Rochelle Rao: Christmas is about Jesus, not Santa

Rochelle Rao and husband Keith Sequeira are all geared up for Christmas

Rochelle Rao and her husband Keith Sequeira are all ready to ring in Christmas and celebrations have already begun at their Mumbai home. Rochelle tells mid-day.com all about how the couple is spending the holiday season and takes a trip down memory lane, recalling childhood celebrations. 

How will Keith and you be celebrating Christmas?

This year we won’t be with our families for Christmas but we will be with our friends. We’ve been having small get-togethers with our friends for the past few days and that will continue. We are keeping up with Covid norms but getting to meet loved ones in Mumbai. On Christmas morning we will open our gifts, head to church and have family time during the day.

Any traditions that you’ll religiously follow?

Decorating the house, putting up the Christmas tree, crib and the star outside. We used to cook Christmas goodies in my mum’s house which I haven’t attempted to do on my own here in Mumbai. Keith and my traditions are clear, we decorate the house, we do something to help the less privileged a week before Christmas. We make sure we get each other simple, fun gifts. It’s not about the fanciness of the gift but something small to show we care.

Your favourite sweets?

Some of my best memories growing up were when the whole family got together and we helped mum make sweets. Mum did the cooking, we did the prep, like rolling dough and making shapes. We were all together, making noise in fact I don’t know how much we helped, we were more painful than helpful. Mixing the ingredients for the Christmas cake and letting it rest was fun! My favourite sweet has always been kulkuls.

The must-haves for a Christmas meal?

Roast chicken and mashed potatoes with mulled wine. Christmas cake and pudding are a must-have. We have had Turkey too but I’m not a fan.

The carol that brings back childhood memories?

The drummer boy! Since the song is sung in a kid’s voice I always used to tell my parents ‘this is my song.’ There’s a line in the song ‘I have no gifts to bring to lay before the king so I sing him this song. As a child I always felt, I have nothing to give baby Jesus but I can sing my song for him and people used to laugh in my family saying this is Rochelle’s song.

Any memories revolving around Santa Claus?

My parents always reminded us, Christmas is about Jesus, not Santa but one funny story is when we went to my grandmother’s house for a pre-Christmas party. I was six-seven years old and my mum dressed up as Santa. Everyone was cheering and I started bawling, I was so freaked out. My elder sister calmed me down and told me Santa is actually mum. I just jumped into her arms.

Your favourite part of Christmas?

Family time and the fact that your house looks so pretty for those few weeks. The Christmas carols and that everyone puts in equal effort to make the day cheerful. You connect with family.

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