Alvin Jo, Anggi Marito, Citra Scholastika and Rayen Pono offer tips for spending Christmas alone with hope and jubilation.

After two Christmases that might have felt bittersweet because of the global pandemic, many seem excited to embrace the holiday spirit and welcome Dec. 25 with joy, gratitude and, perhaps, some self-reflection. In that spirit, some of Indonesia's rising musicians share their Christmas stories.

Alvin Jo, singer, songwriter

What is your favorite Christmas song?

My favorite would be “My Grown-Up Christmas List”. I used to love it so much because of the lyrics and melody. The melody is really inviting. It's more because of the melody. I have forgotten the lyrics now!

Compared to past years, what makes this year's Christmas special?

Not really, this year's not special. Maybe it's special because this will be my first Christmas in the entertainment industry, unlike the previous Christmases. I hope to play a show to have some earnings [laughs]. That's all.

Silent night: Singer-songwriter Alvin Jo says that he often spends his Christmas all by himself. (Courtesy of Star Media Nusantara) (Courtesy of Star Media Nusantara/.)

Do you have any Christmas traditions? What are your plans this Christmas?

Honestly, there's no tradition. I plan to book some gigs, sing at churches or something. I was thinking of handing out presents at a retirement home. Yeah, something like that.

What would you consider an ideal Christmas gift?

Wow, this question makes me think. Maybe the ideal Christmas gift is when I get to hang out with my family again. It's been a bit difficult to do that nowadays. Having a lively get-together with the cousins – yeah, that would be the ideal Christmas gift.

What advice would you give readers who are spending Christmas alone this year?

You guys are not alone. I'm always alone every Christmas. I'll spend my Christmas by myself, so no need to worry. There'll come a time when you guys spend your Christmas with someone else.

Anggi Marito, singer

What is your favorite Christmas song?

My favorite Christmas song is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” because I have been listening to that song since I was little and I used to sing it pretty often.

Compared to past years, what makes this year's Christmas special?

This year's Christmas is special because I'll return home, catch up with my mom and my dad and there'll be my opung [grandfather], who has recently stopped by. It feels different from the previous years.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? What are your plans this Christmas?

My plan to celebrate Christmas is just staying at home, going to church and having a get-together with the family.

What would you consider an ideal Christmas gift?

It doesn't have to be grandiose. What's important is that God blesses us with health, grace and strength to carry on with our days. That's already enough.

My only wish (this year): Singer Anggi Marito's ideal Christmas gift is to have “God bless us with health, with grace, with strength for us to carry on with our days“. (Courtesy of Universal Music Indonesia) (Courtesy of Universal Music Indonesia/.)

What advice would you give to readers who are spending Christmas alone this year?

It so happens that there are lots of live-streams lately, so maybe you could spend it by live-streaming Christmas services. Or maybe you can hang out with your friends, exchange gifts, have a Christmas dinner or something like that.

Citra Scholastika, singer, songwriter, actress, model

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Maybe the Christmas song I love the most is “Feliz Navidad” because that song is a unifier of everything. Even before I became a singer, I felt that song could enliven the room – when we were feeling sleepy or when things were awkward.

I think Christmas is about celebration and togetherness, and like it or not, it falls at the end of the year. Sometimes people are not ready for Christmas because they have either work or, for younger ones, school exams. But Christmas is expected to bring joy and its celebration is about a happy birthday. So even though the song is simple, it can make a dim situation into a glowing one.

Compared to past years, what makes this year's Christmas special?

I will release my first-ever Christmas song, and I think that's what sets this year apart. In previous years, I was the one receiving gifts on Christmas. Then, I entered a phase where I became a singer and I was the one handing out gifts instead. Christmas used to be filled with decorating stuff, but now I never show up to Christmas because I'm always working. The end of the year is usually the golden period for singers, especially religious singers. But this year is different because I'm releasing a Christmas song. It's my first time writing one, and hopefully it drops on Dec. 16.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? What are your plans this Christmas?

There'll be a day or two when I spend Christmas with the family. That's absolute, despite my loads of work. Sometimes you have to make the time to have a reunion or have some deep talk with the family to go over everything that has happened in the past year. That's usually my tradition.

The Christmas song: Singer-songwriter, actress and model Citra Scholastika picks “Feliz Navidad“ as her all-time favorite Christmas song. (Courtesy of James Hartono & Kick Management) (Courtesy of James Hartono & Kick Management/.)

What would you consider an ideal Christmas gift?

Back [when I was younger], an ideal gift was probably whatever was new. But now, the ideal one is more of a moment. I'm totally a “moment” kind of person. At my age, nearly 30, I hope there's that moment I long for every Christmas. Or you can make those moments, such as a vacation or a party with a dress code.

What advice would you give to readers who are spending Christmas alone this year?

Netflix is good [laughs]. In the bedroom, under the blanket, with hot chocolate, hot coffee, hot tea or, if you like, some whiskey. Just make time for yourself and embrace the lonesomeness by indulging yourself.

Rayen Pono, singer, songwriter, music producer

What is your favorite Christmas song?

I have so many favorites, but the one I sing the most because I love it and I grew up with it is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. I don't know why, but I love that song so much.

Compared to past years, what makes this year's Christmas special?

I am more grateful this year because we [were able to get] through the pandemic thanks to God's incredible care. Finally, everything is back to normal. My career is going smoothly again. God's plan for my family and life has been incredible this year.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? What are your plans this Christmas?

Spend time with my family – either we go out of town together or throw an open house with all the relatives, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts showing up. We'll usually party like Eastern Indonesians. I'll usually set up a sound system and a keyboard. We'll sing and dance together, doing joget tobelo and poco-poco.

Joy to the world: Singer-songwriter and music producer Rayen Pono's Christmas tradition often includes his family “partying like Eastern Indonesians“, such as doing “joget tobelo“ and “poco-poco“. (Courtesy of Semesta Records) (Courtesy of Semesta Records/.)

What would you consider an ideal Christmas gift?

Well, as I grow older and add more to life's journey, my ideal Christmas gift is health, solemnity and creativity. Without them, I wouldn't be able to make music. And without making music, I wouldn't be able to inspire people.

What advice would you give to readers who are spending Christmas alone this year?

Keep your spirits up and keep on praying because the true meaning of Christmas is not about big events or indulgent celebrations, but instead, it's about a contemplation of how God has been kind to us from the beginning until the end of the year.