Goodies line the shelves as X’mas countdown begins

MUMBAI: Shopping for Christmas goodies has begun in earnest as the final weekend unfolds before Thursday’s festival. Mumbaikars are making sure they do not miss the best sweets that are only available for one week in the year.
Walking through I C Colony in Borivli, one is enveloped by the aroma of marzipan and jujubes wafting through the air. With a bakery at every nook and corner, this Catholic enclave has never seen a dearth of mouthwatering Christmas sweets.Preparation began two weeks in advance and stocks of marzipan are set on bakery counters amid the signature Christmas plum cake. Rupal Nunes who runs Macarons and Meringues from home is a local favourite, not just for these items but sugar cookies and ice cookies as well. Youngsters prefer macaroons while their mothers approach home-based caterers like Rebecca D’Souza for traditional goodies. Rebecca says, “People are looking for quality. I import edible colour for my recipes from Dubai for that variety is definitely better.”
Residents of Santa Cruz flock to a quaint little shop around the corner. Willingdon Store near Sacred Heart Church stocks readymade sweets as well as ingredients for cakes and puddings like nuts, tutti frutti, essence and raisins. “Each item is homemade, be it marzipan, milk cream, fudge or kulkuls, so the recipes are authentic unlike the mass-produced foodstuff at common bakeries, which is tasteless or heaped with preservatives,” says Justina Jacob.
Owner Terence Dias sources the goodies from Catholic housewives in Santa Cruz, Bandra, Khar, Andheri and Dadar. A large red Christmas tree signals the entrance to the shop as carols play in the background.
Afsheen Irani, who runs Ahura Bakery, says people of all communities have come to celebrate Christmas, particularly because children enjoy the foodstuff and Christmas trees.
Bandra Reclamation has Desiree’s whose plum cakes are covered with marzipan and decorated with poinsettia flowers. Chocolate Santas and cupcakes are a favourite with kids. “Our plum cakes became so popular at Christmas time that we sell them all year round,” says owner Desiree Attari.