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| Sunday, 14 December 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Where to go this season to Shop till you drop
The Sunday Observer team that hit the streets comprised Vimukthi Fernando, Lakmal Welabada and Rehana Amidon accompanied by shutter bugs Thilak Perera and Iresha Waduge. 'Tis the season of the year again where confused shoppers find it difficult to shop for the perfect gift, hidden in the jungle of endless shelves , by rummaging in malls, wholesale stores, and boutiques. Are you confused by shopping indecision? No more confusion! From our recent trip to some of the buzzing streets of Pettah to the high voltage of fashion fiesta - the Majestic City, Liberty Plaza and Odel , we have selected some 'hot gifts' this Christmas season to make your holiday shopping easy and affordable. Mulling in the malls and the buzzing streets of Pettah the Sunday Observer team found that while there was only a trickle of shoppers to the shopping malls, Pettah was thronging with people. However, "It is still too early for the shopping. The seasonal rush starts from around the 15", was the opinion of many, both shoppers and traders. Shopping this time was somewhat expensive compared to the previous year, according to shoppers. However, The nooks and corners of Pettah offered rich bargains for the shopper willing to spend some time in selecting. Some more good news for the shopper will be the seasonal sales at bargain prices starting from December 15.
Children's toys, a 'key' item during Christmas, had been given much attention at all the places we visited. Odel , in the kids' section, was where we came across a Doll House Kit. This charming and versatile gift is perfect for kids and collectors alike. An adventurous Lego set of Harry Potter to all the Harry Potter fans, and finger puppets to make someone's day jolly are also available. Arpico's Children's Corner offered dolls, doll carts, tricycles, baby cars, musical toys, a range of Barby items and various types of other toys including jigsaw-puzzles, abacuses, building blocks and kid-computers. Many toy shops at Liberty Plaza, Prince Street, Malwatte Road and Titus Stores were offering a good collection of toys at reasonable prices. Clothes are a must every festive season. Here, we found great variations in prices, though not much of a difference in quality. Odel wear, offered the most interesting and innovative selection of clothes and accessories. There was a colourful range of printed as well as beaded bags that are perfect for outdoor and indoor events and a lovely selection of handmade bracelets from Europe, earrings, and necklaces available for those on the look out for accessories. Women can find hippy beaded sea shells and wooden beaded jeans, beaded belts with feathery styles and Sahara design slippers, all for an affordable price here. For men, cool T-shirts that depicts Sri Lankan wildlife and the recent Cricket tour against England, brand name T-shirts and also a fine leather shoe collection. At the lower end of the price range were the pavement sellers in Pettah, who offered an interesting blend of clothes and accessories. A shirt or blouse could be purchased at as little as Rs. 50, bead chains from Rs. 30, handbags from Rs. 150 and different makes of shoes from about Rs. 250.
Pettah World Market, offered interesting bargains "up to 50% of the price," said Mohammed Shan of Indika Tex. They offered batik shirts and sarongs, short and long sleeved cotton shirts for officewear for men and a range of T-shirts, blouses and jeans for women at prices ranging from Rs. 100 to about 650. For those who like to have that 'exclusive' party outfit made to measure, Pettah would be the ideal place to shop for material. Many a shops down Main Street and 2nd Cross Street offered a range of silk and cotton material in various hues and designs at reasonable prices. If you are looking for gorgeous ornaments that gives a touch of elegance to your home or to be given away as gifts, Planet 99 at Majestic City, Ornament Garden at 2nd Cross Street and Titus Stores would be the places to visit. Crystal wear, glass vases and polyrising ornaments seem to be the most popular in the season and the prices varied from Rs. 35 for a tiny 'boot' to be kept on the writing table to lovely glass vases all the way from China, painted with Chinese motifs priced at about Rs. 2,000. If you want to soak in luxury at a low price, then Tisty Tosty it is from Odel . This rose scented soap will release a magic spell leaving you feeling fresh. Also I Should Coco, made with creamed coconut, and orange oil, and Fresh Farmacy, soothing for problem skin. Amazing handicrafts that are superb for house decor, handmade wall hangings for children's rooms, sleep reed mats, decorated jewellery boxes, letter holders, smocking gowns for kids, and Jute bags. One can find magnificent details of bobbin-lace (Beeralu) table cloths, decorative doilies table mats for coffee tables, patchwork pillows, appliqued embroidery designed pillows, and organdie shadow work table cloths to give a stunningly classical look to all the rooms. These traditional handy crafts can be purchased at a reasonable price at the Mahila Samithi sales outlet and Shilpi at the Majestic City. For a 'special touch' to the kitchen, various kinds of kitchenware are available at Titus stores, Arpico, Odel and Lanka Mahila Samithi sales outlet at Liberty Plaza.
The best and the finest kitchenware and linen that is durable will add a sparkle to your kitchen. Wire and reed baskets available at Planet 99 could also add glamour to your kitchen while keeping it better organised. Christmas decor was available at reasonable prices at Arpico, Odel , Majestic City, Liberty Plaza and Pettah. A. Sathar of Hajra Flower Shop, Pettah said that they sell Christmas decorations from Rs. 50 upwards. Tinsel and other decor including stars were available from Rs. 75. Christmas trees of different sizes and makes were available from Rs. 75 for a foot long coir product to over Rs. 4,000 for a 9 feet long plastic tree. And for that infinite Christmas touch, candles of different colours, which emanate different fragrances could be bought from Odel and Shilpi for an extra special way to relax. |
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