Samreen Samad tells you which Christmas bazaars to visit to get into the festive mood
Renaissance
Walk down the festively decorated street fair and pick up decorative ornaments such as Christmas tree angels, cribs, tree ornaments, candles, toys and baked goodies such as spicy gingerbread houses, fruit loaves,christmas puddings, panettone classico, yule log, panettone e pera choc, Santa Claus molded chocolates and a range of gourmand treats. Also enjoy seasonal music, choirs, concerts and more. Get into the festive groove because t’is is the season to be jolly!
Where Renaissance, Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, 2&3B Chinmayanand Ashram, Powai
When December 16 onwards
Contact 66927567
Bakerie, Shalimar hotel
Celebrate Christmas this year with a wide range of tempting bakery products — pastries, breads, cake puffs and lots more. Besides the traditional plum cake they have yule logs, Christmas cakes, Dundee cakes, apple cinnamon pie, marzipan, apricot and chocolate chip cookies, almond chocolate rocks, Californian prune cake, dates and walnut raisin cakes. Indulge in these mouth watering treats and soak up the décor ambiance decorated with Christmas trees, chimes, bells, buntings and baubles. Food and beverage manager, Deepak Varunkar tells us, "The atmosphere is extremely festive during this time of the year. Bakerie wears a festive look with its Christmas colours.” He also adds, “All these items are specially prepared for Christmas and are available only during this time of the year. Also a lot of emphasis is put in terms of presentation, the icing and garnishing of the cakes. The pastry chefs work round the clock this season to ensure that. These are not the run of the mill stuff and these dishes are not on our regular menu.”
Where Bakerie, Shalimar hotel, August Kranti Marg, Kemps Corner
When December 20 onwards
Contact 66641000
Bandra gymkhana
Christmas is the perfect time to shop and if it’s one thing people in Bandra are famous for, it’s shopping and singing. Bandra is also famous for the many residents who make traditional Christmas sweets and cakes. This well known fact led to the start of the Christmas bazaar and carol singing nights at Bandra Gymkhana.
“The stalls will be selling authentic homemade Christmas food and sweets such as bibinca, marzipan, milk cream and fruit cake,” says Ramesh from Bandra Gym. Along with the scrumptious food and sweets you’ll also be able to buy some neat Christmas decorations, clothing items and music CD’s.
Where Bandra Gymkhana, 42 St. Andrews Road
When December 17, 18 and 19 from 7pm-10.30pm
Contact 36428512
Willingdon catholic gymkhana
Enjoy shopping for yourself and your family and friends at The Willingdon Club. They have everything you can think of for the season. Scrumptious sweets, decorations, lights, cosmetics, jewelry, chocolates, toys for children and lots more. Get there early and you might even catch Santa.
Where Church Avenue, Santa Cruz
When December 21
Contact 26496573
Flea market
Here’s a chance for you to shop for fun filled, funky and unusual items. Shop for clothes and fashion accessories, exclusive candles, sculptures, table top accessories and lots of other fun stuff. These items also make great gifts and are affordable. Proprietor of Art Café, Shubhangi Mehndiratta says, "With Christmas around the corner, people are in the mood to indulge themselves, buy gifts and have fun. The Flea Market at Art Cafe promises to be all this and a lot more."
Where Art Cafe, 8 Om Apts, Sundervan, Off New Link Road, Andheri (W)
When Up to December 27
Contact 26323640