Street vendors do brisk biz

RANCHI: Christmas bells are already ringing for businessmen and small traders in the city. With days to go for the festival, market for decorative items has already started seeing brisk business.
Conifer with twinkling stars and colorful bells will greet people at Dr Kamil Bulke Path, popularly known as Purulia Road. The road, an old den for unique decorative items and Christmas essentials, is usually crowded during this time of the year.
Though inflation took much sheen off the festival season this year, Ranchiites, it seems, do not want to end the year on a pessimistic note.
Small decoratives, a piece of fruitcake and some happy memories of 2013 with family look to be out of the shadow of global slowdown.
"Of course there has been hike in prices of decorative items but as this is the biggest festival in the yearend, people are not hesitating to buy decorative items to make this festival special. We have different items for decoration and the prices range between Rs 10 and Rs 1,500," said Aman Kumar, a trader on Purulia Road.
Besides Christians, there are people from other religions who are joining the revelry, and shop owners are ready to cater to every customer.
"We have all types of customers out of which many do not even know the names of the products they come looking for, but as the decorative items look attractive they prefer buying them irrespective of the price. Since three years I have been selling these items here and I never incurred loss," said Aman.
Prices of Christmas trees vary from Rs 175 to Rs 750 depending on the height and decoration. Santa Claus models are available for Rs 150-650 and decorative bells range between Rs 40 and Rs 200.
Recently the price of basic commodities has increased but this does not stop people from buying Christmas decorations.
"I have an eight-year-old son who loves to celebrate Christmas. So for the happiness of my family I decorate my house. Why shall I think about price hike when it's about a festival which comes only once in a year," said Savita Devi.
Items
Price range in Rs
Stars
40-250
Churney
250-800
Christmas tree
175 - 750 (3ft - 6ft)
Fon tree
625- 1250 (3ft -5ft)
Santa Claus
150-650
Tinsels
25-80
Tree bell
40-200
Lights (Electric stars and others)
60-200
Hanging bells
275-1400