Xmas Indian style, no holly but so jolly
By: Shaziya Khan
Tags: Xmas, Code, Celebration, Colour, Insights

Sharing warm wishes, along with insights on the season, in a lighter vein.

By golly

Nearly everyone wants to be a part of the Xmas celebration. Regardless of how involved they are with the story. They are part of the celebration of the story. It is fascinating to note the gusto, warmth and boundless affection with which we all do Xmas.

Xmas lunch

The Xmas lunch has landed in our collective imagination as a milestone event. Some families host it annually, a cosmopolitan signature for their circle. For others, it is a close knit informal affair, but no less special.

Here’s a smattering of conversations heard in Christmas week.

“I was invited for Xmas lunch, their cook is making biryani”

“We went shopping for Xmas, had chat (spicy snack) and bought a bottle of wine”

“We are doing a zoom Carol singing party, “Antakshari” style”

There you have a flavour of Xmas, our way.

From Biryani to chat to Antakshari, and more, it is all part of our Xmas celebration, adapted as our story, totally our style.

In case, anyone worries – how do we novices make sure we do this right? Colour coding, to the rescue. Always, have a touch of something red. That cues Xmas, simple.

Red spells celebration

Typically invites say, join us for a Xmas party wearing some red. Anything red chalega (works). Masks, glares, bands, dresses, jackets, shirts, baubles, dressing gown, bangles, ties, bows, streamers, sparklers, stockings, balloons, lipstick, heels.

No one is fussy about the details. In fact, that is what makes the Xmas celebration a gift that everyone can enjoy.

Even the lift man, courier, street vendor can be seen doffing a jaunty Santa Claus hat! Nearly everything familiar, gets a touch of festive red decor. Hallways, office corridors, shop posters, curtains, cushion covers, danglers, hair tint, newborn baby outfits all in Christmassy red.

The Xmas celebration, signature or simple, spells warmth, cheer and a certain amount of westernisation, all of which we have taken to. And red is the perfect code, both symbolising and making these accessible.

Ah, but some are more on code than others.

Red checked pajama suit brigade

There are the ladies in red, if you’re lucky enough to have these fashionistas in your circle. The red brigade is ahead of the rest on the style quotient and says so with statement flannel red checked pajamas suits.

Visualise a row of 7 desi sisters in law in pyjamas suits – posing and sharing, their joy to the world. Their traditional joint family gulps in polite silence. (Shocked, in other words).

Seeing the photographs being shared, one cannot help observing, the pajama suits are checked, but the unamused elders’ faces are rather red.

The celebration continues

Each year, with much joy, and the occasional shock, the enthusiastic Xmas celebration continues.

More lunches are planned. Some fresh takes are added. From green Xmas trees to all white snowy ones. Mulled wine recipes swapped. Christmas cake authentic tips rediscovered. From red flannel to black silk for the group selfie. Fairy lights in different colours. Fluffy snow in new textures. Secret Santa lists. Carol singing rehearsals. And so on. O Xmas, Indian style – no holly but so jolly. Ho ho ha ha.