Soft strings of music and bursts of laughter greeted visitors at Bean Board Café.
Leah White sat at the entrance playing guitar while the guests joined her to sing Christmas songs.
This was the scene at one of the city’s popular café at Siripuram on Thursday. On her first visit to the city, Leah spent the evening chatting with guests and singing songs as part of the Christmas celebrations.
Other bakeries such as Baker’s Castle, Bake My Wish, Fresh Choice saw the highest sale of plum cakes and cookies on a single day.
The cheerful spirit of Christmas spread across the city and people poured on to the streets to join the celebrations. St. Anthony’s Church, Union Chappel Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Infant Jesus Church, Ross Hill Church, and St. Peter’s Church conducted midnight mass.
Hotels and restaurants were brimming with people who came with families to enjoy the Christmas special brunch. It was a festive atmosphere on the Beach Road. Many youngsters came dressed in red and white, sporting Santa caps.
Meanwhile, social media sites were flooded with Christmas pictures and messages wishing people across the world. Many who have shifted to other parts of the world but have their roots in Visakhapatnam uploaded pictures of decked-up Christmas trees for their family and friends in the city.
“My daughter lives in the U.S. and this time we couldn’t meet for Christmas. But by seeing her pictures on the Facebook, we feel connected with each other,” said Shalini Naidu, a homemaker.
Many others gave surprise gifts to friends on Christmas by baking cakes and hosting dinner parties at home.
“The best part of Christmas is the family and friends dinner at home. It is an occasion to bond and enjoy the Christmas special feast,” said Swathi Jeremiah.
