THE mercury drops, and our pace turns cheerful and light. These are signs that another heart-warming Christmas is just around the corner. This year, Father Christmas will once again travel on his sleigh to places with and without snow alike to turn children’s dreams into reality.

Between Saturday and Dec. 27, Palm Court at The Langham, Shenzhen invites you to join the hotel in creating Christmas surprises for 24 children with congenital heart diseases. While enjoying exquisite Christmas desserts, scented coffee and teas, and special Christmas drinks, you can also play a role in making the dreams of a child come true.

Melodic music, aromatic mulled wine, fresh green Christmas trees, and tender shadows cast by the warm afternoon sun are holiday features of Shenzhen’s afternoon tea spot Palm Court.

During Christmas, the hotel’s executive pastry chef Francesco Mannino is ready to turn this location all the more special, making by hand a dazzling array of adorable and much-loved Christmas desserts in classical green and red variations.

Such desserts include black currant chestnut tartlet with “Rudolph antlers,” a lovely “Christmas tree” loaded with sweet tropical fruits on the top of a black forest cake, and a white chocolate “snowflake” fallen with sweet wishes, all of which carry special meanings for Christmas.

In addition, Palm Court will provide special Christmas mulled wine and eggnog, as well as an array of carefully-selected Wedgwood teas, filling this Christmas with sweet happiness.

In addition to savoring delicacies, Christmas is also a time to give warmth and love. Since its opening, The Langham, Shenzhen has been striving to provide attentive care in order to help underprivileged children grow up in good health. This season, the hotel will join hands with the Shenzhen Handpicked Love Foundation once again in granting the wishes of children with congenital heart diseases.

The 24 children come from disadvantaged areas in Hainan, Hunan, Guangxi and Guangdong, and they were given a chance to name their desired present for this Christmas. With innocent hearts come simple wishes. It turned out that ordinary, useful gifts such as a new schoolbag, a new down coat, or just a doll or toy are already enough to make these Christmas wishes come true. To grant them their wishes, you simply need to inform our staff of your participation and the hotel will share half of the cost with you. This seemingly small act can make a big difference in a child’s life.

Christmas is a very magical time of year that brings people both happiness and contentment. Let’s give and contribute. Join us in delivering kindness and promoting charity this holiday season.(SD News)