Christmas Season Greeting and Gift Exchange in Cambodia

Christmas celebration is not new in Cambodia young generation especially among school students and university students. This occasion is always one of the best occasion of the year for gift exchange and friendship. Many people love this season because the weather is nice and before end of year so they can plan for all the good trip and outing with friends and family. Visiting Cambodia during this season is very recommended. 

What young people normally do during Christmas time is they prepare a small gift for gift exchange in their class or at their church or somewhere that convenience for them to have a meeting up. The best place where they can find the best gift for their friend is some places like the bookshop, souvenir shops, jewelry shop and at the market. That's why business people who sell these kind of gifts make a good business during this season the whole month of December every year. I personally buy many gifts for my family, my co-workers, my friends and my loved one. 

Normally, I go to the bookstore since I love reading book and get Christmas card for my friends. 

I love what people of this generation innovating and bringing up with their new ideas as long as they have the right attitude and respecting the rules and regulation of our beloved country (Cambodia).  

Cultural opposition ideas

However, there are some cultural opposition ideas that want to stop having Christmas or celebrating this event in Cambodia because it is said that this is not belong to Cambodia and Cambodian should not practice it. I heard often people talks on the news especially for those who conserve to the old believe which don't want to touch or experience new thing. Probably, they don't want to use computer or any hi-tech product because those are not belong to Cambodia too lolz. 

Places that celebrate Christmas celebration party are commonly happen at the following:

• Churches: a place where people gathering their church members and guests to listen to the Christmas story, dancing, singing Christmas songs, playing some fun games, exchanging gifts and enjoy foods
• School: A place where student meet up and exchange gift to their friends like their classmates and sometime they give a gift of appreciation to their teacher
• Orphanage: this is a place where they celebrate Christmas for the orphanage to give them a great time of the year like gifts and food and playing fun games
• At home: a place for those who like to exchange gift among their family member - most likely are Christian family
• Work place: for staffs or co-worker to have a Christmas party celebration and exchanging gift with fun games or dancing to end the party
• Hotel: there are promotion every year at the hotel in Phnom Penh where you can find out to enjoy your Christmas celebration at their best discount of the year. Check out at the nearest hotel or newsstand to get the news of the celebration
• Open area: there are some companies organizing some fund occasion during this season like concert or exhibition or time for shopping. Normally at the park by the river front near the Royal Palace or somewhere around that place