Shelves at Christmas stores are heaving with shiny metal cupcakes, doughnuts, aeroplanes, ice cream cones... This year there has been a departure from traditional to non conventional baubles.

“We, of course, have the traditional angels and stars, but people also always want something new to add to their trees. They portray their own personalities through the decor,” says Tinu Santiago, of Advent Christmas Store on RK Salai. “A lot of our clients are pet lovers so we have puppy baubles, and almost 25-30 of our clients are home bakers so we have a lot of doughnuts and ornaments in the form of baked goodies,” she says.

A centrepiece at Advent Christmas Store

For a lot of people space is a constraint, so we also have pencil trees that are slimmer versions of the usual voluminous trees, says Tinu. Which is another reason why the store also has compact nativity sets replete with lights, music, and revolving layers, each depicting different scenes from the night Jesus was born.

This is Advent Christmas Store’s first year in Chennai. The store opened in Bengaluru in 2019, followed by Goa in 2021. “My market research showed that Chennai has last minute shoppers. A lot of them start buying ornaments and trees by December 10,” smiles Tinu as she makes her way through the store that is brimming with fun artefacts like a lighthouse with Santa’s sleigh going around it, LED Christmas lanterns and sleighs... Centrepieces such as these are popular this year, I am told.

Reindeer, gnomes, and figurines of Santa are the source of much excitement in Roy’s Wonderland on Valluvar Kottam High Road. The other popular entrants this year include a train track that has a train chugging around the Christmas tree, and a tree with Santa in his sleigh doing his rounds.

Roy’s Wonderland has a large collection of Santa dolls, reindeer, and gnomes | Photo Credit: AKHILA EASWARAN

Roy’s Wonderland is also a pop up store like Advent and opened its doors last month. “We also have stores in Mumbai, Goa, and Bengaluru,” says Nivedha Roy, who joined the business that was started in 1996 by her husband’s family, and is the digital marketing head. The little store stocks 500-plus accessories, including 18 varieties of trees. “The biggest one is 12 feet and is priced at ₹55,000,” she says, adding that everything is imported from Germany, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia. “Our family is passionate about Christmas and we scour markets to bring unique pieces every year be it wreaths, toppers, or even stockings,” she smiles.

Baubles and ornaments at Roy’s Wonderland | Photo Credit: AKHILA EASWARAN

Come October and a tiny stretch on the busy Ethiraj Salai comes to life with the colours of Christmas, and every imaginable decoration. The Evergreen Christmas Decoration Centre has been setting up shop here since 2015. Muthu Meena took over the mantle from her father who started the business in 1990. Every year, she tries to get the latest from the world of decorations. “People always give us their wish list. For next year, they want me to get red trees,” smiles Meena. This year the pink Christmas tree is trending. “I had around 50 of them and almost all are sold,” she says. Advent calendars, miniature models of gingerbread house, and globes that emit light from within are in demand not just for decorations but also as stocking stuffers.

At the Evergreen Christmas Decoration Centre, one can find Santa in various forms | Photo Credit: RAGU R

When it comes to sales, trees remain the most popular. However, over the years, for some, the focus has moved from trees to larger setups. While some clients attempt to set up scenes from Christmas movies, other rely on life size LED reindeer decor, lanterns, nutcrackers, lamp posts, and sleighs to add that Christmassy vibe. They either decorate their yard or a corner of the room with these elaborate set ups, says Meena.

D-I-Y X’ Mas

At Itsy Bitsy, a hobby store, there is enough supply for one to create their own decorations. There is a peel and stick Santa kit, string art, and embellishments to add drama to your creation. Glittery Christmas ornaments share space with bare MDF in the shape of reindeer face, baubles, trees, and the ubiquitous Santa. There are also blank papier mache baubles. This is so people can paint on them in colours that they like, says the salesperson, adding that earlier a lot of children bought this but lately its something even grown-ups enjoy.

Either store-bought or handmade, ultimately, for many, it is about creating a festive holiday ambience that they can go back to at the end of a long day.

A life size angel at Evergreen Christmas Decoration Centre | Photo Credit: RAGU R