Other highlights are midnight singing at churches, making of pithas (winter cakes) in rural areas, homes, hotels and other public places.

There is also the making of roast beef and chicken, with fried potatoes, along with other sizzling veggies. Sweets and desserts in the form of pithas of various contents, shapes and sizes have already kept the homemakers, their children and friends busy. The aroma of delectable, piping food, like cakes, pies and other treats have made the home and hearth merry for weeks together. Biryani and murg-pilau are also musts for the table.

As for the sending of bright and cheery greeting cards with accompanying gifts, shops like Aarong, Hallmark and Archies, along with Binoj and other outlets have seen young and old, flocking with glee and enthusiasm. Shops in Tikatully, New Market, Nilkhet, Mohammadpur and all along Mirpur Road, as well as the far-flung area of Dhaka -- Gulshan and Uttara -- have allured buyers.

Silk and chiffon saris, trendy, embroidered salwar-kameez and punjabi sets, jeans and tops, shoes, costume jewelley -- and sometimes silver, gold and actual gems -- have gone into the Chrisymas parcels. Curios for the homes have been bought with enthusiasm and ardour. Sending gifts like cakes, biscuits, chocolates, potted plants require only the "courier service" or the helping hands of friends or relatives going the way of dear ones. These follow the tradition of the "gifts of the Magis".

I know of two old friends and their children, spending Christmas Eve sipping tea, listening to carols. They can only buy a few choice post cards on the occasion, and photograph Santa Claus with the children. They look forward to this day every year.