00:00We are here on Pataling Street and behind me is Neel Laisy, a family-owned gift and decor store that has been operating for more than two decades.
00:12Here, Christmas comes early.
00:15The festive mood is felt as early as August when baubles, wreaths, garlands and stockings begin to fill the shelves,
00:23while Christmas trees sprout beside snowmen in a made-out wintry wonderland.
00:29FMT spoke to Amelia Wong, the owner's daughter, and her partner, Chong Ek Hung, who is also the newest member of the team.
00:38Neel Laisy started from my parents, started in the year 2000, so that was even before I was born.
00:45Wong says Neel Laisy start selecting Christmas decorations as early as March, so they can be well prepared for the Christmas season.
00:54Whenever, because we choose our stocks quite early in the year, so March or April, what will happen when it comes to be like Christmas, which is like six or seven months later, right?
01:05It's more of a relief, actually, that whatever we pick is actually doing okay.
01:10Oh, that makes me feel so fulfilled and relieved, honestly.
01:15For Wong, the business is not about making a sale. It is a way of keeping traditions alive and sharing them with the next generation.
01:25For us Malaysians, we're such a multicultural nation, right? As someone who has a background in all this festive decor stuff, I feel a certain responsibility to carry out this tradition and spread more awareness in our younger generation to continue this tradition in celebrating our holidays.
01:45One of Wong's favourite parts of the Christmas season is seeing customers personalise their Christmas trees, adding their own touches to create unique displays.
01:56Yeah, they do send us pictures of their Christmas tree set up, and then I'm like, oh wow, I didn't know you could decorate it in this way, because they also personalise it with maybe their kid's teddy bear as an ornament, yeah.
02:08Beyond private homes, New Lise's products are now displayed in hotels, restaurants and other businesses across the Klang Valley.
02:17Chong recalls the pride he felt when he spotted New Lise's unique designs at one of Kuala Lumpur's most visited shopping malls.
02:26For example, last night we just went to Pavilion, and then I saw some of the shops actually having our decorations.
02:32I feel like we achieved something, because our products are more well spread now.
02:37Whether you're hunting for a last minute gift, or soaking in the festive atmosphere, New Lise shows that the magic of the holidays can be enjoyed all year round.
02:48Mirato, FMT.
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