BHOPAL: With Christmas approaching, the preparations have already begun despite demonetisation and cash crunch in the market as people are eager to celebrate it with the same zeal and zest as they did last year. Keeping the sanctity of the festival intact is what they think is more important for them than anything else. With special love for Christmas carol, people are all set to buzz the carol nights with everyone and welcome Jesus and New Year.
‘No celebration is complete without the Christmas dinner’
Excited Asha Singh says, “Without Christmas dinner we cannot think about our Christmas celebration. We organise it every year for our friends. From the onset of December our friends start asking us about the dinner and the special menu. This year too we will have the dinner because this is one time of the year when all our friends gather at a place and make merry. Generally, during other festivals we don’t invite guests for dinner but at Christmas, we never miss out a single person. Obviously, this year there is a little crunch of cash and I had to devote extra time towards getting cash because for big payments, there is no issue but for small payments like payment to baker, gift for my domestic help and petty shopping for Christmas, I have to arrange for cash.”
Asha Singh and Anand Singh
‘Gifts will face the brunt of demonetization’
Pereira says that Christmas is all about purifying one’s soul and demonetisation will not affect Christmas till the time it is celebrated with its original essence. “It is more spiritual. Even the carols are part of purifying the soul and welcoming Jesus with pure heart. There is a ritual in Christmas called confession, where we ask for forgiveness for our sins. That’s the best part of Christmas. I don’t think demonetisation can affect any of them. Gift sharing is another thing everyone awaits, especially children. We keep the gifts under Christmas tree, have midnight mass and welcome Christ. I am sure this year I won’t be getting very expensive gifts. Demonetisation will surely effect that part”, he said laughing.
Gerry Pereira
‘Singing Christmas carols is the charm of Christmas’
“Christmas for me is all about roaming the whole night and singing carols at our friends and relatives house. From 21st we start going from one house to another to sing Christmas carols to mark coming of Christ and end the carol on the night of 23rd. We sing the whole night and we don’t even get tired of singing and going from places to places. Earlier we used to begin our carol from 8 in the evening which used to end at 6 in the morning. But this year we are planning a carol band competition and reduce the time of carol because of everyone is busy somewhere or the other. I also had a trip planned with my mother and sister but had to call it off due to my shows during Christmas and New Years”, said Shah.
Apoorv Shah
‘75 per cent celebration is still the same’
Katiyare is excited about the Christmas celebration which begins from a week ago with carols. “We have special extravaganza of decorating our house, shopping for the day, sharing gifts and the get-together lunch on 25th. There is no change in the enthusiasm for Christmas, only a little on the monetary side has changed because we now have to spend more time for going to banks, ATM everyday for cash. Let’s just say 75 per cent of the celebration is unaffected because Christmas is more about celebrating with our loved ones and we wait for a whole long year. So how can we let money steal its charm”, said Rohit.
Rohit Katiyare
‘Cake baking and gathering is our favourite part’
Thomas shares that his favourite part of Christmas is the cake baking, which the whole family does together and the gathering of all the relatives. “We do the baking together and it is real fun when all four of us do it together. We also have various competitions at church for children, story telling to teach them moral values and good virtues which begins from 25th and continues till next Sunday after Christmas. I also love participating in carols and because I play drums, I get to be a part of every carol. When it comes to Christmas we keep all other things aside and try to spread happiness as much as possible”, said enthusiastic Thomas.
Ellen Thomas
