We launch this blog on Christmas and trust me I couldn't be happier. This festival holds a lot of meaning for me. This is the time I looked the most forward to in school, the time I was never in college because it was the freakin' December break, the time I'm the happiest Shubhangi my housemates have ever seen me and hence, they would keep December forever if it were on them (Yes, the world would rot, but do you think my middle class 'we are only going to live for so long' parents care?).
It reminds me of a time when everyone was happy and free, mostly due to (almost) no classes and because of no overhanging pressure of heavy bags and good performance in boring classes. Vacations were around the corner and having fun was the only rule. It was winters and hence everyone was in their Winter Uniform, the coats could hide everything possible and the cool kids could take them off, roll their shirt sleeves up, loosen their ties and show the teachers (and the other students) that they were so busy, they sweat their coats off. Nobody, no matter how nerdy the girl was, was serious. The only seriousness shown was by the choir cause they had to learn all the carols they were supposed to sing, which I know can be taxing. I used to be in it.
The competitive spirits shined with full flame during the raffle draw, in which my unlucky ass never let me win. That would leave a bitter taste in my mouth till Santa came, obviously. Christmas celebrations ended with us singing carols, having Santa distribute sweets, guessing who was Santa that year and being unsuccessful EVERY. SINGLE. TIME and the coming together of each girl into one big smiling group, no matter the animosity. Regardless of how old I get, that thrill remains unparalleled.
At home, I used to have a small Christmas Tree in my garden and we used to decorate it every Christmas. Mumma, Papa and us siblings used to sings all the carols and songs we could including 'yeh desh hai veer jawaanon ka' (cause that's my Father's favourite song and patriotism is important), dance and eat fruitcake.
Lucknow was decorated red, green and white, a blanket of white fog softly wrapping the city and people in their thickest coats walking around the busy block of Hazratganj, in and out of Cathedral after seeing the play on baby Jesus being born and a fair-like arrangement all over the city, with people selling candies, balloons, toys and of course, Santa Caps.
December starts and so does my Christmas mood, my music playlist only has carols in it and I sing them in the loudest volume possible the whole day till I go to sleep. Come Christmas and in a good year we party. In a low-key year like this, we go out with family or friends, come back eat Doritos, drink 'pheti hui' coffee (Dalgona for the TikTok people) and sleep.
As you can see, it's a happy time for me. Everything is joyful, people are happy, the city is colourful, bright, cold and beautiful. There is an intoxicating sense of serenity, and thrill, all in one night. The anticipation of gifts from Santa in children, to a night of good food and music for the adults, it's an all-encompassing festival. Nobody is tensed to go to work or school the next day, as it being vacation time, they'd rather spend it with their loved ones, doing what they like. It's this Holly-Jolly spirit that makes it one of my favourite festivals ever.
Hence, as we launch this blog today, I only wish it brings comfort, warmth, love, happiness and maybe knowledge to you- the readers. I wish we are able to give you good content, worth spending your time on. I hope it answers your daily curiosities and let's you escape the reality for a short time. I hope the blog serves as advice when you need it and serves as inspiration when you feel down. But most of all I hope it brings a placid smile.
And we promise to give the best that our minds and hearts can offer.
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
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