HYDERABAD : Hot chocolate, ginger bread, plum cake, cosy throws, foggy days, family parties and a lush fir tree beautifully decked up in a corner…. well, what’s not to love about Christmas? A time to rejoice and reflect, Christmas is all about welcoming the spirit of Yuletide and the season to be jolly and grateful.
Christmas is quintessentially all about greens, whites and red; of lights, stars, snowflakes, bells, baubles, reindeer, sleigh, mistletoes, wreaths and many such time-honoured traditions. So, while you get your homes ready and soak in the Christmas spirit, here is a look at some unique rituals and the significance associated with these ornaments.
Christmas Tree: Using fir and pine trees for festive décor has been a tradition since time immemorial and was earlier associated with the dark, cold days of the winter solstice. These evergreen trees symbolized spring, perseverance and the persistence of life. The earliest record of the fir trees being used for Christmas dates back to the 16th century in Germany when the famous religious leader Martin Luther lighted candles under the tree.
Wreath: Used widely in many cultures, wreathes have been associated with status, victory and the circle of eternal life. “Christmas wreaths are considered to be representative of the unending love of God. The red berries and thorny leaves that are traditionally used for making them symbolise the thorny crown worn by Jesus and the drops of blood it drew” say Aditi and Atisi, Founders, Fitoori Banjaaran who make Christmas ornaments using fabric, beads and macramé.
Bells and Baubles: from heralding arrivals, to making announcements and as warning signs, the ringing of bells symbolize myriad events. Christmas bells are a call for celebration, welcoming baby Jesus into the world. Baubles were first invented in the 1800s by Hans Greiner when he made glass ornaments in the shape of fruit and nuts.
Candy cane sticks
This one has many connotations. While some say the “J” shape stands for ‘Jesus’, others believe that the white colour of the cane symbolizes purity and the three red stripes represent Jesus’ blood.
Stockings
A popular ornament used to put in gifts, this one is associated with the story of St Nicholas helping three poor sisters by filling their stockings with gold when they were left at the fireplace to dry. Since then, children have been leaving stockings and shoes outside doors on Christmas eve for their favourite Santa to come in in his sleigh drawn by the reindeer and deliver his gifts.
Snowflakes
Since it snows in most of the Western countries during Christmas, snowflakes are intrinsically associated with the festival and symbolize the intricate beauty of nature and God’s creativity. The hexagonal structure of the snowflake resembles a snow star and stars are again an integral part of Christmas decorations.
Some quick picks
Gender-netural personal care gift hampers
Gender-neutral and suitable for the skincare needs of both boys and girls, Super Smelly is offering 100% toxin-free personal care products. The products have been certified as Made Safe by SCA (Safe Cosmetics Australia), and are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, triclosans, PEGs or Silicones. Super Smelly has launched five customized gift boxes. Among the products are Super Smelly Fift Pack (2 Deodorants 150 ml, Moisturizer 175 ml, Face Pack 70 g, Face Wash 100 ml, Face Pack 70 g, Lip Balm 10 g and Hand Rub 200 ml). Price: Rs. 2761.00, Champ Gift Pack (2 Deodorants 150 ml, Moisturiser 175 ml, Face Pack 70 g, Face Wash 100 ml, Face Pack 70 g, Lip Balm 10 g and Hand Rub 200 ml). Price: Rs. 2,821.00 etc. On Amazon and supersmelly.in/
Floor Cleaning Robots
To help you avoid the risk by getting a maid service from outside, Milagrow floor cleaning robots can do the laborious task of cleaning and disinfecting your house. The robots memorise the map of your house to function independently, and can be loaded with small quantities of Sodium Hypochlorite 1% solution to help disinfect the floor and clean viruses if any. The brand has announced upto 40% off on its Robots this festive sale – Milagrow iMap Max (World’s 1st-floor wet mopping and vacuuming robot which can self-clean its mops with a pressure of 40N), Milagrow iMap 10.0 (fully Independent Self Navigating Robot with Electronic Water Tank and 3-hour battery life and most powerful suction of 2700 pa), and Milagrow Seagull. These robots come with a two-year comprehensive warranty. Available on Amazon, Vijay Sales and Milagrow iMAP Max including the water tank Rs 94,990.
Immunity boosters
Upakarma Ayurveda has come up with customised immunity boosting and beauty gift boxes with Ayurveda-based, 100% natural, chemical-free Ayurveda products with multiple benefits for mental and physical wellbeing. In addition to offering upto 50% off on its entire range of products. Among the product line are Ayurvedic Immunity Drops Combo (All 5 drops- Amla, Giloy, Tulsi, Ginger and Circumin)- Price: Rs 3100, Immunity Gift Box (Giloy Tulsi Juice 1l, Chyawanprash 500 mg, Ashwagandha Pack of 90 Capsules, Ginger Drops 30 ml, Curcumin Drop 30 ml), night serums etc. Price: `2700. Available on Amazon and upakarma.com. The focus this season is on products that not just remind someone of us but also help them get healthier. Ayurvedic gifts and healthy gift hampers are the new go-to options, especially in the Covid-19 times.