Hyderabad: Jingle bells chime early

HYDERABAD: If there was no wine, cake or meat, Christmas would be a lot less joyful for those who celebrate the festival across the state. These goodies are not just made for the family but for visitors and even carol singers who come to spread the Christmas cheer. Preparations begin many days if not weeks in advance as Christmas trees and lights go up and the task of cooking begins.

Malcolm Taylor, a resident of South Nallakunta, says, “Plum cake for Christmas cannot be made with tutti-frutti bought in a bottle. We soak our raisins in rum at least a month before the big day. It is not just baking one cake but baking at least five kilos of the same to ensure that there is enough to hand out to anyone who comes home.”

Christmas cake is the star but there are other traditional Christmas delicacies, like guava cheese, a close competitor. This is also the season of guavas and it takes four or five kilos of guavas to make one kilo of guava cheese. Rosa Wolfe, who lives in Yapral, says the process takes a few hours as it involves constantly stirring the pulp of the fruit till you get a cheesy texture. "We also make rose cookies that are shaped like flowers, kulkuls and other things at least a week before Christmas.”

A Christmas crib rally was held in Secunderabad on Thursday.

The main Christmas day feast is not to be taken lightly as preparations begin at least two days before. For Gleniss Tocher of Begumpet, the main dish is the Mutton Roast “which requires at least a day to marinate properly. All meat dishes such as mince pies will also be readied early. Christmas day breakfast is also a big event with an English breakfast of sausages, pies and others. It is basically a season of food and merrymaking that begins even before Christmas day.”

Celebrations continue on the day after Christmas, known as Boxing Day. The All India Anglo Indian Association organises a Christmas ball on December 26.

Joshua Rodrigues, vice president of the youth wing, says, “Almost 2,000 people attend our ball conducted at Tivoli. Christmas would not feel merry without dancing and socialising. Many people get their home baked delicacies to share at the event.”