Bhopal, Dec 11: Long-awaited Christmas, which is also known as the festival of peace, is approaching fast. Therefore, markets are getting ready to fulfil the demands of the festival. School children are wondering in the market in search of Santa and Christmas tree. Women are also busy in hectic shopping.

Christmas related accessory shops are ready to meet demands of the prospective revellers. They have left no stone unturned to lure customers and added new fancy items in addition to what they had sold last year. Bhopal Today Team

visited various shops in different markets to know as to what is special this time in the markets?

COLOURFUL SANTA

Though real Santa will take a little time to come. Yet, you can meet one by purchasing small Santa available in the market. At present doll Santa, hanging Santa and large size Santas are available in the market. Santa caps are also available. Besides Santa dresses are available that can make your child look like a Santa. Your 4 to 6 years old child can also become a Santa by wearing the outfit of those sizes available at the shops. In this case do not forget to buy the Santa cap.

TREES DON FASHIONABLE LOOK

This evangelical tree is also is being painted in different and attractive colours. They style of decoration has also changed for the better. Both original and artificial Christmas trees are available in the market. In addition to that decorative accessories to make Christmas tree more beautiful are also available. Previously red, green, golden and silver coloured items were preferred to decorate the Christmas tree. But nowadays black and blue colours are also becoming popular. For the decoration of house same coloured shining small balls, bells, kites, flowers and stars are unavoidable parts of decoration, which are rocking the markets.

Sunil Jain, owner of Archie's Shop at New Market, said 'as soon as the Christmas festival is around, sale of decorative items including Santa and Christmas tree picks up, especially balls and bells of various colours. People also love to buy love-shaped balls and pine trees .

Real Christmas trees are available in the nurseries. In case if you wish to buy artificial tree, are easily available in the market. In a nutshell, markets ate ready for the coming festival.

DECORATE TREE CAREFULLY

No doubt, a small Christmas tree is centre of attraction of the Christmas festival and you leave no stone unturned to decorate it to the hilt. But you have to take some precautions also while buying the Christmas tree and other paraphernalia.

* Buy a greenest tree

* Check the stand of the tree before buying it. There are some stands available in the market on which necessary guidelines and prevautions are inscribed.

* Keep the tree in the open space.

* Keep the burning candle away from the tree. Note that the candle must be at least 15 metre away from the Christmas tree since smoke billowing out from it can mar the beauty of the tree.

* Keep the tree away from the furniture.

FRAGRANT, COLOURFUL CANDLES

Fragrant and colourful candles are drawing attraction in the market. These candles are also available in the various shapes like apple, strawberry, floating flowers, cake, heart and orange which are in more demand than the traditional candles.

THESE ARE THE RATES

* Artificial tree from Rs 70 to 500

* Real tree Rs 200 on wards

* Simple Christmas ball from Rs 175 to Rs 200 per packet.

* Bell Rs 120

* Golden Ball Rs 150 pack

* Transparent ball Rs 180 pack

* Long bells Rs 70

* Santa Rs 70 on wards

* Santa dress Rs 250 on wards

* Santa cap Rs 75 to Rs 100

* Golden star Rs 150

* Candle Rs 50 on wards.