Wishing that long-haul flights, fuel increases and the financial crisis would just go away? Well, fear not. Instead of flying overseas trying to please the extended family, save your time, energy and cash with a great Christmas and New Year right here.

Best Christmas Brunch - Pan Pacific
The Pan Pacific is in full festive swing offering one of the most decadent champagne-fuelled feasts in town. Its regular Sunday champagne brunch aside, the Christmas spirit is positively effervescing at Global Kitchen. Crab, mussels, oysters, smoked salmon, roast turkey and honey baked ham, chocolate log cake and eggnog add to the Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch offerings. With more being the merrier, the unlimited free flow Veuve Clicquot champagne, wines and beers has to be the sweetest icing on the cake this year. Voted one of the top 50 Asian hotels by Conde Nast Traveller, the Pan Pacific is in the heart of Marina Bay, with 37 floors and the tallest atrium in Asia, making it a perfect viewing location for the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
Christmas Eve Dinner, 6.30 – 10.30pm; $148++, Christmas Day Brunch,12 – 3pm; $138++. Pan Pacific, 7 Raffles Blvd Tel: +65 6826 8240 www.panpacific.com

Best Meal With A Festive View – The Jewel Box At Mount Faber
For a Christmas meal with a view, sky dining at The Jewel Box is the way to go. Board the cable car with your family or friends and take the two-hour cruise to Sentosa and back while enjoying a four-course meal with wine and all the trimmings. Included is complimentary entry to The Jewel Box, which hosts the tallest Christmas tree in Asia, the Jewel Christmas Light Show extravaganza and a pretty Snow Show. Slip off the cable car at the top and the most spectacular night view of Singapore lights up the sky. Now in its fourth year, check out Sky Symphony 2009 – the New Year firework display, complete with pyrotechnics.
Sky dining, $115 for three courses per couple or $197 for four courses with wine (includes free entry to The Jewel Box. The Jewel Box, Mount

Best Festive Event Line-Up – Christmas In The Tropics
A fairytale theme, a crystal forest, dazzling lights and magic harps. Sound like a Kylie concert? It’s Christmas in the Tropics, the annual light-up ceremony and six-week-long festivities along Orchard Road. The light-up is a highlight of the year for visitors and residents alike – and it’s not hard to see why. Each mall along the Orchard Road stretch will be working hard to outdo the next shopping centre, with decorations getting fancier by the year.

This Christmas it’s all about the Sweet Family. The Sweets welcome visitors into their home of sumptuous candies and magical lights. Streets are transformed into a candyland covered with all manner of goodies. It promises to be a hyper time for kids of all ages.

If your little one is looking for the tradition of making a wish with Santa, you can catch the beloved old man at Tangs and other shopping malls. Other attractions include the vivid Christmas parade along Orchard Road, and the quirky Christmas Village at Plaza Singapura. Most events are free and tourists also get a complimentary 30-minute open-bus tour to take in the spectacular lights on Orchard Road. There are too many attractions during the Christmas period to list here — for complete and up-to-date listings check with the Singapore Tourism Board. Tel: 1800-736-2000, www. visitsingapore.com

Best Ball - Raffles New Year’s Eve Gala Ball
If there’s one ball to go to this New Year in Singapore, it’s the Raffles New Year’s Eve Gala Ball. Set in the landmark Raffles hotel the grand festivities, colonial architecture and lofty ceilings all make for a fitting end to one year and fine start to the next. Extravagant, it is. But then it is Raffles, and if you have money to haemorrhage - go for it. A mere $650++ per person, this ball shouts glamour and decadence. The evening begins with pre-dinner cocktails and canapés, followed by a six-course dinner with a live international band and a spectacular balloon drop at midnight. And yes, of course it is black tie.
Raffles New Year’s Eve Gala Ball, $650++, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd Tel: +65 6337 1886, www.raffleshotel.com