Kata Bella Logo

Lifestyle

Last-minute Christmas Present Ideas

18 Dec 2024 by Bella

Last-minute Christmas Present Ideas Image

A year has flown by like whooshh, and suddenly, here we are again at the most wonderful time of the year. I absolutely love Christmas – everything from holiday planning and baking to shopping for presents. But having a full-time job means I don’t always have the time to indulge in all of those festive activities as much as I’d like.

So during this busiest season, online shopping has become my ultimate lifesaver. Living in Bali comes with its perks, but when it comes to finding certain items, the options can be limited, but you can find almost anything online!

If you’re still on the hunt for last-minute Christmas presents ideas, here are a few suggestions from Kata Bella to help you out.

For mum

Mothers will appreciate anything we give them, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t put some thought into it. I get that not every mum loves cooking, and not every mum is into feminine things like jewellery. But whether your mum spends her days in the kitchen, at the office, or juggling a bit of everything, the hands that care for the whole family deserve a little pampering. A good hand lotion or treatment set can go a long way in showing her just how much you notice and appreciate everything she does! And my go to local brand is Bali Soap.

Bali Soap

Image credit: Bali Soap Instagram

For dad

I don’t know why, but I always associate dads with coffee. Maybe because they are always working and need their caffeine fix (it’s just my theory, lol). I’ve gifted these Sudana Family coffee beans from Satu Satu to a few dads, and they all loved it. If you’re unsure how they like to brew their coffee, it’s always safer to go with whole beans instead of ground coffee. That way, they can grind it fresh and make it just the way they like it.

Satu Satu by Sudana Family (1)

Image credit: Satu Satu Coffee Company Instagram

For the eco-conscious or sporty friends

You really can’t go wrong with a cute tumbler! It’s practical, thoughtful, and helps them stay hydrated while saving the planet – what’s not to love? There’s this local brand called V Paper Co. that’s rolled out Christmas special designs that are perfect for the season. I’ve shopped with them for presents twice, and both times were a hit!

Tumblr V Paper Co

Image credit: V Paper Co. Tokopedia

For the picky ones

We all have that one brother or guy friend who’s impossible to shop for. But here’s the thing – most guys have one thing in common: they wear shorts. Whether it’s lounging at home, hanging out, or heading to the beach, shorts are a necessity, and black is a safe colour. Uniqlo has been my go-to for this kind of gift (success rate; 100%, based on experience). Another option is a black windbreaker jacket. Practical, stylish, and something they’ll actually wear.

Image credit: Uniqlo Indonesia Website

For the people you like…but don’t really know

When it comes to work colleagues, bosses, business partners, teachers, or neighbours – those you may not know well but still want to show your appreciation, hampers are a classic choice. A quick search on Instagram or e-commerce sites will reveal a gazillion Christmas hamper options, from IDR 100K to 1M. To save you the trouble, here I’ve picked one from Mena Cookies that’s both decent and not too pricey.

Mena Cookies

Image credit: Mena Cookies Instagram

Hope you find these ideas useful! Remember, it’s not about how much you spend – it’s the thought behind it that counts. So take a deep breath, get those last-minute gifts sorted, and enjoy the most magical time of the year. Merry Christmas and happy gifting!

You might also want to read

Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops: A Chilly Christmas in Bromo Image

10 Jan 2025 by Bella in Lifestyle

Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops: A Chilly Christmas in Bromo

"How cold is cold?" asked my husband, who’s from a country with single-digit temperatures, as I was packing for Bromo. At the time, I had no idea because I had never been. According to Google, it was around 14°C in December. I thought, "Okay, not too cold," and decided not to pack my winter jacket he told me to bring. I question my life decisions sometimes - as it turns out, it was very cold and windy in Bromo. Why We Chose Bromo for ChristmasOur Bromo Itinerary: Jeep Tours & Sunrise ViewsMidnight Pickup & Scary Jeep RideSunrise at Bromo: Two Viewing PointsWas Bromo Worth It? You may also like this article: Lokananta - Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo Why We Chose Bromo for Christmas Alright, let’s start from the beginning - why was I going to Bromo? My big family always gets together for special occasions and holidays. It’s not always the full crew, but we make it a point to gather somewhere. Christmas is a major one, and we always go on a trip. Usually, it’s Bali or Yogyakarta. Last year, we skipped Bali because the high season is pure chaos - you can’t go anywhere without battling crowds. Yogyakarta is great, but we wanted something different. So, East Java it was! Christmas in Mount Bromo Our Bromo Itinerary: Jeep Tours & Sunrise Views My cousin was the hero of the trip - she arranged our holiday itinerary and booked everything. We stayed in an Airbnb villa in Batu, and around midnight, we were picked up by a pre-arranged transport that was part of the travel package. By around 3am (I think it was), we arrived at the base of Mount Bromo. Since I always sleep on pretty much any moving vehicle somehow, I missed out on experiencing the supposedly nerve-wracking, curvy journey up through the hills. But based on everyone else’s reactions, it sounds like I dodged a pretty intense ride! A gloomy morning on top of Bromo - the hiking crew and the chill crew Midnight Pickup & Scary Jeep Ride From the base, we hopped into our Jeeps. There were 16 of us in total, with four people per Jeep, riding in a convoy to the top. We didn’t hike - not everyone in the group was up for it physically, and honestly, it made more sense to explore the caldera and everything else by Jeep since there’s so much ground to cover. This time, I was wide awake for the drive to the top of the mountain so yes, it was as scary as everyone said. It was pitch black, steep, and freezing cold, but I put all my trust in our super-experienced driver, Pak Gunawan. We got to the top a little early, so we parked and waited for the sunrise in a warung for some coffee and cheeky instant noodles 😉 The picturesque Pasir Berbisik - me and my cousin in our Jeep You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie - Semarang’s Sweetest Escape Sunrise at Bromo: Two Viewing Points There are two viewing points: one for beginners (no hiking skills required) - that’s where I was, because I was cold and lazy, and the actual mountaintop (which does require a little hike). My aunt, uncle, and some of my cousins made it to the top, and it turns out, the view up there is absolutely stunning. There was a traffic jam of Jeeps waiting to head back down since it was high season, but we weren’t in any rush. After a bit, we carried on with our journey to the caldera. The drivers took us to a few spots in the caldera, one of which is called Pasir Berbisik (the Whispering Sand). Normally, you can hear the sand go pssshhhh pssshhh, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience that because it started raining - making the temperature drop even colder! (I read somewhere that it once snowed in Bromo mid last year!). From there, we were taken to more beautiful spots, but sadly, we couldn’t stop at any of them because of the heavy rain. At the end of the trip, we stopped at a mountain-view restaurant for lunch (which wasn’t included in the tour package, by the way).  Was Bromo Worth It? Overall, our trip to Bromo was super fun. Despite the cold and rain, the sunrise views and the caldera’s beauty made it all worth it. The Jeep tour costs IDR 2 million per Jeep - inclusive of a pick up from our villa. If you’re planning a visit, pack warm layers and enjoy the adventure! Thanks for reading ✨

Lokananta: Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo Image

23 Feb 2025 by Teman Bella in Lifestyle

Lokananta: Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo

An Article by Natasya Soetantyo Solo is one of the cities in Indonesia that I always wanted to explore but never got a chance to (despite travelling to Central Java quite often since I was young). Last January, this long-overdue bucket list was finally ticked off. After a comforting lunch of soto and a cheeky es dawet selasih from the nearby market, food coma didn't stop us from exploring the city further - after all, it was only a two-day trip. We then made our way to Lokananta, located on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Laweyan. You may also like this article: Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops - A Chilly Christmas in Bromo Lokananta is a sacred pilgrimage site for those passionate about music, art, and history. Established in 1956, it was Indonesia’s first record label and vinyl record producer. In their heyday, they were the ones that introduced Indonesia to legendary musicians; Gesang (famously known for his song ‘Bengawan Solo'), Titiek Puspa, and Waldjinah to name a few. Its archive is not limited to only pop and Keroncong music at the time; but also home to Indonesia’s largest collection of Gamelan recordings, various ethnic/ folk music throughout the country, and even a recorded speech of Presiden Soekarno reading the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. After several challenging decades trying to adapt to technological advances of cassettes and CDs, Lokananta was revitalised in 2022 and is now functioning as a modern creative hub for the public. Exploring Galeri Lokananta The museum, Galeri Lokananta, is an essential part of the visit. It is a ticketed entry with limited time slots - you can either explore the exhibition by yourself or with a guided tour. I opted for the first option; this gave me a bit more freedom to enjoy each part of the exhibition at my own pace. I wouldn’t mind doing the guided tour on my next visit though; turns out the discography room can only be entered with the tour guide present. My share of tips: book a guided tour online as we were unable to book it in-person. Fun, Concise, and Engaging Those three words sum up the experience. The first part of the exhibition depicts the origin of Lokananta and its transformative journey in becoming a significant part of Indonesian music history. Brimmed with cool memorabilia (a room full of original Lokananta vinyls!), clear information, and immersive multimedia installations - the entire exhibition was easy to digest. My personal favourite was the room explaining the vinyl production process. You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie - Semarang’s Sweetest Escape The later part of the exhibition (only until 8 March 2025) delves into a more general theme of Indonesia’s pop music in the 60s - especially its tumultuous journey under Soekarno’s era of censorship. As I go along enjoying their colourful, aesthetically-pleasing pop graphics and listening to rare Lokananta original recordings, two things particularly caught my attention - the existence of a local genre music called Lenso (please look up its interesting history!) and a once-banned Indonesia Raya recording that was deemed too subversive. Even if a museums are not your thing, the precinct’s line-ups of trendy coffee shops, restaurants, and retail spaces are still worth a visit. I do suggest you stop by the Lokananta Record Store - their collection of rare Indonesian vinyls from the 60s and 70s really sparked my interest to start a vinyl collection. Planning Your Visit ⏰ Museum (Galeri Lokananta) Hours: Daily, 10am – 8pm 🎟️ Entry Time Slots (10 sessions per day): Session 1: 10am - 12pm (with a guided tour) Session 2: 11am - 12pm Session 3: 12pm - 2pm (with a guided tour) Session 4: 1pm - 2pm Session 5: 2pm - 4pm (with a guided tour) Session 6: 3pm - 4pm Session 7: 4pm - 6pm (with a guided tour) Session 8: 5pm - 6pm Session 9: 6pm - 8pm (with a guided tour) Session 10: 7pm - 8pm 💰Ticket Prices: Adults: IDR 35,000 Kids (above 100cm), Students, Seniors: IDR 25,000 Foreigners: IDR 70,000 (with tour guide) / IDR 50,000 (without tour guide) 💬 Guided Tour Booking: Online only at Galeri Lokananta Website 🙋‍♀️ Personal Tips: ● If you opt for a guided tour, make sure you book online before you arrive as time slots can be limited. ● All exhibition materials were written in Indonesian; perhaps getting a tour guide is worthwhile if Indonesian is not your first language. ● Bring an umbrella on rainy day

Things to do in Bali: Fun Art Classes at Rumah Rabbit Image

06 Feb 2026 by Bella in Info

Things to do in Bali: Fun Art Classes at Rumah Rabbit

There are so many things to do in Bali, from sightseeing and beach hopping to hiking, cultural trips, endless culinary adventures, and all kinds of parties if you’re into that. Me, personally - I’ve retired from the nightlife and now gravitate towards activities that feel more relaxing and laid back. And when you live here, it’s easy to fall into the same everyday routines - even though there’s so much to do. Somewhere between work and the gym, I found myself craving something different, something to reignite my creative side.  A few months ago, I stumbled upon a lovely little art space in Pererenan called Rumah Rabbit. Translating to Rabbit’s House in Indonesian, it’s a creative playground offering art classes for kids and big kids. The lovely founder, and one of the art teachers - Bianca Timmerman, also known as Bunny Bone, showed me around her art studio and shared the stories behind Rumah Rabbit. One of the kids drawing classes at Rumah Rabbit You may also like this article: What it's like to live in Bali - cost, culture, and everyday life Table of ContentsThe Story Behind Rumah RabbitA House Full of CreativityThe Perfect Bali Holiday Activity The Story Behind Rumah Rabbit Bunny is a contemporary artist from Jakarta. She relocated to Bali in 2008 and worked as a fine art curator at an established gallery in Seminyak for quite some time. Just before Covid hit in 2020, she began teaching drawing and painting from her home in Pererenan. She did everything herself back then; from preparing teaching materials and running classes to scheduling, buying art supplies, marketing, and even cleaning the studio. What started as small classes has now grown organically into Rumah Rabbit, with regular daily classes taught by Bunny herself and a few other art teachers.What I love is that Bunny isn’t just teaching art - she regularly holds her own exhibitions and recently curated a kids’ exhibition featuring her students’ work, which was very cute and impressive. Beyond the studio, she’s involved in various art projects, from commissioned pieces to her most recent mural at Carpe Diem Jiu Jitsu Gym in Jakarta. Bunny also trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and turns her love for the sport into artworks! A multi-talented girl, she is! The recent kids art exhibition by Rumah Rabbit "Bhineka Warna" A House Full of Creativity The moment you enter Rumah Rabbit, it feels like home, like you’ve been invited into Bunny’s house to play. There are several rooms dedicated to different art classes. For kids, there are drawing, painting, and craft sessions using a variety of materials and techniques, including acrylics, watercolours, pastels, coloured pencils, paper crafts, recycled and found objects, dry air clay, and more. They offer just as many classes, if not more, for adults. You can also book personalised private classes for special occasions like birthdays, hen’s nights, or team bonding activities. You may also like this article: 4 Must-Visit Underrated Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas Some of Bunny's paintings at Rumah Rabbit The Perfect Bali Holiday Activity You could easily spend most of the day here. It’s also a great spot for kids to unplug from their gadgets, and for parents to enjoy a few hours of well-earned kid-free time. Everyone is welcome, from absolute beginners to emerging artists looking to sharpen their skills. Honestly, I think the world needs more art spaces like this. So, if you’re in Bali, or live in Bali, do check out Rumah Rabbit and let your inner artist come out to play.    RUMAH RABBIT📍Jl. Bumi Damai Indah, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Denpasar, Bali 80361🎨 Group and private classes available💵 From 450K per person⏰ Group class duration: 1–3 hours🖼️ Classes available for toddlers (from 2.5 years old) to adults👩🏻‍💻 Book your class via the Rumah Rabbit website ☎️ WhatsApp: +62 881-0384-49407