By Marianne David
Christmas is making an earlier-than-usual appearance in the city this year, with many stores already unveiling their Christmas collections, dressing up their premises, and posting about festivities on social media.
It makes one wonder whether radio stations will also start playing carols early, rather than sticking to the usual 25 November start date we’ve become accustomed to. If I remember correctly, some places did start carols in advance last year and then stopped before the 12 days of Christmas were over.
Christmas trees, decor, and ceramics
Having established itself as ‘the’ place to visit for everything Christmas, Edys put out its Christmas catalogue on 1 September! And since then it’s been adding on irresistible items to its tree, decor, and crockery collection.
I visited a few days ago and was hard pressed not to buy any Christmassy things, having gotten a whole lot of stuff from there last year. Of course, there’s just over 60 days to go so there’s time yet for temptation! On this visit, despite the gorgeous Christmas serving platters calling to me (the ceramics range is so adorable), I settled for other household items and a little orange Halloween pumpkin instead, showing remarkable restraint!
Another strong contender for Christmas collections is Spaces by Liz on Thimbirigasyaya Road, my go-to place for Christmas cushions and table runners. The designs are charming, the quality is excellent, and the prices are reasonable to boot. There’s trees and decor available too.
Home Basics in Kohuwala, the go-to place for Christmas decor for ages before most of the newer places came up, also has its collection out now.
Decorating your Christmas tree
Don’t want to decorate your tree on your own? Get in touch with Maritza Anthonisz – she did mine last year and by God, it was fabulous. Of course she has decades of experience, exquisite taste, and years of experience in events and decor, so that’s hardly surprising!
Maritza’s Christmas trees are always stunning and she does something different for every single client in line with their preference, so you know your tree will be memorable while also providing the perfect backdrop for Christmas photos.
Personalised Christmas ornaments
I also came across an Instagram account named Lune Living, which offers some sweet personalised Christmas tree ornaments (including family trees and pet ornaments), little Christmas houses, stocking fillers, and stockings too.
The customisable stockings have colour options and name embroidery and you can select the embroidery font as well. The cute gnomes captured my heart and there are some lovely nativity sets too.
Christmas cake mixings and tree light ups
Meanwhile, the hotels have started their cake mixings and there’s one I am looking forward to with much anticipation as it’s always a wonderful event – the Taj Samudra Hotel’s cake mixing, which takes place later this week.
While I do not participate in the actual mixing – which sees guests don Christmas aprons and gather around a long table groaning under the weight of the ingredients, mixing spoons at the ready – I thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere at the Taj, which kicks off the Christmas season perfectly every single time with a party to remember and an impressive spread featuring food stations from all of its restaurants.
Cinnamon Life is holding its cake mixing this week as well with celebratory plans including a live choir, bagpipers, seasonal cocktails, festival canapes, and more.
ITC Ratnadipa will hold its cake mixing towards the end of October, which is yet another exciting event to look forward to, and the hotel plans to unveil a ‘Magical Holiday’ theme, featuring traditional Christmas colours.
Truth be told, many places now do decor that strays too far from traditional Christmas themes. Some are quite the eyesore – or downright frightful – although there are impressive exceptions. I am always hopeful that more traditional themes prevail.
The Shangri-La Colombo Christmas tree light up is usually quite memorable due to the keen attention to detail by the chefs, who bring out tray after decorated tray of exquisitely presented nibbles that delight children and adults alike, while there’s always a great band playing too, adding to the good cheer. Most of the tree light ups happen closer to or during December.
Meanwhile, the Hilton Colombo always pays quite a bit of attention to Christmas carols and music, so look out for its entertainment line up as well.
Christmas pudding, cupcakes, and menus
As for the main Christmas food-related indulgence I’m looking forward to, it’s Celebrity Chef Koluu’s Christmas pudding!
Everyone who has had the good fortune to dig into this divine creation knows just how good it is. Top it with some brandy butter and you’ve got a Christmas dessert that will elevate your Christmas table like no other.
But be warned: it sells out in no time and Koluu starts preparing the luscious puddings by November, so place your orders well ahead if you don’t want to be disappointed.
As for good love cake and jaggery cake, Cake Factory is the place to head to.
I also enjoy visiting Sits Cakes & Desserts as soon as the Christmas decor goes up and cannot resist the super-cute Christmassy cupcakes and cakes, which always bring a smile.
Of course Christmas menus aren’t out yet but I’m guessing Food Prints by Koluu, Ceylon Crab by Christine Stephens, and Tiras by Nirupa will put out their exquisite Christmas menus soon.
The Dutch Burgher Union (DBU) puts on a good Christmas spread at a reasonable price and its VoC Cafe is sure to feature quite a few Christmas goodies – including thambili wine and milk wine – made by Burgher ladies (and gentlemen) who know their stuff. These will surely sell out fast so get your hands on them no sooner they are out.
The Stache should have some new items on the menu for Christmas too – the Breudher French toast introduced in December 2024 was melt-in-the-mouth magic with every bite!
Above all, the season of giving!
Amidst all of the preparations for celebrations, indulgence, and good cheer, let’s not lose sight of generosity and the importance of giving, spreading true Christmas spirit.
The Colombo Centre for Special Education Christmas Sale will take place on 31 October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 80/7 Layards Road, Colombo 5. A variety of items will be available, including recycled products, art and craft items, plants, serviettes, dusters, towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, and household items, along with much more.
With just over nine weeks (or 60-plus sleeps) to go until Christmas 2026, it’s time to start planning for caring, sharing, and celebrating!
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