Preparing for Christmas can be a taxing affair – from putting up the Christmas tree to shopping for presents and cooking up an elaborate spread. Sit back, relax and take a moment to enjoy the holidays with these programmes.
Oh, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Christmas Day
The Madagascar Penguins In A Christmas Caper
(DreamWorks HD, HyppTV Ch 550, 10.30am)
Taking place before the events of Madagascar, the youngest of the penguins, Private, sneaks out of the zoo on Christmas Eve to get a present for a lonely bear. Along the way, a feisty grandma (remember her from the first movie?) mistakes him for a chew toy and gives him to her dog. The rest of the penguins must work together and save Private before it’s too late. Voice cast includes Christopher Knights, Chris Miller and Tom McGrath.
Blaze And The Monster Machines
(NickJr, HyppTV Ch 552, 11.15am)
Monster Machine Christmas – In this Christmas episode, Blaze and AJ are helping Santa to fill up his magic bag with presents on Christmas Eve. But Crusher, who can’t wait to find out what he got from Santa, decides to sneak into the bag but accidentally knocks it over, sending all the world’s presents flying away.
Nigellissima: Christmas Special
(BBC Lifestyle HD, HyppTV Ch 620, 3.15pm)
Need some last-minute Christmas-themed recipes for tonight? Perhaps Nigella Lawson can help. She’s cooking up a scrumptious Italian Christmas spread.
Are We There Yet?
(TV9, Astro Ch 119/HyppTV Ch 109, 4pm)
Nick hates kids but in an effort to win the newly-divorced Suzanne’s heart, he offers to accompany her two children on a flight from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, Canada. In a strange turn of events, they miss the plane and also the train, and Nick has no choice but to drive them there. Starring Ice Cube and Nia Long.
Merry Ex-Mas
(Diva, Astro Ch 702, 7.45pm)
After Katrina and DeMarco’s divorce, the latter has moved on and found love again. He is planning a Christmas wedding with is fiancee Vilisa but the jealous Katrina won’t have any of it, scheming to ruin the big day. Starring London Brown, Angell Conwell and Faune Watkins.
Master Of The Drunken Fist: Beggar So
(HBO, Astro Ch 411, 9pm)
The affluent So Chan loses everything in one day, his family and his family’s wealth, after getting framed in a political conspiracy. The Beggars’ Sect takes him in and teaches him the long lost martial art – the Drunken Fist – to seek revenge for his loved ones.
This HBO Asia original production stars Zhi Hui Chen, Jun Cao and Mei Ying Wan.
A Puppy For Christmas
(Diva, Astro Ch 702, 9.30pm)
Noelle has always wanted to get a puppy but her boyfriend Todd is allergic to the furry animal. She goes ahead and adopts one anyway, putting a strain on her relationship with Todd. He decides to call it quits. Alone for the holidays, she accepts an invitation from her colleague Liam to spend Christmas with his family. Just as the two begin to hit it off, her ex starts reaching out to her again.
Starring Cindy Busby, Greyston Holt and Christopher Russell.
Up
(TV2, Astro Ch 102/HyppTV Ch 102, 10.30pm)
Inspiring and heartwarming, Up is about 78-year-old Carl attempting to fulfil his life-long dream to travel Paradise Falls in South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying away. He is joined on his journey by a persistent little boy.
2014 Dream Concert
(ntv7, Astro Ch 107/HyppTV Ch 107, 11pm)
Have a K-pop themed Christmas with live performances by some of South Korea’s hottest music acts such as EXO, Girls’ Generation, BTOB and U-Kiss.
Boxing Day
Invasion Of The Christmas Lights: Europe
(TLC, Astro Ch 707, 11.38am)
Visit the homes of Christmas lighting enthusiasts in Britain, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium.
Te3n
(Sony Max, HyppTV Ch 308, noon)
Eight years have passed since 70-year-old John’s granddaughter Angela was kidnapped. He hasn’t given up hope on finding her. When a new kidnapping which bears a striking resemblance to Angela’s case takes place, he seeks the help of ex-cop Martin who was in charge of investigating the first kidnapping. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vidya Balan.
Michael Jackson: The Journey
(TV2, Astro Ch 102/HyppTV Ch 102, 2pm)
Learn more about the life of the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, through interviews with family members and his closest confidants in this 2016 documentary.
Family For Christmas
(Diva, Astro Ch 702, 7.45pm)
Hannah is a successful career woman who seems to have everything she ever wanted in life. During her office Christmas party, she reveals her desire to have a family to a man dressed as Santa Claus. The next day, she wakes up and finds herself married to her college sweetheart and has two kids! Starring Lacey Chabert, Tyron Leitso and Milli Wilkinson.
Love Always, Santa
(Diva, Astro Ch 702, 9.30pm)
After the death of her husband, Celia doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to love again. Her daughter decides to write to Santa Claus, wishing her mum would find love again. Later, a struggling writer receives the letter and finds new inspiration … and maybe, romance? Starring Marguerite Moreau, Mike Faiola and Brady Smith.