How to Celebrate Christmas in India

Even in the largely Hindu and Muslim country of India, Christmas can be a major affair. Indeed, there are millions of Christians who observe Christmas in India (even 3 percent of a billion is a lot!), so consider spending the holidays in that country and experiencing Christmas like never before.

Instructions

1. Decorate a Christmas mango tree--or a banana tree, if the latter is more convenient, instead of a the traditional evergreen tree.

2. Place oil lamps made of clay (the same ones used by Hindus for Diwali) on the walls, rooftop or driveway of your place of residence, lighting them at night.

3. The morning of Christmas Eve, go to a local bazaar and purchase daal, rice, flour, oil, blankets and fruit cakes. Fill a dozen or so large bags with these items, evenly distributed. These are your special care packages, to be delivered later to the poor.

4. On Christmas Eve, enjoy a hearty meal with loved ones.

5. After your meal, load your care packages into a car or taxi and deliver them, in secret if desired, to the poor in the area. Local jugghis (neighborhoods made of trash) are a good place to drop them, though the truth is that the poor in India are all around.

6. On Christmas morning, exchange gifts and open presents.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to deliver your care packages to a jugghi, be quick--get in, drop the care packages in front of a door, knock and run away. You don't want to wait around only to find yourself surrounded by a large crowd that may be used to grabbing things aggressively when offered.