Christmas Celebrations in India
Christmas is a holiday celebrated all over the world, where decorations adorn shop windows and houses alike, and there is much cheer in the air no matter where in the world you may be. However, there can be some differences in the details surrounding the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God and the Saviour of humankind in the Christian religion. And with Christianity being a minor religion in a country as culturally diverse as India, it is interesting to see how the same holiday celebrations are vibrantly different from one part of the country to another.
Goa
Goa is considered to have the most prominent Christian community in the country, which when coupled with its numerous famous cathedrals and churches, makes it a must-visit location to get a taste of an Indian Christmas. There are celebrations for days, literally, featuring live music and revelry in the cities and towns of the state, beginning on the 23rd of December every year, and ending on New Year’s Day when the state becomes the preferred location to kick of the year that is coming in larger-than-life fashion.
The Northeast of India, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Yet, Goa is by no means the only place in India where Christmas sights can be seen and appreciated. If you travel to the states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, there are plenty of bands and exotic foods that are served up during the Christmas holiday season every year. It is a little unfortunate that accessing these places often requires more special permissions than a simple passport or other regular form of identification. The states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are other more easily accessible states where you can witness the significant Christian populations celebrating one of their most special times of year, complete with lots of music and food. Velankanni in Tamil Nadu is a complex of churches that is also a site of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the country, so if you happen to be in the vicinity, you will not want to miss out on the opportunity to see for yourself.
Indian Metros
The four Indian Metros of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are places that celebrate Christmas in style, and in spite of Christianity officially being a minor religion in terms of representation, you can easily find many special celebrations or parties that you can join to have yourself a memorable Christmas. Additionally, cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad have their fair share of famous churches and more modern Christmas parties for you to be a part of. And don’t worry about having to try and get yourself invited. It’s Christmas, and the spirit of the season will open doors for you, as those celebrating the holiday will welcome you with open arms and offer you a place at the table, no matter what.
No matter where you are for Christmas, if you are throwing a party to celebrate then you would be best served by our Christmas Inytes from Inytes.com. They are very simple to use, and the functionality they provide will assist you with your party planning needs. Head on over to our website and pick from our selection of Christmas Inytes. Once you have made your choice, modify the color theme to suit your taste and send it to all your “Inytees”. Then, sit back and watch as RSVPs are tracked, letting you know without a doubt who will be joining you for your Christmas party.
Eggnog is a popular Christmas beverage, and while there are many recipes for how to prepare it, the changes that the palate of the average consumer who is undergoing many conscious decisions about healthy alternatives in general is creating a space for “vegan” versions. Here is our version of this iconic Christmas beverage that is gaining popularity with each passing year. This recipe makes about 12 servings of half a cup each, and adding alcohol to this drink is entirely up to you. If you do, however, we ask that you enjoy this beverage responsibly.
Recipe for Vegan Eggnog
Ingredients
3 Cups of Dairy-free Milk
1 400-ml Can of Coconut Milk
80 – 90 ml of Vegan Sweetening Syrup
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon Powder
1 Teaspoon of Nutmeg Powder
½ Teaspoon of Cardamom Powder
360 – 720 ml of either Rum, Brandy or Bourbon – This works out to about 30 – 60 ml per serving, but feel free to use less, or more, once again, responsibly.
Whipped Cream, the quantity of which will be determined by your preference
How to Prepare
Step 1 – Throw into the blender the Dairy-free milk, coconut milk, Vegan Sweetening Syrup, which depending on what is easier to find can be Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, or even Date Syrup. Add the Vanilla Extract, Cardamom Powder and half the single teaspoonfuls of Cinnamon Powder and Nutmeg Powder, and blend until this mixture has reached a creamy, smooth consistency
Step 2 – Give the mixture a taste, and if it needs a little more of that spiced note, add a little more of the Cinnamon Powder and Nutmeg Powder. You can add the entire remainder of both, but consider using some more as part of the final garnish. Eggnog can be served warm or chilled, so you will have to heat or cool it accordingly. Please remember to heat this mixture very carefully because you absolutely do not want it to burn. This mixture will keep for about a week in the refrigerator, so feel free to make a larger batch than this recipe calls for.
Step 3 – Set up the glasses that you will be serving the eggnog in, and pour the alcohol into each. Then, pour the Eggnog mixture on top and gently stir it a few times. Top the glass off with a generous dollop of Whipped Cream, lightly dusted with Cinnamon and/or Nutmeg Powder, or with a stick of Cinnamon that can be used as the stirrer, if you are so inclined.
Step 4 – Serve and enjoy this Vegan Eggnog with your loved ones. And Merry Christmas from all of us here at Inytes.com!
Before we go, we would like to tell you that if you are still in the planning and preparation phase of your Christmas party or get-together, you can use our selection of Christmas Inytes to help you get things organized. What’s more, you are guaranteed to delight your family and friends by sending them one of these Inytes, thanks to the merry designs that they exhibit as they communicate the season’s greetings.
