Christmas Shopping

[whophant]

Hi all,

 

I'll be in Chiang Mai this weekend for some Christmas shopping, and was wondering if anybody knew of a gift shop were I might find things like music boxes, nice snow globes, ceramics or other (new, used or antique) western or western-style gifts?

 

I've found some things at Central, but they tend to be pretty cheaply made - even when they are fairly expensive - and so I'm looking for something a bit nicer.

 

If anybody knows of any nice gift shops, antique shops or anything similar, I would be most appreciative!

 

Thanks,

Jim

[soalbundy]

Christmas shopping in Thailand?.....Snow globes, good Lord...whatever rocks your boat I suppose.

[whophant]

Thanks, that's enormously helpful - Merry Christmas!

[swm59nj]

At least the OP has the Christmas spirit.  And can afford to purchase things.  Not the typical miserable poster you will find on the forums. 
I lived in Bangkok.  But I hope the following helps in Chiang  Mai. 
 

https://chiangmaifamilyguide.com/essential-guide-to-christmas-in-chiang-mai/

[whophant]

Thanks for the guide, swm59nj - a lot of fun stuff going on.

 

Hope you're having a great holiday season! 

[bbi1]

On 12/7/2023 at 4:19 PM, whophant said:

Hi all,

 

I'll be in Chiang Mai this weekend for some Christmas shopping, and was wondering if anybody knew of a gift shop were I might find things like music boxes, nice snow globes, ceramics or other (new, used or antique) western or western-style gifts?

You do realise Thailand is predominantly a buddhist country and they don't celebrate Xmas. Not sure who'd you be buying Xmas gifts for, is it another Westerner you plan to give these gifts to?

 

I believe Thais still go to work, don't have a public holiday and the kids still go to school on Xmas day. You're not in the West anymore so go with the flow of Thailand ;)

Edited December 8, 2023 by bbi1

[amexpat]

Thais celebrate christmas, halloween,  or any time to have a party. And certainly a lucrative occasion like xmas.

Big decorated trees in malls, annoying music, all that stuff. 

[CM Dad]

Visit Kalm in the old city.  Even if nothing catches your eye, it's a very interesting place to visit.

[freeworld]

14 hours ago, swm59nj said:

At least the OP has the Christmas spirit.  And can afford to purchase things.  Not the typical miserable poster you will find on the forums. 
I lived in Bangkok.  But I hope the following helps in Chiang  Mai. 
 

https://chiangmaifamilyguide.com/essential-guide-to-christmas-in-chiang-mai/

What is this Christmas spirit....for most it seems a desire to get a gift they have been ogling and just spending money and buying stuff?

[Grumpy one]

14 hours ago, swm59nj said:

At least the OP has the Christmas spirit.  And can afford to purchase things.  Not the typical miserable poster you will find on the forums. 
I lived in Bangkok.  But I hope the following helps in Chiang  Mai. 
 

https://chiangmaifamilyguide.com/essential-guide-to-christmas-in-chiang-mai/

Bah Hum Bug 

[gomangosteen]

11 hours ago, bbi1 said:

You do realise Thailand is predominantly a buddhist country and they don't celebrate Xmas. Not sure who'd you be buying Xmas gifts for, is it another Westerner you plan to give these gifts to?

 

I believe Thais still go to work, don't have a public holiday and the kids still go to school on Xmas day. You're not in the West anymore so go with the flow of Thailand ;)

Not all Thailand. Not all 'they' either.

 

Five churches within 20 minutes of our home in rural Chanthaburi, the cathedral in Chan city is on a site established 1711 with a diocese congregation over 40,000. 

 

Thousands will attend the sound and light show in cathedral grounds over the seven nights pre-25th.

 

Our town has a church plus associated junior and high schools, the streets will be closed for annual Xmas eve parade followed by celebrations at the church leading up to mass at midnight. 

 

Xmas will be celebrated.

[Thailand]

On 12/8/2023 at 3:19 PM, soalbundy said:

Christmas shopping in Thailand?.....Snow globes, good Lord...whatever rocks your boat I suppose.

And you wonder why people are reluctant to post on TV nowadays.

[soalbundy]

18 minutes ago, Thailand said:

And you wonder why people are reluctant to post on TV nowadays.

Only the wimps. Some people like Christmas others don't, each to his own. Christmas is more a cultural thing that needs the right atmosphere than a religious festival, there certainly isn't the right atmosphere in the tropics and snow globes are the kitsch equivalent of garden gnomes.

[Prubangboy]

Def not the White Market in Nimman. Was there last night and didn't see a single Christmas item. No surprise; most of the tourists there are Chinese.

 

I think you need Bangkok-level foot traffic to not go broke with a quality Christmas knick knack store.  Central Festival was your best shot and Bangkok-wise, it's not a proper mega-mall.