Xmas decor from new shores

KOLKATA: Gone are the days when city shops would stock up on yuletide decorations manufactured in China. Musical Santas and Christmas trees from Taiwan, wreaths and foldable decorative items from Thailand and balloons, snow bells or streamers from Malaysia - shoppers will be spoilt for choice buying knick knacks for decking up their homes this Christmas.
The tiny shops that dot the Free School Street pavements, the makeshift stalls at the centre of New Market or the ones near St James' School in Entally are full of such goodies.Sabir Ahmad, who works in a shoe shop all year round, takes off from work to set up a stall at New Market to sell Christmas decorations. "Balloons from Malaysia have become really popular this year," he said. While the bells are priced at something between Rs 3 and Rs 300, the price of the stars and baubles range between Rs 5 and Rs 150 in his stall.
Colourful snow streamers, sparkling battery-operated stars, snow bells, dancing Santas, musical Christmas trees, foldable tree Santas - there's a wide variety to choose from. "I've got a musical Santa from Taiwan where he is playing the trumpet. I will start decorating the Christmas tree once my school closes for winter vacation," said an excited Dolphy, who was seen holding bags full of Christmas trinkets.
Business is brisk with less than a week to go for Burra Din. "For the past few years, Christmas decorations had come mostly from China and we would miss variety. This year, since there are so many items from other South East Asian countries, we have a wide range of things to choose from. The price is also competitive," said Anasuya Banerjee, mother of nursery student Kaustubh.
"We no longer source our goods from China alone. We are looking at other places because the goods from the new business hubs promise value for money with their superior quality and finish. Thailand is slowly becoming famous for its hanging decorations and wreaths. Kolkata is a price-conscious market and decorations from Thailand and Malaysia are suitably priced," said Adil of Gift Palace on Free School Street.
Though prices have shot up this year, it has not cast a shadow on Christmas shopping. If a four-foot-high dancing Santa will cost you by Rs 5,000, for a musical or silver Christmas tree, you will have to shell out anything between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500. Decorative snow bells can cost upwards of Rs 450, foldable tree Santas are pegged at Rs 500 and the brilliantly coloured hanging decorations will be yours for Rs 700.
"I am home for Christmas after a good seven years. In the US, there is no dearth of festive decorations. But I am pleasantly surprised to see such a wide variety of shiny baubles, glittering stars, wreaths, candies and other decorations in our city stores," said Alicia Fernandes, who was seen shopping at a quaint shop in the narrow bylanes of Sudder Street.