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Angels,
cribs and jazzy trees Catering to that Christmas feeling, 'Moments - gifts for treasured moments', a new shop down Duplication Road, Colombo 3 offers a wide variety of Christmas decor. Imported from Philippines, there are the old favourites side by side with modern day innovations......exquisite crib sets, angels studded with pearls and unique Christmas trees. "There is a whole industry in Philippines dedicated to the manufacture of Christmas decorations with 500-600 people working full time," Moments owner Daya Perera explains. They fuse the quaint charm of traditional craftsmanship with sophisticated manufacturing techniques to turn out fine Christmas décor. Having been to Philippines as early as April this year to see samples and place his orders for delivery in September, Mr. Perera made his selection from 12 different manufacturers. He has noticed that the decorations change each year. All items there are made only to order and none of these are available in Hong Kong, Singapore or other Asian countries, he says. In his main
shop as well as the temporary outlet at Liberty Plaza, Mr. Perera
says, the crib sets are a hit. Expatriates from England, Ireland
and Australia have been buying them to take back home. "They
have been so impressed," Mr. Perera says. Mr. Perera has only 10 pieces of each item, as he does not import in bulk. This way he can assure buyers of exclusivity. All items are packaged well enough to be stored for use year after year, he says. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved. |
"Deck
the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la,la la la la...'Tis the
season to be jolly fa la la la, la la..." the bright and cheerful
music rings out. Yes, the holiday spirit is getting into full swing
in the city. Shops are invitingly decorated for Christmas shoppers
and families are thinking Christmas, getting out their trees and
decorations from years past.
Particularly
eye-catching are the angel and Santa Claus figurines, candle holders,
holiday trims, tabletop and wall décor, visual displays and
other gift items made of recycled paper, fabric, resin, metal, indigenous
fibres and wood. "They are all environment-friendly products
and there is no plastic involved," says Mr. Perera. The baubles
are made of dried and coloured mango leaves, flowers and twigs.
Mr.
Perera who has been travelling widely had seen these lovely decorations
and had always wondered why Sri Lanka could not import some. He
has been bringing in exclusive gift items and decorations over the
past 8-10 years. Last year he sold them in a temporarily erected
shed. "Sri Lankans are not used to buying expensive decorations
and usually go in for the tinsel items. But now things have changed."
