It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the carol goes. Christmas is just around the corner. There’s nothing like a festive occasion to motivate the creativity in Goans.
From homemade Christmas-themed candles to décor and ornaments, Gomantak Times Digital brings you some of the most unique, must-buy Christmas décor to take home from Goa.
Ninoshka Alvares-Delaney from Saligao in North Goa has created some exceptional and captivating décor, all made from waste fabric.
“Well, in our Zero-Waste Project, we have curated many such items where people can buy some interesting products like ornaments and toys for Christmas, and these are all made from the material scraps that I get. This way nothing gets wasted,” says Ninoshka. They also have special customised décor where the names of people can be embroidered on.
Location: Ninoshka Saligao, Goa Collective Bazaar and Etsy shop- ninoshkaindia
Contact: +91 86987 97633
In our Zero-Waste Project, we have curated many such items where people can buy some interesting products like ornaments and toys for Christmas, and these are all made from the material scraps that I get.
Ninoshka Alvares-Delaney, designer
Alvina Fernandes from Guirim has a skill which will make you fall in love with her artwork on canvas, clay and so much more.
“I like to make Christmas décor, and this year I’ve switched to painting on canvas. These are perfect for gifting options and are made completely by hand. I also make items with clay which can go up as ornaments on the Christmas tree,” says Alvina.
Location: Guirim
Contact: +91 9821724550
Goan artists have created interesting Christmas decor.
Meet Queenie Furtado, a lady in her late 60s who loves to sit in her cosy spot in her home in Varca, where she feels most content with a crochet needle and yarn in her hand.
“I have been crocheting for the last 40 odd years, and I feel content doing it. I had learnt it in school, where we were taught to crochet. I make a lot of different crochet items for Christmas which can be used to decorate the Christmas tree,” says Queenie, who is also a member of the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad.
She continues, “In fact, our Christmas tree at home, we decorated it with crochet items.” She makes customised Christmas décor too.
Location: Varca
Contact: +91 96047 41353
These plantable paper angels are a must buy. The brainchild of Bharti Kumar from Tuk Tuk in Benaulim and an NGO based in Madhya Pradesh, these eco-friendly angels are made from paper which contain a seed in them.
“The seed bombs are converted into angels which can be planted. They have carrot and amaranthus seeds. Carrot seeds take a long time to grow, so, we also add the seeds of amaranthus which grows faster,” says Bharti.
Location: Tuk Tuk in Benaulim
Contact: +91 90490 17182
Want your Christmas to be scented and bright? Well, you must pick these candles and soaps from Emera Remedios. This entrepreneur and mum to two young girls has carved a niche for herself with some interesting Christmas products you won’t be able to resist.
From a wide range of products like wooden log candles, which is something very different and unique; candles in wooden containers; wooden dough bowls, Christmas trees in jars, pine cones in jars, truffle ball candles and decorative candles formed like a gingerbread man, holly leaves – there’s something for everyone!
“For the first time in Goa, I have introduced some Christmas sweets candles like pinagr, dodol, bolinha, kulkul, channa doce, rawa doce and coconut ice candle, nankhatai and rumball candle,” says Emera.
Location: Saligao
Contact: +91 98906 38292