You have a star all lit up on your front balcony. Your drawing room is topsy- turvy. A casuarina branch, unwieldy and dropping needles, occupies most of the floor space. Crepe streamers, glittering balls, stars and trinkets hang precariously from the bending bough. Wrapped gifts and dummy gift boxes lie around the tree, trying hard to look picture perfect. Your daughter plays carols on her stereo and sings along. Your older son smiles patronisingly and passes by. And you? Trying to bake a plum cake, perhaps?

So, it's Christmas. So what. We all know that. What's new? It's just that the case in point is a non-Christian household. So why the hungama, you ask. Why not? Why on earth not?

Children these days and most of us too, belong to a cosmopolitan culture that sees beyond rigid framework in most things. We adapt customs and cuisine, culture and class from wherever we please. If it pleases us to do so.

In a residential colony, it is not so uncommon to see a non-Hindu family make sweets for their children for Diwali. Or, for non- Muslims to receive a platter of delicious Biriyani for Id. Christmas, too, is a festival that is enjoyed by all who love the holiday season. The shopping. The baking. The gifts and cards.

What does it mean to a non- Christian? We all know the beautiful story of the Nativity. We all hum carols and gaze in awe at the Christmas decorations in shop windows.

Christmas heralds the New Year as well. So, get into the spirit of the season. Enjoy.

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