By Kiran Patil
With Christmas, a festival of happiness and cheer is about a week away, everybody in the city has got busy in the preparations for the festival. The city is known for gala celebration for every festival, be it Diwali, Ramzaan or any other festival. Puneites are sprucing up the city for the grand celebration of Christmas. The city is being decorated with colorful lights, Christmas tress and variety of lightings. When we think of the Christmas, the first thing that comes to our mind is bounty of goodies in the city.

And, as usual, every single Puneite comes up with something innovative that can be enjoyed by everyone. Jai Patel, the owner of a chocolate shop, says,

Christmas is a gift for every one, especially children. We have brought variety of sweets like Christmas sweet, ginger bread, Oreo cookie and Santa shaped chocolates. And we also have traditional plum cake.

Another Chocolate shop owner Twinkle Bhattachrya, says

I am making different kinds of chocolates so that children can double their joy of celebration. The chocolates at my shop are hand made by my self. These chocolates are made with spices like cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves and nutmeg and so on.

In the wake of climate change, many groups of people in the city are spreading the message of being eco-friendly this year. Manisha Gutman, one of the founders of shop making eco-friendly products says, “We are encouraging people to buy the products which are made out of the eco-friendly and recycled decorations, harmless to environment.

People in the city are using leftovers and areca-nuts for making Christmas balls. Along with this, they are also making use of de-gradable plates and glasses that can be disposed after being used for the celebration.

Nothing really brings the cheer and happiness like music. Director of Poona Musicale expresses,

we are already booked for two sessions in the city church to celebrate the fest. And the both venues will witness pack houses with people and children from different communities.\

To add to festive session of Christmas, city shop owners have stalls of caricature, tattoo artists and mehendi, which customers can try out.

Pune is all set to welcome the grand fest of Christmas with great atmosphere, delicious foods and much more. Merry CRISTMAS Pune!!!!