SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS…………
In the birth month of the unconquered Holy son, the season of celebration is unending. Just as universal as Christmas, is its spirit of peace, love and family bonding time that is globally glorified.

A lot of traditions that are celebrated at this time of the year were actually adopted from different cultures in the ancient ages.

Like the lights on the Christmas tree are from the candles that were lit in the Norse tradition of lighting fire to help Woden and Thor battle the evil of winter.

The evergreen home décor stands for the early Celtic belief of plants that don’t lose their green colour could help wish away ill effects of the cold.

Exchanging presents comes from the Saturlanian practice. Even the colours of Christmas –Red and Green stand for Holly plants berries and leaves that the Romans used to hang around their homes to ward off evil eyes and witchcraft.

Christmas carols were sung with joy in wayside Inns and taverns in the light mood of enjoying music with lyrics that were not as serious as the Church hymns.

With most major roads in Surat dug up, Santa maybe in for a rough ride into Tapi town this year, but Surtis, who are basically a ‘khai pi ane jalsa’ [eat, drink and make merry] community are in a festive mood since December has commenced.

Beginning with the wedding frenzy for this calendar year, where glitzy glitterati were the theme. Lalas and lalarinas who themselves were dressed up enough to put Christmas trees to shame; with dazzling beads and baubles, foot stomped to popular wedding numbers like ‘yeh desh hai veer jawano ka’ [if you are wondering why a war song for a wedding, then you are probably not married yet.]

Tapi town retailers are in hope of things looking up in the New Year and have set up ‘Christmas special’ schemes on everything from soap to clothes to grains to toys.

Suburban senoritas are strapping on slinky halters and stilettos, as they take salsa lessons gearing up to swing in the New Year.

The ever hard working lalas too, are taking time out to party the nights and business blues away.

Surti Kid brigade has never had a busier hop scotching fortnight, with a host of X’mas parties to attend to, organized by tuition classes, friends and professionals.

Lest the true spirit of Christmas be lost in just the partying, here is a novel way to teach the children about it-
Organize a ‘bake it yourself’ party for the children and let them shape and decorate the X’mas cookies in the symbols that represent the festival:

Star-to fulfill promises, Santa-for generosity and happiness, Bells-for guidance to the ‘lost sheep’, Candy cane –that represents the Shepherd’s crook to show the way, Angels –Peace and goodwill, Wreaths- continuous love, Trees- everlasting hope.

Host a ‘Donate -a- toy’ day; at any of the various children’s institutions that we have or at a close by slum to bring a little’ joy to the world.’ Get kids to stuff stockings with gifts to give and play Santa Claus for a change because sharing and caring is what this festival is truly all about. A little happiness, is always welcome, the world around.

Tapi town tattle-SMC celebrates Thanksgiving.

SURTI N.R.I.’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST.............
Last week, I received the Louis Vuitton Christmas newsletter. It gave a sneak peek into their fabulous new collection of the finest leather goods, against the beautiful backdrop of Paris while Sean Connery has done a three series shoot in the Bahamas to market their exclusive products. The letter suggests LV customers to prepare a Christmas wish list.
I wonder what our N.R.I.Surti brothers and sisters are preparing as their Christmas wish list this year. As we all know, every year the Surtis from America and U.K come home for shopping during winter holidays. For stuff silly, not spouses or new teeth!
The cash crunch due to cost cutting has unfortunately seen a recession in visiting N.R.I’s as well. So the poor little rich Surtis are calling up relatives back home to courier their goodies this year. Here is a list of what’s high in demand this season.
T.V. serial inspired Surti embroidered sarees. Sourced from Bombay market and Chautapul, synthetic sarees in multi coloured combination with a network of dazzling salma sitara work. Matched with satin petticoats and stringy backless blouses tailored by a ‘designer’ down the road. Embroidered ,net sarees with brocade petticoats, Parsi resham work and ready to wear chaniya choli styled sequinned sarees are hot cakes for N.R.I’s,this season.

2 gram gold jewellery; which is replicated to look like flashy, real stuff. Heavy chokers teamed with chunky dangler’s and bangles .Set with multicoloured stones to match sarees above. The rising costs have made this option very popular with the ladies who follow new trends. ’Balika vadhu’ style kangans, rhodium polish diamond sets, kundan jewellery, Victorian designs are on the N.R.G wish list.

Papads flavoured with garlic, jeera, dhamta etc. The most amazing ones are made by Jalaram in a little known village near Bardoli -Khoj. Besides papads, tea, dry mango chiriyas, fenugreek and sundried Ponk is also high in demand, as are pickles. Spices, and the popular good quality ‘ras ni hing’-the asafoetida that is the dry powdered resin from tree bark is highly sought after.Charoli,kalonji,shahjeeru is tucked into little zipper pouches as add ons,to balance out the parcel weight.
The process of couriering these goodies is also an art. Since the regular parcel service would cost a bomb, many small time courier services have sprung up in Surat, often run from home, which tie up with the bigger fish and provide cheap service for the local crowd. Goods reach within 4 days to the recipient and everyone is happy. Once the sender delivers the paraphernalia to the couriers; goodies are neatly packed in thick polythene and weighed, then further packed into a larger carton and sent off.
So, dear Surtis, if this season you do not see many hapless husbands carrying shopping bags around the town markets while they obediently follow the Mrs., you know that it’s because most N.R.I’s have shopped through a wish list this year.
Never mind if our marketing strategy is not as stylish as LV, never mind if we do not have any marketing strategy, whether it’s Christmas or Diwali, for N.R.G.’s East or West, Surat is the best!
TAPI TOWN TATTLE-What did President Bush turn into when he was shoed in Iraq? A sitting duck!