CHRISTMAS is always among the most important occasions for spending time with our family, friends and loved ones. Guests were treated to a night of delight with an opera performance, ballet dance, songs of love, joy and happiness, and more marking the start of the annual celebration of the best season of the year. The festive season just began with “The Opera Night” Christmas tree lighting ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen.

The ceremony welcomed more than 100 guests, and the choir from Shen Wai International School brought festive joy with lovely Christmas songs. Santa Claus also came bringing exquisite presents and tailor-made candies from the hotel.

The dramatic three-story atrium of the hotel lobby, echoing the lobby’s design with a focal curved wall made of wood and back-lit golden-hued onyx, made the perfect traditional opera house and took the guests right to Europe. This year, the hotel once again presented an artistic night with classical Italian opera and an elegant ballet performance.

In partnership with the Shenzhen Min’ai Disabled Children’s Welfare Center, Iwan R. Dietschi, multi-property vice president and general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen, launched the Gingerbread House Charity Event, now in its ninth year of combining the Community Footprints program of The Ritz-Carlton with the festivities of the season. Started in 2010 by Dietschi, this program has become a tradition of the hotel to help the children of the Shenzhen Min’ai Disabled Children’s Welfare Center.

From now until Dec. 31, join the event by purchasing a gingerbread brick with your name or photo on it, which will be used to construct a charming gingerbread house built with love. All proceeds will be donated to the Shenzhen Min’ai Disabled Children’s Welfare Center.

For the upcoming festive season, you are all invited to embark on a gastronomic journey in the oasis of luxury. Offering seasonal buffet celebrations at Flavorz, themed afternoon tea at Onyx, romantic dinner at Paletto Italian restaurant, or the countdown party at Curv Bar, the hotel is set to bring you a wide array of exciting celebrations.(SD News)