Hong Kong children bring gingerbread men to life as Gold Coast Hotel gives underprivileged residents a Christmas to remember
- The baking workshop was one part of a fun-filled day under the collaboration with Operation Santa Claus, jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK
- In addition to outdoor games and a Christmas buffet, the seaside hotel also gave families a crash course in biodiversity during a tour of its farming facilities
Fifteen children from underprivileged Hong Kong families enjoyed an early Christmas last month when they crafted gingerbread men for the first time at a hotel in Tuen Mun.
After each of the children was given six packs of large, plain gingerbread men, 15 pairs of creative hands began to decorate the confections: white, red and green-tinted icing became festive clothing, candy sprinkles substituted for dazzling jewellery and chocolate beads were used for eyes.
Management and staff at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel helped children get outfitted in gloves, aprons and Santa hats, then provided tips to those in need of guidance. Waves of laughter filled the air as each hands-on dessert took on its own distinct look.
“I want to make the most beautiful gingerbread man for my lovely mum,” said nine-year-old Yan Ho-tin, as he carefully tossed some sprinkles onto the biscuit before the icing dried.
“I am happy that he enjoyed the whole process of creating some art”, his mother, Guan Chunping, said, adding that two years ago, both of her sons joined the gingerbread-making workshop hosted by the seaside hotel.
The November 27 workshop and party were part of a collaboration between Operation Santa Claus (OSC), an annual charity drive co-organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK since 1988, and Sino Hotels Group, which runs the beachside facility.
In addition to the cookie making, the youngsters, beneficiaries of the charity J Life Foundation, were treated to a Christmas buffet and some outdoor fun, including bowling and playing minigolf at the hotel’s square.
J Life Foundation is a local charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged families in Sham Shui Po – one of Hong Kong’s poorer neighbourhoods – by providing food distribution and education empowerment.
During the day, the 15 children and their parents were also invited to roam around the Gold Coast Farm – an organic estate on the hotel’s premises – where staff gave them a tour of all the fruits, vegetables and plants available, such as papaya, kale and rosemary.
After that, they made their way to the hotel’s Butterflies and Herbs Garden, where the fragrance of nectar attracts more than 30 species of butterflies when the plants are blooming.
The festive occasion was capped off with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the hotel’s lobby.
“The joy of Christmas is all about loving and caring,” said Gold Coast general manager Robert Hon Pang-ching. “We are glad to have the opportunity to create family engagement between parents and the kids, and showcase love and care to all in the community.”
Hon added that the hotel hopes to instil a green and wellness-focused mindset by immersing the families in nature and biodiversity during their visit. “This also echoes well with our hotel motto: nature, leisure, pleasure,” he said.
For more than a decade, apart from making monetary contributions, the Sino Hotels Group has invited dozens of children to the Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel for parties and events as part of its collaboration with OSC.
“This is our 11th year to work with OSC, and I believe there are another 11 years to come,” said Hon, lauding the fundraiser for helping a wide range of charities and enabling the group to reach out to those in need.
