Can you buy Christmas decorations anywhere in CM? I know it is a bit early to be asking but if I can't buy them here I will get people to bring stuff when they visit in November.

Edited September 14, 201114 yr by CMwanderer

Christmas is hardly a local celebration, in fact it is a normal working day for almost everyone.

In my experience the only place that has any decorations is Central KSK and a few items at Rimping. If you are looking to do the traditional Yule/Santa Claus/Decorations thing then I think that you should look to source stuff from overseas. Personally I gave up on the whole event decades ago when I moved from the UK to Africa. Somehow the whole winter wonderland did not seem to fit with sunshine, barbecue & swimming pool parties & it seems even less relevant here in a Buddhist world. But I do know some who still make the effort. Good luck.

Your local Karaoke supply will carry all the lights you're looking for. As for wreaths, etc try the B2S in the Airport Plaza. Homepro will also put out a couple of things. I don't remember ever being there around Christmas time, but I imagine that Index living mall will have some decorations as well.

but as "brommers" put it, its not quite the same here an very easy to pass it without even noticing....

I'm sure I've seen decorations for-sale, at most major supermarkets, during the 2-month run-up to the 'New Year Present-Buying Season' !

Chiang Mai Plastics has a bunch of stuff--they are on one of the winding sois in the Warowat area.

Makro will preusmably have the same dedicated 'Christmas' decorations section upstairs in the Hang dong branch as they have done in previous years: they've got all the tinsel, streamers, Christmas trees and baubels that most people require! no need ot get them shipped in from abroad. Tower Bridge Foods (Sausage Bob) makes excellent Christmas Puddings, Sausage King has your sausage meat stuffing and chippolata sausages, You'll find turkeys in Makro and the Rimping. Apart from Christmas Crackers which I've never seen anywhere in Chiang Mai, the only things the city can't provide are snow, rain, freezing cold tmperatures and striking train drivers. But I'm quite happy managing without them!!!

Instead of bothering to cater for yourself you could come along to The Olde Bell for a great Christmas Day atmosphere with all the trappings of a British Christmas - except the aforesaid climatic condtions!! Unbelievably, it being mid September - we've already got 4 firm bookings for Christmas Day!!!

Definitely Chiang Mai Plastic for all your holiday needs -- it doesn't matter which holiday, I think they have them all represented, with lots of tacky stuff at cheap prices.

The trick to finding the place is to know how to pronounce "Plastic" in Thai. First, note it's not "Plastics", but rather "Plastic" Put the emphasis on the final part of the word, with a definite rising tone. Just ask anyone walking around in the Warorot area. It's a little south of the food markets, near where they sell the upscale Thai clothing.

As you have read already, there are quite a number of places to find just about anything you wish to celebrate Christmas although I must admit I have not yet sourced crackers. Help anyone?

I will get into Chiang Mai on the 16th December (from London). I'm happy to bring you some xmas decorations, so long as it's not going to occupy too much space. Would you believe in some dept stores are already selling xmas <deleted>.

Edited September 14, 201114 yr by wellred

Is there a way to block threads that contain the word 'christmas'?

^^ Echo that on restaurants or anything by Ian Thorpe, but guess you could always not open them.

Op, all supermarkets have xmas tack. In fact, they seem to make a bigger deal out of it than over there... all in the name of commercialism, of course.

Just because a person lives in a foreign country, doesn't mean he/she has to give up celebrating their national holidays. Some holidays have special memories.

Personally, I don't give a hoot about Christmas, but if someone wants to celebrate it, then it's up to them.

I know Thai's in UK, still regard the Thai King and Queen's birthdays, as mom and pops day. Nothing wrong with that.

And the Thai's here see it as a nice little earner, as do the restaurants. Nothing wrong with that either.

Edited September 15, 201114 yr by uptheos

Thanks for the replies. It's good to know I can find some bits and pieces around.

Firstly, I'm Aussie so Christmas has always been stinking hot, no snow for me.

Secondly, I think it would be mean of me to tell my 2 year old that Santa isn't coming this year just because we are living in another country. Bring on the tacky lights, tinsel and tree for me.

Thirdly, you don't give 2 hoots about Christmas - then why did you open this topic blatently titled 'Christmas'?!

Last year Carrefour department store had a large area displaying artificial Christmas trees, lights, trimmings, wrappings, and even Santa hats and beards (maybe suits too). Now that the store has been taken over by Big C, who knows what they might have available? But the stuff does exist in Thailand, so you should be able to find what you want here in Chiang Mai in a number of different stores.

Yes, I went past Plastics the other day and they had heaps of tacky decorations - tinsel, lights, foil cut out hanging thingies ....

Yes, I went past Plastics the other day and they had heaps of tacky decorations - tinsel, lights, foil cut out hanging thingies ....

Try the top floor of Robinsons, they have a decent selection.