JOIN USGoodies bring in festive cheer
With just a few weeks left for Christmas, Bengalureans are prepping up for the festival in a big way.
Christmas trees with grand decorations are already set up and so are the flea markets, buzzing with Christmas cheer.
Festivals like these give people a platform where they can showcase their passion for different things, be it art, craft or their culinary expertise. Merlin John Philip, a homebaker and a home chef, has already started preparing for this year’s festival.
She is ready with her homemade wine and coffee liqueur along with an array of cakes, that she is planning to display at a stall later for Christmas.
“It has been a year-and-a-half since I have started baking commercially. It started as a hobby as I am really passionate about baking and experimenting with food. It is during these festivals that people look forward to giving gifts to their loved ones. And their search for something innovative ends when they find homemade products,” says Merlin.
She points out that people today understand the value of homemade products and
the love and dedication with which they are created.
“It is not just goodies, it is homemade food like ‘fish fry’ and other dishes that people look for during Christmas these days. It is one of the best platforms to showcase one’s hobbies and interests and can earn them a few extra pennies.” Her talent has been appreciated over the years and she has about 60 orders for cakes at hand for this year already.
Priyanka Gupta, who is popular among her family and friends for her dark chocolates, started making chocolates in bulk this year for all the festivals.
And she says Christmas is going to be nothing different. “I am already in the process of making a variety of dark chocolates. Along with that, I am also offering handmade bailey and candles as a gift hamper for everyone who is looking for homemade delights this season,” she says.
Priyanka is dedicating her chocolates to Christmas flavours this year and is looking forward to using ingredients like raisins, orange, almonds and mint. Her chocolates, she says, are free of sugar as she uses honey. “People mostly look for compact and easy-on-the-pocket gifts, especially when it comes to corporate offices. And nothing can be as exciting and affordable than handmade chocolates and other goodies,” she adds.
Priyanka too believes that festivals like Christmas are a good opportunity to let people know about one’s interests. She is planning to put up a stall in the city soon.
Richa Agarwal, however, feels that it is also a great way to make contacts, friends and meet people with varied interests.
She is currently organising different Christmas related workshops like those for cookie decoration, tie and dye and finger painting till the New Year.
“I am looking forward to putting up stalls at various kids’ carnivals, apartments and colleges. Apart from the fact that it will help me build contacts for future, I also get to earn a few bucks for something that I am so passionate about.”
She makes jams, cookies, plum cakes, muffins and cup cakes as well as offers different gift hampers. “I specialise in diet cakes (made of wheat, oats and other grains) which are mostly sugarless. I am really looking forward to the Christmas this year,” adds Richa.