the goan I network
VASCO
The port town has been geared up for Christmas, with people from all walks of life partaking in the festivities.
While markets in and around Vasco are filled with decorations and decorative items, bakeries in Vasco are working overtime to cater to a huge demand of traditional sweets to be consumed and distributed during Christmas.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Several shops in the port town have now got attractive and imported decorations, some of which have been brought through Mumbai, where importers arrange it for the Goan markets from places like China and Thailand.
A walk into the market will see attractive stars, Christmas trees ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 50,000 and other decorations.
These decorations are not limited to shops which spring up during the Christmas season, but are also seen at electrical shops selling Christmas lights and other Christmas illuminations.
Several decorative lights on display in shops already indicate the announcement of festive season in Vasco.
Makeshift stalls have also come up in various parts displaying snowflakes of different sizes, Santa Claus, miniature ceramic biblical statues and crib-making items.
TRADITIONAL SWEETS
Meanwhile, bakeries in the port town are working overtime to cater to the huge demand of traditional sweets for Christmas.
Pinky Vaz, who manages the famous Temptation outlet in the heart of Vasco city, said that they have seen a surge in customers during Christmas season.
“We specialise in Christmas cakes, Christmas pudding and Christmas cookies, besides traditional sweets like Doce, Bebinca, Dodol, Batika, Bolhinos etc.”
“We also have customised hampers for Christmas. We have our own clientele that have demands for well-decorated sweets in baskets.”
“We also ensure that we are well stocked with sweets because besides the fixed customers and extra customers, we also have some last moment customers who arrive on Christmas Eve and look for traditional sweets,” said Vaz.
Benson D’Souza, who runs the famous Souza and Sons Bakery in Vasco, said they have a huge customer base during Christmas, some of which are the regulars coming in from different parts of Goa.
“Most of the times, traditional Christmas sweets are beautifully wrapped in baskets and delivered to houses with affection. We now have orders which are custom made with the baskets as well.”
“We have customers that have been coming for years, especially for traditional sweets like Doce, Dodol and Bebinca. We have to work extra because we have to also cater to traditional sweets and also run our daily products that are sold on normal days like puffs, cookies and cakes,” said D’Souza.
