The year-end holidays are just around the corner. What have you planned for the family? This year, celebrations are going to be smaller, but you can still create amazing memories to be treasured for a lifetime, without having to spend a small fortune. Years from now, we’ll look back and talk about the time we celebrated during The New Norm.



A festive feeling for the home

The first thing you can do is make your house look fabulous - on a budget. Here are some tips for home deco that’s Instagram-worthy but won’t break the bank.

A few tastefully-placed lights and little accents can really change the look and feel of your home. If you have some decorative lights from previous years stored away, now is the time to bring them out again. Mr DIY, Shopee and Lazada are great platforms to look for affordable Christmas and New Year decorations. Look for general but tasteful decorations that can be reused for other special occasions. You can use your RHB Debit Card-i or RHB Credit Card online and stand to win up to RM200 cashback and save even more.

If you’re up for a little DIY, you can purchase materials to make your own decorations on these platforms, too. A few pieces of paper or ribbon tastefully put together will look great. Don’t worry if you feel your skills are not up to pro level – it’s really the thought that counts. Besides, your little DIY projects will have a lot of character!

Get the kids involved with the arts and crafts projects. You can give them a set amount that they can use to buy materials, so they’ll learn how to make the best of a budget. Don’t stress about the mess, and have fun. There are plenty of video tutorials for kids that they can watch and learn from. They might even come up with creative ideas of their own. It will also keep them occupied for some time while you plan your holiday meal and activities.

Under civil law, estate inheritance is governed by a number of statutes and regulations. Inheritance is defined by the Distribution Act 1958 and the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1971, both of which lay out the conditions of inheritance.

You can also opt for home deco deals from RHB’s Jom Sapot, which is a great initiative that supports local businesses. Stand to get up to RM650 cashback with participating merchants, and do your bit to help the local economy. Find the full list here.

Even just rearranging your furniture can make your home look like it just went through a professional makeover. Take note of lighting and functionality to make the most of your space. Create a cosy little nook for the family to gather and exchange presents or just hang out. It costs nothing (you can get the kids to help), and you can take that time to declutter your home, too.

celebrating in style
Have a little staycation holiday

We’ve been cooped up in our homes for some time now, so everyone has a little bit of cabin fever from being at home together all day, every day. You can celebrate the holiday in a fresh new environment. Did you know that RHB is partnering with Agoda to offer 20% off on bookings every Tuesday? Rates are already low given the current climate, but you can knock off an additional 20% when you use your RHB Credit Card/-i. Boom! Instant savings.


A little thought in a gift goes a long way

You don’t need to splurge on fancy gifts. With a little manoeuvring, you can get amazing gifts for less than you think. Consider who you are buying the gift for and what their interests and hobbies are.

Take advantage of the offers and benefits on your RHB Debit/Credit card and turn them into gifts. For example, use your RHB Visa Debit Card to get discounts from Book Depository and find the perfect book for a loved one. For those a little more outdoorsy, RHB Debit/Credit card has some great offers with up to 20% off on purchases.

Going DIY on gifts is a good idea, too. A great example would be to sign up for a local pottery class and make custom gifts for the whole family that you can be proud of. You get to make gifts, learn a new skill and support local businesses and artisans. Remember to go easy on yourself, and don’t expect artisanal results the first time around. There’s something very precious and special about that lopsided coffee mug, after all.

Since we won’t be celebrating with a big party with extended family members and friends, let’s send them some presents or cards to let them know we are thinking of them. You can order gifts to be delivered from Jom Sapot. Send some cupcakes specially prepared by little Chef Leah, or surprise them with their favourite cold drink. The kids can help make cards to send to family members. These are sure to be kept and cherished by the recipients, because kids aren’t going to be kids forever. Another no-budget idea is to make simple personalised video greetings for loved ones and friends.



What are we going to eat?

Malaysian holidays are centred around family…and food. If you’re too busy to prepare a meal for the family, you can use RHB X Hungry app to order a festive turkey dinner.

If you’re preparing the meal, decide on the menu and use your RHB Credit Card for cashback on your online purchases. Plan a budget, and stick to it. For some pointers and time-saving recipes using an instant pot, check out this list of recipes.

A simple but delicious meal can also be prepared with the food you have at home. Make a list of ingredients and staples that you already have, and google some recipes that are sure to delight your family. Make it extra special and fancy with simple table decorations. An old glass bottle and fairy lights can be turned into a creative table light. A simple batik cloth become a charming tablecloth with a few small adjustments. Pick a theme to make it fun, and prepare DIY decorations to fit the theme. It doesn’t have to be reindeer and snow (we live in the tropics). Go wild! Make little paper palm trees and paper tigers wearing Christmas hats to go with the rendang and nasi lemak.



What are we going to do?

Outdoor activities are limited and we can’t gather with friends, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take the party online! Send your “guests” a Zoom link and play a few online quizzes and even sing karaoke together. Make your own quiz game using free apps like Kahoot! and let the fun begin.

When you are done with the games, you can bring out the old family photo albums and have a laugh with your family. You can even go digital and prepare a little slideshow of funny memories to share on Zoom with family and friends.

It’s been a rough year, but we made it through. This is the time to celebrate with our loved ones and be thankful for the time we have together. Remember, it’s not about how big the party is, but how big our memories will be.




From all of us at RHB,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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