Spreading christmas cheer

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way...” The very sound of this carol is enough to assume what is around. Christmas is finally here and with that comes the time to celebrate and to bid a hearty goodbye to the bygone year, leaving us just a week to dwell on the happenings of the past year and look forward to New Year.

The atmosphere, which is dipped in the festive spirit with the sound of carols, smell of freshly-baked cakes, the brightness of the lights and greenery of the Christmas (fir) tree decorated, is very enchanting for those who visit the Bethlehem, created here. It won’t be wrong to say that Delhiites definitely know how to celebrate, not only Indian festivals but international festivals as well in the “desi” style, with much ardour by adding an extra oomph to them.

In order to do something special during Christmas and New Year, various restaurants, hotels and food joints have devised strategies to rope in customers, who are looking forward to celebrate their Christmas and New Year in style and grandeur.MAFIA, Lounge & Bar, Punjabi Bagh, has organised a musical night to celebrate Christmas with DJ Nakul Shourie on Thursday. It is also offering a variety of delicacies to pamper your taste buds. The place boasts of taking one to the world of romance with its ambiance and with the tunes of soulful music.

Umang Garg, owner, Mafia, lounge & bar said: “Christmas is the festival of love, peace and harmony celebrated with great merriment. Mafia follows the same motto but with a different style. We have special arrangements for the festive jubilation wherein we have Christmas special musical night and a variety of food delicacies. Come at Mafia and enjoy the Christmas spirit with us.” With online shopping portals offering discounts on an array of Christmas and New Year items to their customers, wholesale and retail markets around Delhi aren’t left behind either. LED-lit Christmas trees to decorative items for homes, exquisite gift hampers, cakes and bakery products as well as other party items are at the disposal of the shoppers.

“Christmas here is celebrated just like Holi or Diwali. The demand, for cakes and other bakery products for Christmas and New Year parties, rises as people start booking their orders for cakes, pastries etc beforehand for their homes as well as office parties,” said a salesman of a bakery in Hauz Khas Village.

Christmas ‘bazaars’ and Christmas ‘melas’ are also popular in Delhi where one gets all the necessary items for celebrating Christmas and organising New Year bashes at home. This year, Delhi Tourism has organised ‘X-Mas Carnival’ at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri and ‘Winter Carnival’ at Dilli Haat, INA.

Sudhir Sobti, Chief Manager (PR and Pub.) said: “This year we have organised two carnivals at both the Dilli Haats. At Janakpuri Dilli Haat, the ‘X-Mas Carnival’ has been organised, where for kids we have got special arrangements done such as a Santa Claus, Christmas tree and rides for the kids, carol singing, camel rides as well as various cultural programmes, so that the general populace at large can also have the feel of Christmas celebrations. Also, Christmas “bazaars” have been set up which would sell all decorative items to cater to the needs of the kids as well as adults.”