Christmas amidst a pandemic can still be merry, as some businesses are showing that the season can be enjoyed differently, the ‘new normal’ way
Easter, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Diwali have all gone by and like everything else in 2020, they’ve felt really different. Now Christmas is here… And let’s face it; it’s going to feel different, too.
It can be disappointing to be unable to celebrate Christmas with all the usual effects, but it’s okay to grieve the loss of normal.
Goa which was the epicenter of India when it comes to Christmas and New Year celebrations has toned down its usual glitz and glamour when it comes to celebrating the season.
After a year of battling coronavirus and financial losses, families are anxious to get together again and celebrate. While the usual hustle bustle in the markets may be missing, a few hotels have gone all out and have held tree lighting ceremonies and the annual cake mixing functions.
Some luxury hotels have gone ahead and have planned a curated list of experiences and events in order to add to the merriment of the season, keeping all safety precautions and procedures in mind.
Once a part of a Goan Christmas celebration, one wants to partake in it every year. What with the pandemic around, beach side luxury villas, bungalows and apartments all over Goa, have thrown open their doors and are welcoming people to the State offering discounts and attractive packages. Thanks to the ‘Work from Home’ culture, more and more people are coming to Goa in order to enjoy a Goan holiday away from their homes.
Individual bakeries and budding home bakers who made the best possible use of time during the lockdown, have upped their skills and are offering personalised Christmas hampers in order to spread the joy of the season.
While the usual merry making and revelry will be missed, one can still make the most of the holiday season, with small intimate gatherings at various hotels celebrating the festivities.
The wise thing to do right now seems to be to plan a Christmas that can’t be shaken or stirred by the temperaments of the virus. Quiet, socially distanced, and intimate with more of nights in than nights out, is what will define Christmas this year.
Whatever December may bring, one thing is that it can’t steal is the spirit of Christmas. Just as we’ve adapted to a lot of what’s being called ‘the new normal’ we will also adapt to new ways to celebrate Christmas. And it will continue to be as heart-warming as ever.
Much as it’s going to be a Merry ‘Christ-mask’ from our home to yours and with ‘Wish we were Christ-masing together’, you all are essential to us. While all we want for Christmas is a vaccine, we are definitely dreaming of a better Christmas.
Here’s wishing our esteemed readers and advertisers a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2021.
Christmas Wonderland at Fortune Miramar
Immerse yourself in the colours and chronicles of Christmas this season at Fortune Miramar as the hotel is all decked up with a host of events to ensure that you have a jolly good time. So put on your dancing shoes and wear your masks as this season, Fortune Miramar has left no stone unturned to ensure your safety and well-being as you revel in style.
In view of the pandemic, Fortune Miramar have invested strongly to attain the highest hygiene standards are followed across the property, that ensures the wellbeing of all its guests. From automated thermal scanners, multiple sanitisation stations, Contactless Check Ins to QR Based Self Service and Socially Distanced Sitting at the Restaurants and introducing a very popular multi-course fine dining home delivery service.
You can kick off your Christmas celebrations by making your very own and fully customisable Christmas hampers and gift them to your loved ones, this merry season. Choose from Fortune Miramar’s wide selection of seasonal goodies such as Christmas cakes, cookies, wine, chocolates, tarts, pies and more. These hampers are available from 15th December onwards.
Spread the Christmas Cheer by swaying to the melodious voices of young serenaders as they sing carols spreading love, joy and peace.
Sip on mulled wine and enjoy decadent plum pudding as you listen to the carols from 20th December, 6.30 pm onwards.
Christmas Eve Dinner
Celebrate the birth of Christ with near and dear ones; strengthen bonds with family and friends over a four course, sit-down Christmas Eve dinner. Choose from a selection of delicious appetizers, warm soups, scrumptious mains and decadent desserts. For just Rs.1000/- plus taxes on 24th December 2020, 8 pm onwards. Listen to the foot-tapping beats by Agnelo. Outdoor alfresco seating is
also available.
Christmas Lunch
Enjoy a spirited Christmas, four course lunch with friends and family on 25th December 2020. Feast on a choice of appetizers, soups, mains and desserts while listening to live music by Ashley Afonso at just Rs. 1000/- plus taxes, 12.30 pm onwards. Outdoor alfresco seating is also available.
New Year’s Eve
Welcome the New Year in splendour with a lavish New Year gala dinner on 31st December 2020. Feast on a large buffet spread featuring an array of cuisines from
across the world with live stations of fresh seafood, succulent meats, carving stations, choice of Western, Mediterranean, Asian, Indian main courses and delectable desserts for just Rs. 2,500/- per head, plus taxes from 8 pm onwards. Dance to live music by the popular Entre Nos which include the talented musicians Omar, Nadia and Selwyn; Nini de Sousa will also feature making it a fabulous night that you would not want to miss to ring in the new year. Outdoor alfresco seating is also available.
New Year’s Day
Make the first day of the year marvellous by indulging in an irresistible four-course New Year lunch on 1st January 2021. Rest assured, you will have a marvellous time as Angelo will keep you entertained with his popular beats. Request for your favourite songs and sway to the rhythm, at Rs. 1000/- plus taxes at 12.30 pm onwards. Outdoor alfresco seating is also available.
Fortune Miramar has built a reputation by providing world-class service and exceptional meals and beverages catering to your every need. Right from value pricing, to valet parking, 24- hour dining at their acclaimed multicuisine restaurant and their hospitable staff. Fortune Miramar has taken a revolutionary step of combining luxury with affordability
Grand Hyatt Goa rings in the festivities with its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Grand Hyatt Goa greets the festive season with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony by the side of the 17th century chapel at the Resort.
Set along the lawns of the Resort, the celebration marked the launch of the weekly Sunset BBQ, a barbeque affair with magical sunsets, sundowners, live music and great food and drinks, every weekend.
The ceremony also played host to the kids from Care and Compassion Goa, based at Santa Cruz, a safe home for kids coming from not so fortunate backgrounds. The ultimate goal for Care and Compassion is to help kids live a normal life like any other privileged child in terms of education, food, health, care and love. Each child came along with their artistic impression of what Christmas means to them; of which the best four received goodies to share and take back home. Over the last couple of years, the team at Grand Hyatt Goa has helped the kids become a part of a much bigger family at the Resort. The dreamy evening was elevated by young kids with their melodious Christmas carols, while DJ Alina set the perfect mood for the rest of the evening. The ceremony progressed with an evening of gastronomical indulgence, where guests were treated with a menu that was curated and personally prepared by Jaco Le Roux, General Manager; who spent most of the evening cooking and serving guests alongside the chefs by the BBQ pit.
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony marks the beginning of the festivities for the Grand Hyatt Goa for December 2020
A festive affair has come to town at IHCL, Goa
Revel in the festive fervour with an assortment of traditional Christmas delights, an array of exquisite gift hampers and a plethora of gourmet celebrations at the iconic beach resorts and landmark city hotels of IHCL, Goa. Join in the celebration as the Christmas Festivities unfold a curated list of experiences and events bringing together an exciting blend of fun and merriment.
Share the spirit of giving as you choose from a host of special curated gift hampers filled with the goodness of the
festive season and a variety of all-time favourite Christmas delights including the traditional Christmas Plum Cake, Plum Pudding, Stolen Bread, assorted Christmas Cookies, Santa Chocolates and much more.
An array of authentic festive preparations from across the globe come together at IHCL, Goa’s award winning all-day dinning and speciality restaurants, showcasing signature Christmas preparations from across the globe amidst yuletide celebrations and picturesque backdrops.
Plans commence at Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Goa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Goa, Taj Fort Aguada Resort &
Spa Goa, Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa Goa, Cidade de Goa – IHCL SeleQtions Goa, and Vivanta Goa, Panaji
Christmas goodies at Monginis
New Millennium Bakers, manufacturing franchisee of Monginis having state-of-the-art bakery at Verna, with a network of 70 cake shops in Goa, Sindhudurg and Karwar have introduced an amazing range of specially made Christmas goodies at an absolutely affordable rate.
It includes rich plum cakes and fruit cakes, special occasion cakes, biscuits, X’mas theme gateaux, cup cakes, chocolate confectionery and other X’mas goodies and Christmas Hampers which can make perfect corporate gifts as also gifts to friends and relatives.
New Millennium Bakers has achieved 85% of pre-Covid sales and the firm has not terminated the services of any employee during lockdown period as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
CMM ARENA’s Christmas Offer
CMM ARENA, Goa’s largest retailer in furniture, appliances and décor has announced its Christmas promotions in store from December 3rd. Your entire home appliances, furniture, furnishings and décor are under one roof from economic to premium range with easy payment options including easy finance. CMM ARENA products are stable, durable, have value
for money with assured after sales service. Offers include free lounge chair with TV or sofa sets, free bar stool with refrigerator, free chandelier with bedroom sets, free 18 piece dinner sets with dining sets, up to 55% off on work from home furniture and more. Best price guarantee and assured gift with every purchase. CMM ARENA also has an online presence @cmmarena.com
