids handle the shears.

Flower arranging is a perfect activity to go alongside other Christmas kids activities such as decorating store-bought gingerbread (or if you’re more ambitious, gingerbread made from raw dough!)

TIP 4: Gift Generously

For family that's far away, or for friends stranded from loved ones, now's the perfect time to send a "I'm thinking of you" present, such as a seasonal bouquet of flowers.

From everyone at Floristics Co., we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season!