The Christmas jumpers have come out, the eggnog has been poured and the festive lights are illuminating the neighbourhood. Yes, it is that time of the year again – The time for families to come together and make memories that will last a lifetime.
We asked some of our employees what their favourite Christmas memory or tradition is. Compliance Manager, Maddie, told a story about how they take a pre-Christmas lunch stroll every year to prepare themselves for the pigs in a blanket they are about to have. On the other side of the world in South Africa, Global Wealth Manager Greg, also shares an anecdote that involves his favourite festive food, something that seems to be the main feature in everyone’s holiday tradition. He tells the story of how his family debates around the Christmas table on the proportions of the crackling from the gammon every year.
We are sure Wealth Manager Assistant, Connor, would’ve appreciated some crackling in his tree house circa 2004, when he spent the remainder of his December holiday up there after his dad surprised them on Christmas morning with a tree house in the back garden. Wealth Manager Assistant Emilie reminisces about her ‘Broadway’ days as she and her cousins would put on a Christmas play for their family every year.
Growing up in China, Wealth Manager, Difang did not celebrate Christmas, however, she still holds fond memories of the holiday season as they celebrate Chinese New Year in January or February depending on the lunar calendar. She recalls one of her fondest childhood memories as receiving Ya Sui Qian (pocket money wrapped in a red envelope) from all her relatives and having a big family dinner on Chinese New Year’s eve, before watching the Spring Festival Gala on television.