Christmas cheer is here

Christmas is all about decorating Christmas trees, hanging up boughs of Holly, baking cakes and other goodies and singing Christmas carols. Moreover, it is also a time for spreading love, cheer and to reach out to the less fortunate. There is an air of festivity all around. Streets and shops are filled with festive lanterns, shining stars and Santa Claus caps. Homes are festooned with Christmas decorations. Over the years the decorations available in the market have changed. They are classier, more elegant, unique and aesthetic. This year bakeries and gift and décor stores have gone the extra mile to extravagantly decorate their outlets with bells, stars and more. Not to forget Santa Clause mannequins to help attract customers, especially young children.

Here is how Christmas is celebrated by different people across the city.

It is time for Baking with the Family
Phebe Beri, a law student enjoys baking cakes and cookies with her grandmother and sister. They go to the church on the Christmas morning, meet their family and friends and sing carols. They gather as a family for some heavy Hyderabadi Christmas lunch at home and celebrate. “My sister and I help my grandmother in baking her traditional butter vanilla cardamom spice cake and cookies, donuts, rava ladoos as sweets,” Phebe says.

New Carol theme and singing each year
Allen Mathews Shibu, a final year mechanical engineering student shares, “Every year they (his Church mates) have a different theme for the Carol singing. This year it is “Peace on Earth”, pointing towards the birth of Christ bringing Peace on Earth. In adherence to the theme they have also decorated the tree in their church with only Red and gold colour decorations. They all gather together around 7 pm and sing a few Christmas carols at their Church mate’s houses till Christmas. 

Time for emotional bonding with family
Ciin Muan Kim, a mass communication student feels that Christmas is a season to spend time with family. It is one thing that binds her and her family together so they spend quality time by praying and singing carols. They also go around and spread the word of God and the story of why Christmas is celebrated.
“In today’s world, Christmas has been so commercialised that people forget the reason why it’s celebrated. This year, a few days back, we went to an orphanage run by an NGO where children afflicted with AIDS are taken care of. We sang carols and spent some quality time spreading the message of Christmas and distributing gifts and happiness all around us,” she shares.

Shopping Gets the Xmas Spirit going full on
Kunisha Reddy, an English language studies student feels that Christmas shopping has become an experience in itself given the huge variety of products available in the market. They’re a little pricey, she admits, but feels that the cost is worth paying to get that Christmas spirit going. “My favourite purchase is scented candles for my room. I make bows and wreaths at home myself. I’m in charge of baking a Christmas cake almost every other day and we make mulled wine and hot apple cider throughout the month,” she shares.

love Decorating my Home
Meghavi Trivedi, who works at an MNC has been decorating the  Christmas tree in her house every year since she was a child. “I have made a snow man this year all by myself and that is what makes me happy the most. The stars and lanterns go hand in hand and give the house a great new feel and festive look,” she enthuses.