Bebinca, dodol and church bells remain my favourite Christmas memory: Scarlett Rose

Christmas Day has arrived, and the celebrations are already in full swing at Scarlett Rose’s home in Margao. From crispy fried bow kulkuls and soft bolinhas to a freshly baked plum cake, it’s a festive spread that promises a truly grand celebration. 'I love visiting the traditional Christmas cribs people make'The Goa-based model, actor, social media influencer, and entrepreneur loves spending Christmas surrounded by close family, especially her nana, Jovita Dionisia Da Costa Correia. “Waking up on Christmas morning to the aroma of bebinca and dodol filling the house, with church bells ringing in the distance, is my most cherished memory,” she shares. “The night before, we attend Midnight Mass, dressed in our best, and I love visiting the traditional Christmas cribs people make across South Goa,” she adds. On why her Nana’s Goan sweets make Christmas special No matter how busy the year gets, Scarlett makes it a point to be in Goa for Christmas. “Every year, our home slowly fills with the smell of coconut, jaggery, and spices — a quiet signal that Nana has begun her work. She prepares Goan sweets the way she always has, measured by feel and guided by memory. The gentle clink of steel vessels, the slow stirring — nothing is rushed. Neighbours drop by, tins are filled, and stories are shared. Those sweets were never just food; they were her way of passing on warmth, tradition, and love,” says the MTV Splitsvilla 7 winner, as she lovingly plates the sweets. Her favourite Goan chicken curryWhen it comes to Christmas lunch, Scarlett enjoys cooking her favourite Goan chicken curry — a recipe passed down through generations and taught to her by her grandmother. “It’s not written anywhere; it lives in taste, smell, and instinct. Every time I make it, it feels like home,” she says. “Our Christmas table is always centred around a slow-cooked, coconut-rich Goan chicken curry, paired with Nana’s yellow pulao, local vegetables, and sometimes fried fish. It’s simple, comforting, and deeply satisfying,” says Scarlett, adding that the best part of the day is staying home, talking and laughing with her nana. South Goa or North Goa? Asked to choose between South and North Goa, Scarlett smiles and says, “Growing up in South Goa feels like home — quiet lanes, familiar faces, and serene beaches. I love slow mornings and peaceful nights. That said, North Goa has its own charm too — vibrant, colourful, and full of energy. I enjoy the city life there, with its events, art exhibitions, and great restaurants and bars.”