It’s Christmas inside and outside as homes turn into a warm splash of red, green and gold

Recalling his childhood, Melvin D’Souza, a 50-year-old lawyer, shares that ready-made Christmas trees were rare back then, and families would buy a branch of a casuarina pine tree and decorate it together with simple trimmings and balloons. “The children loved to see the tree light up, and a star placed on top signified the one the Three Kings saw,” he says.

Elaborating on the effort that goes into making the crib, he adds, “People go to great lengths to make the crib. So, like if we want the real grass effect, we would put nachni (raagi) seeds to soak a few days prior to Christmas, get sand or mud, make a small pond, add all the statues and lights. The kings are usually kept at a distance signifying their journey and then every day, we move them a little so that they would reach the stable on 6th Jan which is celebrated as the 3 Kings feast.”

In many households, children stay busy crafting the stable along with miniatures of Baby Jesus and Mother Mary. (Express photo)

Natasha Narvekar, a 20-year-old student of psychology, feels such traditions make the festival deeply personal. “Making the crib is the most cherished memory for me. It’s the one time when all my siblings come together to work on it. Even though we have contradicting ideas, it feels like reliving our childhood,” she says.

Rather than being restricted to porches and living rooms, décor today is more thoughtfully spread across the house. Small festive touches such as wreaths, curtain ornaments, lighting effects and display items appear in different corners, creating a cohesive atmosphere.

Green, red and gold remain classic Christmas colours—green for life, red for love, and gold for warmth and royalty. Metallic shades like gold, silver and bronze add to the festive appeal. Living spaces are enhanced with well-planned arrangements of curtains, carpets and cushion covers with subtle prints, aligning with the modern minimalist approach.

Christmas décor today also becomes a sensory experience. Decorations feel incomplete without warm lighting and candles. Though fireplaces are uncommon in modern homes, controlled lighting helps create cosy corners.The dining space receives equal attention. Traditional China plates, themed crockery, placemats and napkins create a visually engaging experience, while candles cast a mellow glow over shared meals.

The recent shift from a heavily traditional Christmas to delicately planned décor can be attributed to smaller living spaces and changing lifestyles. Social media and Pinterest-inspired ideas motivate young adults to engage emotionally with festive décor. For many, decorations also become a reason to gather. “Decorating the house for Christmas is about creating a cozy environment to hang out with friends one last time before the New Year begins,” says Nysa D’Souza, a 19-year-old student of English. “We take pictures beside the decorations in pretty clothes and enjoy the warmth.”

While styles and trends may change, Christmas décor continues to serve the same purpose to bring people together and make homes feel warmer, one light at a time.