Ahmedabad city prepares for Christmas

Preparations for Christmas festivities have begun in full swing in the city and Amdavadis have already begun flocking the streets of  Teen Darwaja and city bakery stores, shopping for exquisite Christmas decorations, cakes and sweets for their homes.

Demand for their favourite plum cake bought especially for Christmas by both Christian and non-Christians, has gone up and the shelves of bakery stores are full. Along with the traditional cakes come other traditional Christmas sweets to make it a truly merry Xmas.
Popular bakery Upper Crust has introduced new brand of chocolates and cakes.  Lester D'Souza, of Upper Crust said, "We will also have date and raisin cakes, chocolate chip and walnut cakes and assorted chocolates this time."

He added, "Cakes in general will cost 350 Rs a kg. Prices have gone up because of the rise in price of raw materials -- at least Rs10-20 in everything." Orders have to be placed two days in advance but customers can buy at all the restaurant outlets without any hassles. Egg-less cakes however, will be made available on order.

Besides the cakes and goodies, decorations also play an important part of every home and the malls that the Amdavadi populace frequent. Mammath, a shop owner in the Teen Darwaja said, "Bells and stars are the only things new in my store. I have a package of three bells, a packet of balls and a Santa Claus."

He added, "Prices start from Rs 10 and go up to Rs 150. My customers include Christians from all walks of life, staff from show rooms and people who visit churches." Imtiaz Mansuri, another shop owner at Teen Darwaja, said, "Most of my decorations come from China, with starting prices from 10 to 100 Rs."

He added: "Customers have gone down because many stalls selling Christmas items have come up in places like Maninagar, Navrangpura and other church areas."