For trinkets, treats and fun

There might be a month to go until Christmas, but there’s a distinct tinge of festivity in the air — decorations are surfacing, presents being selected and fresh bakes and other treats are filling pantry shelves. The good news for Christmas-lovers is that many organisations in the City are — in keeping with the blithe mood — organising melas in honour of the festival. Most of these melas offer a huge selection when it comes to picking up presents and decorations; a few also have homemade goodies and wine. For someone looking to stock up on Christmas sentiment, they’re practically the perfect place to go.

The Overseas Women’s Club of Bangalore holds a Christmas bazaar every year and this time, the affair — which is being held on November 24 at St Mark’s Cathedral Grounds between 11 am and 4 pm — promises to be as fun-filled as ever.

Sumithra Raju, vice-president, advertising and communications, OWC, explains, “We have over 60 stalls this year. There’s a lot in terms of gift shopping and clothes. We’re also organising a bake sale — some of the OWC members are contributing to it. Everything is in aid of the 20 charities that we support.”

The bazaar has options for kids as well, making it the perfect destination for a family get-together.  “We have a kids’ corner, where art and craft activities will be held. Besides this, we’ll have a lot of school choirs performing on stage — and there’s an opportunity for children to get a picture taken with Santa,” says Sumithra, adding, “it’s like a fair for the entire family.”

Another mela that Bangaloreans have become accustomed to each year is the United Charities Bazaar.

This year, it is being held on December 1 at the Corporation Playgrounds, from 9 am onwards. Stephen Dass, who has been associated with the mela for the last five years, explains that the mela will include a host of stalls selling all manner of trinkets.

“We are associated with a range of charities — including some vegan groups, animal-adoption centres and associations which support women and children. Many of these set up stalls at the bazaar — in terms of products, we have some solid range. There are cross-stitch and crocheted items made by a group from Tamil Nadu. There will be plenty of Christmas food — cookies and cakes, as well as homemade wine and chocolate. Visitors can also pick up handicraft items — gift cards with pressed flowers, papier-mache objects, lampshades and tribal art,” he says.

This year, the mela will include something special — it is showcasing the creations of people like housewives and students, who have worked from home to come up with them. “There will be some interesting items — like guava cheese and ginger wine,” explains Stephen.

Besides this, the Indian Church of Christ will be holding ‘Christmas Carnival 2012’ on December 16 at Maria Niketan School, 9 am onwards. Michael, who is part of the organising team, says that visitors at the mela can expect a lot of variety.

“We’re going to have an array of food stalls — members of the church will put these together. We’re also going to have a few games for adults as well as children. There will be a Scary House and rounds of tambola, as well as typical carnival games like balloon-shooting,” he describes.

The festivities, he adds, will be enhanced with Santa lookalikes. “There will be plenty of presents and we’re going to hold a lucky draw. Going by last year’s carnival, we’re expecting close to 1,500 people to attend,” he concludes.