Bringing Joy to the Hyderabad

American novelist Edna Ferber put the spirit of Christmas into true words when she said, “Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling.” The city is now drenched in this uncountable feeling. Several activities are on the menu to ensure that this Christmas, your tree is decorated with style, your clothes are in keeping with the spirit, your food has the delicious scent of the occasion and that you get a good dose of that sprightly Christmas energy.

According to members of the community, the celebrations had started way back in mid-November with various hotels orgainising cake mixing ceremonies, which would extend till the very Christmas Eve. What many are looking forward to is the boat cruise called `Floating Christmas', which was introduced a few years ago, on Hussainsagar, where choirs from across the country sing carols and even arrange nativity scenes with a Telugu folk touch, the city top guns are doing it all this festive season and that too by inviting members from all faiths and practices. Interestingly, all event managers are vying with each other to get the celebrities to attend different functions, starting from chief minister, to ministers from his cabinet.

Youngistaan

Youngistaan Foundation, on Sunday organised a one-of-a-kind Christmas Carnival for more than 300 underprivileged children, from over ten orphanages and a few government schools. This is Youngistaan’s annual event and every year they serve few more orphanages through this initiative.

The programme aims to help kids who live most of their lives in one place leaving their life behind school doors. Various talented people volunteered and performed at the programme. More than 200 volunteers gathered to ensure the kids have a great time.

Activities planned for the kids were - Magic Show by Rahul Krishnan (Guinness World Record Holder); Twist N Turns, headed by Aaryan Rajput engaged the kids in some energetic choreography, which was a huge hit among them; another hit with the kids was a five minute Kuchipudi dance by Sweeya and David Prabhakar taught a song to the kids.

Kids also enjoyed the Bouncing Castle, Camel and Horse rides and other joy rides arranged for them. Youngistaan Foundation is a youth-run NGO which works among the underprivileged children and homeless people every-week all through the year.

The Christmas Choir

Like every year ‘The Festival Choristers’ presented a grand fete at Ravindra Bharathi on Monday. "The Festival Choristers have been performing in Hyderabad since 2006, delighting their audiences with Christmas Music of the finest kind. The singers come together as an ecumenical group that unites all religions and Christian denominations. Enjoy this special time of year in a festive atmosphere with the Festival Choristers who will present their annual gift of Christmas music to the Twin Cities. Their next performance would be at Park Hyatt on Wednesday.

Christmas Bazaar

Park Hyatt Hyderabad have a Christmas Bazaar at The Terrace adjoining the Ballroom where one can shop for a variety of delicious home-made Christmas goodies on sale and gift them to your friends, family and loved ones.

Santa’s Workshop

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & HICC Complex will have Santa’s Workshop and Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday. Icing on the cake is the special Christmas carols singing by children from Global Edge School.

Westin Mindspace

On Saturday, Westin Hyderabad Mindspace organised Christmas Tree Lighting event at the hotel arena. Specially crafted delights with warm and comforting house blended mulled wine was the quintessence of the celebration. The hotelier also organised a Key Hunt for children where they had a gala time with the Santa.