This Xmas, add a Thai touch to celebrations

CHANDIGARH: Though the tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century, Thailand now seems to have stolen the march, at least in the city.
Come December 25 and residents would be in a celebratory mood as Santa Claus comes knocking on their door. Santa may bring along gifts for you but for that evergreen coniferous tree, you have to hit the market.
On a reassuring note this, time it is not beyond your reach. It comes as cheap as Rs 6,000 and all the way from Thailand.To add variety to these imported optical fibre trees (2 to 10ft) are also being sold in the market at a cost of Rs 500 and Rs 4500.
Along with the tree, a large variety of celebratory products are available in the market and have caught the fancy of people. Apart from trees 3-D stickers, homemade chocolates, Christmas trees and decorative material have also been imported. While chocolates and stickers range from Rs 50 to Rs 200, trees are priced in between Rs 50 and Rs 6,000.
“This time we have imported Christmas trees and other goods from Thailand. But it is the tree that has become quite popular. Priced at Rs 6,000 each, the novelty factor has jacked up their sale. Unfortunately, the season is getting over, otherwise we would have ordered more trees,” said Rajiv Garg, manager of a store in Sector 40. Another store in the same sector has a seven-foot Santa for Rs 4,000.
A Sector-9 based store manager Yogesh Kumar said, “We have hats, Santas, Christmas trees, decoration material and other things. With Christmas round the corner, people are buying these items because they are of good quality and cheaper than the local stuff.”
The durability and the wow factor are two other reasons why shopkeepers feel they are selling more. “Trees and decorative ornaments are definitely selling more as they last longer and are better looking,” said a store manager in Sector 40.