KUALA LUMPUR — Festive cheer filled the air nationwide today as Christians made last-minute preparations ahead of Christmas celebrations tomorrow, with shopping centres and public spaces adorned in vibrant, winter-themed decorations.

In the federal capital, decorations trader Dawt Hlei Sung, 42, said her family would observe a simple Christmas this year.

“My husband and I, together with our daughter and my parents-in-law, will attend church for prayers,” she said, adding that she still planned to buy a gift for her daughter despite the last-minute preparations.

In MELAKA, the streets of the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir continued to draw visitors with their distinctive Christmas decorations.

Melaka Portuguese Heritage and Crafts chairman Marina Linda Danker said most members of the Kristang community began preparations as early as last month, with the celebration having attracted about 50,000 local and international visitors so far.

“The tradition of decorating homes with Christmas trees, reindeer, colourful ornaments and religious figurines remains strong among the 118 houses, home to about 1,400 residents,” she said, adding that large crowds were expected on Christmas Eve as visitors gather to view and photograph the festive displays.