Christmas in India

"Shub Naya Baras"

In India Christmas is celebrated with great excitement as well as reverence. Preparations for Christmas begin about a week before the day itself. Special treats such as coconut patties and other sweet and savoury foods are cooked as well as sponge and fruit cake. The main meal consisting of fried rice, curried chicken, lamb cutlets and spicy vegetables is eaten when people return home after attending church on Christmas morning.

The Christmas tree is often a potted plant which is decorated on Christmas Eve. Sometimes it is a mango or banana tree. Special Zari ornaments (above) can be used to decorate it. Churches are decorated with poinsettias and candles for the Christmas service. Santa Claus appears at church functions held mainly for children.

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