Witness the season's extravaganza

Dusk comes, and the sun scatters its lustrous dying rays into the vast evening sky as Rosemary waits for her husband, Austin. It’s time for the couple to share an evening together; time to shop in each other’s company; and time to get elated as Christmas season enters everyone’s blood. Out there in the cities, markets are decorated in a breathtaking manner, showcasing an astounding diversity of products.

Amazing Christmas anecdotes

Christmas is one festival that has universal appeal and is celebrated in different ways 

across different nations. Denizens of the US, France and Russia are among the ones who enjoy recreating everlasting memories during Christmas.

The US is a vast country with an expansive variance of people who come from different ethnic backgrounds. It is interesting to observe that the way people of the US celebrate Christmas varies not only from state to state but also from household to household. The large Jewish population celebrates Hanukkah rather than Christmas.

The French saga of Christmas delight is also worth mentioning. French houses display a crèche or a nativity scene during Christmas, which serves as a focus for the Christmas celebration. During the 17^th century, the forerunners of the domestic crèche appeared in the form of homemade decorated glass called grottoes or rockeries.

Travelling to the German land we find that decorating the Christmas tree is a popular tradition. Traditionally, on Christmas eve, Nikolaus (Santa in Germany) puts little gifts and sweets in the socks of children hung over the fireplace.

Feeling the New Year fervency

 Chinese natives call the New Year time a period of feasting and celebrations viz. ‘Yuan Tan’. Thousands of lanterns illuminate the streets as the Chinese use them ‘to light the way’ for the New Year.

In Scotland, the New Year is called ‘Hogmanay’. In the villages of Scotland, barrels of tar are set afire and then rolled down the streets. This ritual symbolises that the old year is now burned up and the New Year is allowed to enter.

In Greece, New Year's Day is also celebrated as the Festival of Saint Basil. Kids leave their by the fireside on New Year's Day with the hope that Saint Basil, who was famous for his kindness, will come and fill their shoes with gifts.

In Japan, also called Nippon, everyone gets dressed in their new clothes like kimonos. Homes are decorated with pine branches and bamboo – symbols of long life.

In European countries, such as Italy, Portugal and The Netherlands, families start the New Year by first attending church services. Afterwards, they visit friends and relatives. In Italy, boys and girls receive gifts on New Year's Day.

A seductive mix of retail tales

It is retail refashioned to suit modern needs. Inquisitive shoppers browse for products of their choice. Shopping experience is different for each person, primarily because every one has his or her own special preferences. While a digital photo frame or a thermal jacket, an iPod or even an electronic handheld Sudoku game might be a hit with males, females tend to find a turn-lock satchel or a long-sleeved shawl, cardigan or a cell phone backup drive to be the items of her interest. While some get a huge dose of funtainment while shopping, others buy out of pure necessity. But, Christmas and New Year are seasons when money matters and choices vary.

Hence speakth the shopper

For every die-hard shopper, visiting different lands to celebrate Christmas and New Year remains a secret desire. We talked to some shoppers who chose a foreign destination to shop and brought back exhilarating memories.

During her maiden visit to Malaysia, Amita Desouza, a programming executive, had a great time celebrating Christmas. She recounts, “My visit to the Genting Highlands, especially the theme park, was the most memorable one. We had a blast!! This place is a must visit for everyone intending to enjoy life to the fullest. We also shopped for a variety of things, including designer collections, elegant footwear and exclusive watches. The theme of Christmas was amazing - a giant Christmas tree with beautiful decorations and surroundings of ice heaven, complete with artificial snow and sledges, igloos, eskimos, snowmen and joy rides. We felt as if we were in a snow-covered Greenland in Malaysia itself.”                                                                 

A legal advisor with Eddisson, in the US, Gurmeet Gambhir celebrated New Year in the most thrilling manner partying hard with friends. He says, “Hawaiian Islands were the ideal place to celebrate the New Year. Not only were we charmed by the scenic beauty of the place, we cheered each other and had good fun. A shopping spree at Shanghai Tang, a lifestyle vision of Chinese-inspired chic with a modern sensibility, was enjoyable. I bought designer apparel for my family and myself.”

It was another day in paradise for Kavita Srivastav, a businesswoman in Mumbai. Her ideal place to celebrate the New Year was Paris. She says, “There is nothing like sharing a romantic evening in Paris. During New Year the weather was perfect, and from the hotel window we could view the sky stretching far above. Shopping was a thrilling experience at malls which have lots of stores selling clothes, books, records and other stuff. My New Year sojourn at Paris will ring in my memory for a lifetime.”

Manu Aggarwal, CEO, ANMSoft, shares the experiences of his visits to the US and Germany during Christmas time, saying, “In the California area, celebrations start from thanksgiving itself. Christmas is mostly about shopping and gifting in the US. Shopping carts get filled with teddys, CDs, books and iPods which are a hit with the young generation. There is a different way to rejoice the occasion in Germany where a lot of people celebrate outside their houses. It’s interesting to note that despite the cold weather, everyone gathers to celebrate and have pure fun. It is more of a street festival. Glue Wine, which is very hot, is served to beat the cold. Overall, both in the US and Germany people are very enthusiastic about the Christmas celebrations.”

Treading the retailing pathway

The festive occasions that follow one after another brings smiles on the faces of millions across the globe. While retailers find opportunities during seasons like Christmas and New Year, shoppers are delighted to discover the newer and more exciting views, varieties, and enriching experiences at the malls and standalone outlets alike. Shoppers are no more silent spectators watching in awe the ever-changing and ever-flourishing retail scenario; they are now a part of it. In fact, retailing activity during festivals redefines itself as a science with consumer at the epicentre of all the changes that are coming afresh in the retailing world