With six days to go for Christmas, a festive vibe fills the air in Hyderabad. For Dr Aruna Rachel Pakyanadhan. a gynaecologist at Shenoy Hospital in Marredpally, Christmas is a time to celebrate, listen to hymns and carols, share lunch with family and friends and experience the joy of giving. The Christmas tree is put up at least three or four weeks before the festival. On decorating it with devotion, she says, “We reuse the Christmas tree and once we remove the decorations after January 7, to mark the Epiphany of the Lord, the tree is folded and put back in boxes.”

While stars adorn homes and streets get decked up in colourful lights, the markets and gift stores beckon visitors to enhance the festivities at home.

Extensive collection

Colourful decorative bells | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

Walk into Shraddha Extension near St. John’s Church in Secunderabad, and you are transported to a mini wonderland. A bit of tradition and innovation marks an extensive collection neatly stocked on the shelves. Unusual and trendy, sparkling Christmas tree baubles including mini cupcakes, choco bars, toffees and doughnuts are cute and fun, appealing to children and their parents too. An array of gifts for friends and family or charity are also up for grabs.

The halls on the second and third floors send out a Christmas carnival vibe. Stars (paper, plastic, and some with LED lights) dangle from the ceiling, different Christmas trees — pine, with cherries, snowflakes and bushy ones — ranging in height from one foot to 20 feet, Nativity sets, festive trimmings and creepers, candle stands and bouquets evoke festive cheer. Acrylic reindeer are a highlight; made of metal and an iron base, they sport sparkling LED lights. Excitement mounts as visitors glimpse inflated and flashy Snowmen and several cheery red Santa Claus’, one riding a motorcycle instead of a sleigh delights kids!

With a bit of sparkle | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

The mood is vibrant, says Umakanth Chandekar, owner of Shradha Extension. The 19-year-old store begins its display from November 1 onwards to meet the festive demand. Umakanath says, “We have a corporate crowd, event managers, families, people decorating the church and also school teachers buying items for Christmas projects.” Incidentally, he celebrates his shop’s anniversary on December 25. “We cut a cake and serve lunch to our staff to mark the occasion.”

The display at Himalaya Book World | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

All 12 branches of Himalaya Book World in the city evoke a festive spirit with their decor collection. As you meet the zestful Santas available in six inches to six feet high, the snowflake-laden Christmas trees adorned with baubles, wreaths, ornaments and lights promise to brighten up the homes “Our arrangement and display starts in November as we have around a collection of 2000 items to showcase,” says the branch manager Sheikh Hyder.

With celebrations setting in, we gear up to revel in the Christmas cheer, to be followed by New Year festivities.