Decking up a Christmas tree

People in her neighbourhood call it Christmas only when the stars go up on the mango tree in her garden. For singer, RJ and entrepreneur Anjali Uthup Kurian, a Christmas tree means home, family, love and tradition — something she has grown up seeing. “Once in erstwhile Bombay at my Tam-Brahm grandparents’ home, there was no Christmas tree, so my grandmother made one out of broom and put stars of silver and gold paper on it,” recalls Anjali.

At their Fort Kochi home, the daughter of singer Usha Uthup has her tree and festive décor up by December 15. “There isn’t much planning to do, because everything is carefully packed in storage boxes and it’s all about putting it up. The home and the tree get done in a day and my children are actively involved. Our tree is full of decorations — either bought or given as a gift over the years — like the angel and musical notes and bag are from my mother, the deer is from my friend Diya and the small cloth Christmas tree is from my aunt Chotti and all the knickknacks are from friends and family and what the kids and I have chosen. It’s a tree full of love and memories,” she shares.

Kurian’s tree styling tips:
Don’t let the tree look crowded — let there be symmetry

Stick to one combination, for instance red and gold or blue and silver — don’t put
everything together

Use just one coloured lights and spend on quality ones.

Don’t forget the star or an angel on the top — it makes the tree picture perfect

Get the family involved, sing carols, and be merry. Keep the tree simple, pretty,
elegant and full of love and happy thoughts — that’s the idea of the season