How People Celebrated Christmas in Bygone Era

Christmas in India is considered one of the most special times of the year. The tradition of celebrating the Birth of Jesus has its roots in the colonial history of the country. The festive season seems like a timeless weaving of colonial customs and feelings that have transcended history. The smell of cakes, hymns of Carol, cards, Christmas tree has interlaced with the modern tradition that defines December 25th throughout the country.

Here are a few tidbits to give you a glimpse of Christmas celebrations in the bygone era:

1. During the British Colonial period, the smell of fruitcakes, pastries, rose biscuits and Goan port wine filled every house.
2. The social clubs, restaurants were places where people gathered to socialise and share the festive spirit with others. The Viceroy's Ball and the Governor's Christmas Party were places where the elite of the Raj era would gather for merry making.
3. Christmas was the time that called for the family gathering and housewarming parties during the colonial era. Most of the people spent this time of the year with their families. A Christmas tree would be put up and nicely decorated and lit up with presents stacked underneath it.
4. The Christmas feast was an important part of the entire Christmas week celebration. The traditional Christmas dinner included a roast of turkey or goose, plum pudding, roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts, chestnuts and parsnips.
5. Families would exchange gifts. The houses would be decorated with stockings. The children hoped that they would receive a secret gift from the Father Christmas. The gifts were a nice surprise to wake up to on Christmas day.

Christmas celebrations during the bygone era were all about sharing warmth and enjoying the holiday spirit. If you want to experience the spirit of Christmas celebrations and the warmth of the housewarming parties during colonial time, a visit to the Windamere Hotel, the truly authentic British Colonial hotel in India, is a must. Christmas week is celebrated with full vigour and every year, entertainers from both the West End Theatre District in London and other parts of the world, are invited to enchant the audience with their performance. If you are planning to visit Darjeeling during the Christmas week, book your stay at The Windamere Hotel.