NFC is a month-long annual event to celebrate and reinforce the importance of the family.

National Family Celebrations will carry the theme of Connecting Youths with Their Families. Youths taking the lead in bringing Family to the forefront, through a series of youth-driven family events.

This year, the Celebrations is calling all Singaporeans, young and old, to ‘Switch ‘n’ Click’! Family members are encouraged to put themselves in one another’s shoes. This will help family members better understand the demands of different roles in the family, proper financial planning and appreciate one another more in the process.

There is a line up of exciting activities for all families in Singapore. So grab your family and come down for some fantastic family fun!

First launched in 1985, National Family Celebrations (formerly known as National Family Week) is an important annual national event to celebrate and reinforce the importance of the family. This iconic national event is championed by the National Family Council (NFC), with strong support from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). The Council is a people sector-led committee that aims to promote and build resilient families in Singapore.

Through the month long Celebrations, families can take part in a wide array of interesting activities and events and spend quality time together!

Highlights of National Family Celebrations

There are fun, exciting activities for all in the family, during this period. Families can enjoy the following key events:

Switch ‘n’ Click Show with the Muttons

The NFC Launch Event, titled Switch ‘n’ Click Show, was held at the Singapore Expo Max Pavilion. This youth-driven family forum, boasts an exciting line-up of speakers, such as celebrity couple Daniel Ong and Jaime Teo, Mediacorp artiste Suhaimi Yusof, alongside Mr Lim Soon Hock, Chairman of NFC, and Mrs Josephine Teo, Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC. Youths and parents will get a chance to interact with the speakers as they explore family-related issues and share useful insights. The forum officially kick-started the month long celebrations. Hosted by the Muttons, a dynamic radio deejay-duo popular with local youths. Admission to the Switch ‘n’ Click Show was free.

Family Day Out

The Celebrations will culminate with Family Day Out. On this day, Singaporeans are encouraged to spend a day out with their families in their own ways. Free tickets will be given out for families to spend time together at various attractions like Singapore Flyer, Hippo River Bus, Hippo River Tour, Singapore River Cruise, Chinatown Heritage Centre, The Art Science Museum, Sands Sky Park and Jurong Bird Park! The public can stand a chance to win these tickets by participating in contests.

Family Day Out Carnival at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade (outside Marina Bay Sands). The Carnival features exciting activities suitable for everyone, young and old. Families can look forward to taking part in bonding activities and winning attractive lucky draw prizes! Admission to the Family Day Out Carnival was free.

SINGAPOREANS VIEW FAMILY AS TOP PRIORITY

Singaporeans spend time with their family during meals and family outings. In a poll conducted by the National Family Council (Council), 300 Singaporeans were asked to share what comes first in their lives. Six in 10 (58.3%) of the respondents chose family, followed by personal pursuits/interest (11%) and health (10.3%).

Despite the hectic schedule in Singapore, a fair proportion (41.6%) of respondents does have meals with their family at least 4 times a week. Four in ten respondents (40.3%) also go out with their families at least once a week, and half of them (47%) communicate and engage in activities with their families 5 to 10 hours every week. The poll also revealed that 9 in 10 respondents enjoy spending time with their families, and are always there when their family needs them. However, many (57.7% of the respondents) agree that they do not spend enough time with their families.

One in 3 respondents (30%) reported that they spend less than 5 hours a week with their families. Most respondents (90%) would like to spend more time with their families, including those who think that they spend enough time. “Living in cosmopolitan Singapore, we work hard to put food on the table.

We work even harder during this time of economic uncertainty. However, we must remember that family relationships, like all relationships need to be nurtured and tended to, whether in good times or bad. In fact, family ties can be strained as families go through stress. There is thus a greater need to consciously pay attention to building family resilience.

The results of the poll are heartening, as it shows Singaporeans are still placing family first during this time. But it also shows there is room for improvement in terms of spending time together. That is why the National Family Council holds the National Family Celebrations every year – to reinforce the importance of the family, and the importance of making time for our families.

25TH NATIONAL FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

The month-long National Family Celebrations saw the most number of family activities, events and participants this year in its 25 years of history. The Celebrations was brought to a close this evening by Guest-of-Honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee at a Family Sports Day event, which saw thousands learning a sport together as a family. At the event, National Family Council also shared results from the Singapore Family Values Survey, which confirmed that the core family values held by Singaporeans two decades ago have not changed. Singaporeans still value the family and regard as very important family values such as Love, Care and Concern, Mutual Respect, Filial Responsibility, Commitment and Communication. This is despite economic, social and technological changes over the years.

Findings from the Singapore Family Values Survey
The five values were mooted in 1993 by the then Committee on the Family under the Advisory Council on Family and the Aged (NACFA), with inputs from the general public. NFC’s latest survey in March 2010 shows that these
values still hold, as more than 80% of 1,500 respondents indicated they are very important to them. More than 60% see them becoming more important in future. Family is still paramount, with more than 90% of respondents indicating that family is the most important aspect of their lives. The majority (94% of respondents) also said that they have a close-knit family.

The release of the survey findings reinforces the inter-generational theme of the 25th National Family Celebrations, which is to encourage family members, both old and young, to “live, love and play together”.

Enjoy special promotions for you and your family during this National Family Celebrations

1	Chili’s	“Kids Eat for Free” with every purchase of an entrée, every Monday & Tuesday night at Chili’s Grill & Bar (ION Orchard Mall & Resorts World Sentosa)
2	The Ritz-Carlton Hotel	Buyan Restaurant, Restaurant & Bar. Asian Buffet Lunch, Weekend International Buffet Dinner and Weekend Lunch. For more details please visit our top reviewed hotels page
3	Seb’s Bistro & The Playhouse	$150/- Set dinner for parents and two kids, inclusive of complimentary sparkling wine for parents and free playtime for kids in the Playhouse.	Not valid with other offers, promotions, discounts, vouchers or privilege cards.
4	Bonheur Patisserie	20% off Petits Gateaux & Entremets.	Not applicable to any in-house promotion.
5	Orchard Hotel SG (City Hotels Pte Ltd)	Orchard Café & La Terrasse Family Dinner Package with minimum 3 persons and above, – Special 26% Discount on total food billFree flow of Soft Drinks – 50% Buffet dining voucher for the next visitFree Parking for the first 2 hours	Prevailing restaurant terms & conditions apply – All prices are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes.
6	Yoshinoya	Free 4 Corn Pudding with every purchase of $35 Family Feast. Family Feast includes: 4 Regular Bowls (Beef w Veg/ Teriyaki Chicken/ Salmon/ Ebi Fry) 4 Regular Drinks (Coke/Sprite) – 2 Sidekicks (Each Worth $3.30)	Offer is valid from 25 May to 25 June 2011, while stocks last. Offer is subject to change without prior notice. Not valid with other offers, promotions, discounts, vouchers or privilege cards.
7	Heart Bistro	Enjoy a delicious meal at Heart Bistro with the family and earn 10% rebate vouchers for free meals! / 10 % in rebate vouchers, redeemable towards more family meals together.
8	Qian Hu Fish Farm	Fish Spa experience 50% promotion for the month of National Family Celebrations	$5 for half an hour
9	Cathay Cineplexes	Family Packages – Party of 4 Deals. 1) Buy 4 (2D) movie vouchers + 2 medium popcorn combo at $45.60 (U.P. $57.60) 2) Buy 4 (3D) movie vouchers + 2 medium popcorn combo at $66.00 (U.P. $69.60)
10	Shooz 4 Kidz	15% Off on minimum purchase of 2 pairs of Fit Flops
11	Inspire Mum & Baby	Private Family Activity Promotion – Special Introductory Private Family Yoga Session @ $100 for 1hr session/ 1 hr (family of 3)* Private Family Aqua Baby Course @ $500 for 5 sessions/ 30 mins (Family of 3-4)** Babies from 3 – 30 months Regular Activities Promotion – 20% off for regular courses (only Mountbatten Branch) – $10 rebate for Group Aqua Baby Classes	* One time rate. Only for Mountbatten & Simei branch. ** Only for Simei & private pools.   Bookings to be used by 31st December subject to availability. Promotions are subject ot changes. Inspire reserves the right to change the promotion entitlement.
12	Jack’s Place	Complimentary Escargots (per half dozen) on Tuesday Nights (with min order of 2 Dinner Main Course)	1 redemption per coupon, per bill only. Present coupon upon ordering. Available for Tuesday, Dinner dine-in at any Jack’s Place outlets. Not valid with other vouchers, promotions, credit card offers & member’s discounts.
13	Singapore Flyer	10% discount off Singapore Flight Tickets with every presentation of cut-out coupon	Valid for walk-in ticket purchase at Singapore Flyer Ticketing Counters only, no advanced booking is allowed. Limited to 4 tickets per coupon. Terms & conditions apply.
14	Big Bear Camping	Additional $5 off on all bookings and existing promotions.	Upon presentation of NFC 11 coupon
15	Underwater World Singapore	About 50% off Underwater World Singapore (inclusive of Dolphin Lagoon) & Singapore Cable Car Ride (inclusive of Cable Car Museum) Effective rates: Adult – S$25.90 (worth $51.90) Child – S$17.60 (worth $32.60)	Above promotions are only applicable to local residents of Singapore (i.e. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Holders of Employment Passes, Work Permit or Dependant’s Pass); To qualify, visitors are required to produce relevant identifications; this promotion is not applicable with any other ongoing promotions. Applicable for Sernior Citizens from 60 years old and above; Applicable for children from 3 to 12 years old. One identification is only allowed to purchase one discounted ticket. Singapore Cable Car Ride is a return trip. Point-of-sales for discounted tickets and/or package: Underwater World Singapore ticket & all Singapore Cable Car ticketing booths.
16	SAF Yacht Club	$50 Off Athena II Cabin Cruiser Charter $20 Off Sea Sports Courses $20 Off Sea-front Resort Room $20 Off Kidz Yong Explorer Diving Programme $35 Off Adult Scuba Diver Course	All discounts only applicable at Non-members’ rate. Advance booking is required and is subjected to availability. . Sea Sport Course discount is only valid for: 1. Get Kids Afloat Sailing Introductory Programme (for kids aged 7 to 17 years) 2. Basic Sailing Course (for adults) 3. Powered Pleasure Craft Sailing License (for adults) 4. Competent Crew Course (for adults with BSC) 5. Day Skipper Course (for adults with BSC & CCC) Athena II Cabin Cruiser Charter discount is valid for all periods . Sea-front Resort Room discount is valid for all room categories at all periods Sea-front Resort Room discount is valid for all rom categories at all periods Kids Young Explorer Diving Programme & Adult Scuba Diver Course shall be conducted by T3 Tek Diving Services & Explorer Pte Ltd Discounts are valid until 30 June 2011. Discounts are NOT valid with other promotions and cannot be exchanged for cash.
17	Jurong Bird Park	30% off each admission ticket upon presentation of National Family Celebrations 2011 logo	Maximum purchase of 5 tickets per redemption Offer is not inclusive of panorail Not valid for online purchases Not valid with any other promotions or discounts Child admission ticket is only valid for children 12 years and below.
18	Brussels Sprouts Two (Big Splash)	Kids Eat Free! – Kids 10 years and below eat for free* during lunch times. Mussel Festival – $70++ all you can eat & drink*.	Promotion valid on Saturdays and Sundays only from 12 noon to 3pm. *Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to Brussels Sprouts Two website (http://brusselssprouts.com.sg/) more details.
19	Sol Playground Café	1 free kids meal with @ main course orders.	Valid on weekdays only.
20	Sol Tasca	10% off 2 generations dining 20% off 3 generations dining 30% off 4 generations dining	Valid from Mondays to Sundays.
21	Pet Lovers Centre	Burp! Dog Treats at $1.50 (U.P. $3.16).	Valid at The Pet Safari only (Vivocity, Eastpiont, nex). Not Applicable with other promotions, discounts, privilege cards or discount vouchers.
22	Parkway Parade	6range Group Sony Ericsson – Free VH410 Bluetooth Headset (worth $68) with purchase of Xperia™ X8. AIBI – Special Promotion of the Stretch Machine AB-ST600 at $399 (U.P.$799). Asian Skin Solution – Enjoy 1 session of Omni Algae Radiance Treatment + free Dual Revitalise Rose Cleaner at $18. Auntie Anne’s – Special Promotion of Green Tea Pretzel at $1.35 each (U.P. $2.70). Berrylite – Fruit Yoghurt Drinks at $3.50. Best Denki – Sharp 32″ LCD TV at $399. Blue Max – TV Serials DVD – 3 for $10. Blu-ray movies for $9.90. Challenger – Samsung ST30 Camera with free gifts (worth $49) for $159. Citigems – Milanne® Diamond Pendant at $138 (U.P. $318) Couple Lab – Up to 60% off storewide. Dôme Café – Espreski at $5.50 (U.P. $6.50). Famous Amos – Free 50g cookies with every 300g cookies purchased. Free 130g cookies with every 600g cookies purchased. Fish & Co. – 1 for 1 Pastas. Fish Mart Sakuraya – Free gift with minimum spending of $38. Growing Fun – Science Set – Heart Beat at 40% off. Howards Storage World – Resin TV Shelf at $149 (U.P. $189) Jolibean – Soy Custard Maru & Regular Soy Milk Set at $2 (U.P. $2.50) Lee Hwa Jewellery – Nacre Diamond Pendant at $168 (U.P. $348) Leonard Drake Skincare & Health Spa – Wellness Treat at $75 nett. Choice of Soothing Aromatherapy facial treatment, Relaxing eye and neck treatments (U.P. $210) or Anti stress body rebalancing treatment (U.P. $150). Juzz 1 – Free Altec Lansing Orbit M portable Speaker (worth $79) with purchase of Altec Lansing M4025R Docking Speaker at $179 (U.P. $269). Kiehl’s Since 1851 – Free Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50PA+++ 5ml Ultra Facial Oil Free Skincare Collection. Luggage Empire – 70% off for 360 degree roller wheels with TSA look luggage. Mary Chia & Urban Homme – Enjoy 1 for 1 Facial Slimming Treatment. My Type – Basic Eat Right Pack at $286 (save 15%) Natures Farm – 30% off regular priced health supplements of selected brands. OTO Bodycare – Oto e-cuddle (EU-280) and Oto e-lux (EL-868) at $348. Princess Jewellery – Liroy diamond pendant at $39 Royal Sporting House – 25% off with minimum purchase of $250 in a single receipt. 15% off with minimum purchase of $100 in a single receipt. SK Jewellery – Skanet® diamond necklace at $99 (U.P. $139) Skechers – Tone-ups sandals at $29 (U.P.$69). Visit store and put on any Skechers footwear to receive a free gift. Stege – Stainless steel jewellery mens bracelet at $39 (U.P. $129 – $159). Toby’s The Desert Asylum – Fish Sandwich with fries at $7.95. Trumpet Praise – Free Chord Book with purchase of Ukelele complete kit at $59.90. The Body Shop – Passion Fruit Body Scrub at $14.90 (U.P. $29.90).	Terms and conditions apply. Kindly check in store for details.
23	Broun Café	Enjoy a free dessert or hot beverage with every 2 main course ordered when you dine with your parents.	Kindly inform our staff that you are dining with your family and let them take a picture of your family to enjoy this offer.