By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 21: Shillong is transforming into a festive wonderland as the stars seem to descend to earth, ushering in the Christmas spirit to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The city is bedecked in lights, with prominent locations like Khyndai Lad rotary adorned with shimmering decorations. Private buildings throughout Shillong have joined the celebration, donning a festive look that adds to the holiday ambiance.
Notable shopping destinations like Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah are buzzing with activity, especially around the cake shops, where customers eagerly line up. The cityscape is further enriched by Christmas tree and décor shops, both major retailers and quaint street vendors, awaiting the influx of customers. Even retail giants like Hallmark and Archies are Christmas-ready, though there seems to be a noticeable lack of crowd interest in décor items this year.
On the bustling Thana Road in Khyndai Lad, a prime location for Christmas shopping, Nantu, a local retailer, said that the peak has not picked up this year. Traditionally, business picks up by December 10, but this year witnesses an unusual lack of enthusiasm among shoppers for décor items, he said.
Contrastingly, the cake shop owners are overflowing with customers, and while some shopkeepers were so busy that they could not manage the time to talk or comment about the sales, Mohammad Aashique, of the well-known Legacy Bakers and Confectionery in Thana Road said that the sales are better this year.
He said that that since they have readymade cakes, the orders do not come in, but they are seeing customers in large numbers.
“The sales have picked up from Wednesday and will continue up to Christmas, following which there will be a lull and will pick up just before New Year,” he said.
Interestingly, while retail cloth shops seem to be losing traction in the Christmas retail game, their footpath counterparts are thriving. The epicenter of the Christmas buzz is Thana Road, drawing crowds who come not just for shopping but to immerse them in the festive spectacle created by the captivating lights that illuminate the entire stretch, establishing that Shillong is ready for Christmas.