<p>Getting a head start on their Christmas shopping, people were seen scurrying to different Christmas bazaars in the City. As these much anticipated events are one-day affairs held just once a year, most people clear their calenders to attend them hoping to pick up stuff that is not available in regular stores or malls and shopping for a good cause!<br /><br />“I wait for the United Charities bazaar that is held on the first Saturday of December which is my favourite. I get to catch up with people I haven’t seen for a while, shop and browse all morning and generally feel that Christmas is in the air,” said Monica Celestian, who makes it a point to take in as many bazaars as she can during December. The first bazaar was the CSB (Community Services) held at the Lalit Ashok.<br /><br />“It used to be a much awaited event with people jostling to get in and grab bargains before they disappeared. Now it is more impersonal with stalls selling mostly jewellery and clothes with very few unusual things,” adds Monica.<br /><br />This time, there were two bazaars that clashed on one weekend so people had to choose between the Overseas Women's Club (OWC) Bazaar at St Marks Grounds and the United Charities (UC) that was held in Lingarajpuram. Bargains galore was the buzzword at the United Charities bazaar while upscale and trendy was the theme at the OWC.<br /><br />Many felt that the entrance fee of Rs 100 at OWC was a tad steep as bazaars are meant to be ‘cheap and cheerful’, bursting with bargains for thrifty shoppers. “The food court too should be filled with stalls that sell inexpensive homemade stuff or from small eateries that people can snack on or pack to carry home without breaking the bank. Having upscale restaurants dish out plated meals at high prices is not really in keeping with the spirit of a bazaar. No doubt the proceeds go to a good cause and there is a lot of work put in by the volunteers and the children enjoyed the carols and the animal rides but bazaars are meant for fun and cheap shopping at irresistible prices,” was the general consensus.<br /><br />On the other hand, people who patronised the United Charities bazaar, came away pleased as punch. “I picked up some fabulous Christmas decorations, fine embroidered home linen and lots of pickles and preserves at great prices,” said Sunita Menezes, a happy shopper.</p>
<p>Getting a head start on their Christmas shopping, people were seen scurrying to different Christmas bazaars in the City. As these much anticipated events are one-day affairs held just once a year, most people clear their calenders to attend them hoping to pick up stuff that is not available in regular stores or malls and shopping for a good cause!<br /><br />“I wait for the United Charities bazaar that is held on the first Saturday of December which is my favourite. I get to catch up with people I haven’t seen for a while, shop and browse all morning and generally feel that Christmas is in the air,” said Monica Celestian, who makes it a point to take in as many bazaars as she can during December. The first bazaar was the CSB (Community Services) held at the Lalit Ashok.<br /><br />“It used to be a much awaited event with people jostling to get in and grab bargains before they disappeared. Now it is more impersonal with stalls selling mostly jewellery and clothes with very few unusual things,” adds Monica.<br /><br />This time, there were two bazaars that clashed on one weekend so people had to choose between the Overseas Women's Club (OWC) Bazaar at St Marks Grounds and the United Charities (UC) that was held in Lingarajpuram. Bargains galore was the buzzword at the United Charities bazaar while upscale and trendy was the theme at the OWC.<br /><br />Many felt that the entrance fee of Rs 100 at OWC was a tad steep as bazaars are meant to be ‘cheap and cheerful’, bursting with bargains for thrifty shoppers. “The food court too should be filled with stalls that sell inexpensive homemade stuff or from small eateries that people can snack on or pack to carry home without breaking the bank. Having upscale restaurants dish out plated meals at high prices is not really in keeping with the spirit of a bazaar. No doubt the proceeds go to a good cause and there is a lot of work put in by the volunteers and the children enjoyed the carols and the animal rides but bazaars are meant for fun and cheap shopping at irresistible prices,” was the general consensus.<br /><br />On the other hand, people who patronised the United Charities bazaar, came away pleased as punch. “I picked up some fabulous Christmas decorations, fine embroidered home linen and lots of pickles and preserves at great prices,” said Sunita Menezes, a happy shopper.</p>
