Christmas cheer is taking over the shoppers of Bengaluru

As Bengaluru’s air cools down, the city’s bustling shopping streets are filled with the excitement of celebrating Christmas and New Year.

Even though one road connecting Commercial Street was dug up by BWSSB to install clean pipes, it did not have much impact on the business according to the traders. “Commercial Street is busy as usual. The public works have not caused much disruption as there are other roads along with it,” said Sanjay Motwani, of the Bengaluru Commercial Association.

He mentioned that this year, there is a unique trend for people to buy office Christmas parties. “We saw a lot of women coming to get clothes to go to office Christmas parties. With employees of many companies playing secret Santa now, we have seen an increase in gift purchases from colleagues,” he added.

Shoppers on Commercial Street said that this street is good for Christmas shopping as it has different businesses. “I buy different gifts depending on who got them. In families, it’s usually cakes and wine. But for friends, I like to choose personal things like Christmas cards and small decorations – mistletoes, cribs, small Santas,” said Amitha Regi George, a college student.

In Chickpet and surrounding markets, business is expected to resume over the weekend. “Business will continue to grow. “We know the weekend will be busy as 70% of our business takes place on the weekend before Christmas,” said Sajjan Raj Mehta, trader and activist.

Apart from wines and cakes, handmade candles, eco-friendly gifts, perfumes, artificial lamps and home decor are popular among Bengaluru shoppers. Some of them have also started to choose handmade gifts from small businesses or handicrafts rather than mass-produced gifts.

Mr Nishant Gupta, 23, a business analyst from Malleswaram, said that buying from local businesses is a way to support local artists. “Small businesses offer personalized gifts. They listen to what you want and do something special. Also, you help someone make a living. That’s the real Christmas spirit,” he said.