Christmas tree with string lights, reindeer, stars and baubles and over 100 stuffed teddy bears | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
apple of everyone’s eyes
A decorated Christmas tree with string lights, reindeer, stars and baubles and 100 stuffed teddy bears appears to be the celebrity at the buzzing Prozone Mall in Saravanampatti. Visitors take selfies and enjoy their moments with the backdrop of twinkling lights. Amrik Panesar, head of the Center for Larger-than-Life Christmas Trees, says, “If you also take into account the sturdy, layered platform used to erect the structure and the shining star on top, the height of the tree will be approximately 50 feet. It reaches.” , is a star attraction at the mall as it is set to host a festive carnival that will include stilt walkers, and a giant Santa roaming around with his sack to entertain children.
Christmas tree in the mall Photo Courtesy: AH Sarfaraz
There is also a Santa Kids Balloon Run competition for children. “Every year, there is excitement around Christmas, and this time we have installed the tallest indoor Christmas tree in the main courtyard to start the celebrations,” says Amrik, adding that the construction took a lot of engineering (400 kg of MS steel ) of the tree) and many hours of work have gone into designing the tree.
“We wanted to use teddy bears to decorate the tree because these toys are very popular with children,” explains Amrik. The Christmas wreath decorations on the walls also include a small red teddy bear. “It is a two-layer Christmas tree and hence it is not easy,” says Smita Nair of Art Events, who along with her team had a 15-day schedule to shape the massive tree. “This strong tree weighs 400 kg. We built a strong core before starting to build layers. The 14-foot structure was lifted as one piece with decorations and lights and placed on the base. We have used around 100 soft teddy bears brought from across the country along with bells and stars on the tree,” she explains.
The idea is to attract buyers because this is the time when brands hold annual end-of-season sales. “The atmosphere is festive. People shop, take selfies and generally have a good time. “We want to have a wonderful Christmas and get the festivities started.”
The carnival, which runs till January 5, includes entertainment programmes, carols, music shows, DJ nights, food festivals and performances by artists, competitions for children. There is also a lucky draw for buyers to win prizes worth Rs 10 lakh.
All roads lead to plum cake
Rich plum cake, almond icing cake and over 50 decorative cakes will be on display at Kovai KRS Bakery in RS Puram for the festive season. KS Naresh, grandson of founder Rangaswami and fourth-generation owner of KRS Bakery, which was started in 1960, says that traditionally, customers buy plum cakes during Christmas. However, in recent years, they buy plum cakes as well as fresh cream cakes and there is a demand for customized cakes for New Year. While attractive flower decorations on cakes are the most popular choice, they also design and customize life-size cakes, for example the 12-foot high cake of London Bridge.
Rich Plum Cake | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
However, the rich plum cake continues to attract customers. Naresh says, “We add 12 types of dry fruits including dates, figs, cherries, raisins, candied orange peel, ginger peel and soak them all in home-made wine. “Each cake comes with a mini Santa that brings an instant smile to children’s faces.”
KRS Bakery, Lokmanya Street (East) at RS Puram. Prices start from ₹600. For details, call 9159822022/9159833033
taste of the season
Plum cake made with dry fruits and fruit chutney is a specialty of Balaji & Company Bakes, one of the oldest bakeries in Coimbatore. , Photo Courtesy: Shiva Saravanan S
The rich, dark, plum cake, made without alcohol and loaded with raisins, nuts, candied fruits and spices, which is the specialty of Shree Balaji & Co. Bakers on Big Bazaar Street, attracts a steady stream of customers over the festive weekend. Does. “Our rich plum cake with sugar gumpaste icing has a unique flavor and taste. We soak candied fruits and nuts in fruit sauce just as it was traditionally done in the area’s bakeries. Most of our customers are like family. People who used to visit us in their childhood now bring their children to enjoy the same taste. Hence, we stick to the same recipe given by our founders,” says owner S Humesh, adding that he has stopped selling plum cake with marzipan fondant icing due to changing preferences among customers. He adds, “Our cakes have the same taste since my grandfather’s time.”
Town Hall, Puliyakulam, and Karumbukkadai, situated on Podanur Road. One kilogram plum cake costs Rs 800. Call 8525919191
published – December 24, 2024 08:35 PM IST
