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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2009Seasonal 6

As the year draws to an end and the Christmas bells chime with endless joy, so do the waves at Mount Lavinia.

Mount Lavinia Hotel, as always, brings to you a Christmas that is bound to be memorable and cherished for years to come, with Sri Lanka enjoying its new found peace this year, Christmas and the new years is going to be a little extra special for us all. The blue and white Christmas décor at the Mount Lavinia Hotel leaves you enthralled at the harmonious beauty of the hotel and the blue sea to compliment it further. This is the only Hotel that has managed to get a natural Christmas tree, and as this old tree stands tall and welcomes you proudly as you drive in, you know Christmas is here!

You will be completely spoilt for choice this year, for the Hotel brings to you delicacies, events, music and much more like never before.

Enjoy a delicious and peaceful Christmas lunch or end your Christmas day by indulging yourself in a festive dinner at the Governor’s Restaurant and Terrace. All this while the talented Jerome Speldewinde will keep you entertained. Have a Christmas that will be cherished for years to come, have Christmas with Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The management has planned an array of events and unique dishes from around the world for the entire month of December. Mount Lavinia Hotel has begun celebrating Christmas right from the beginning of December.

A divine selection of seasonal goodies leaves you wanting for more at the Hotel’s very own ‘Gingerbread House’. Indulge yourself in the variety of sweet delicacies, from cakes to cookies and marzipans.

Be among the few to taste their renowned whole Roast Turkey with the traditional Bread Stuffi ng and Giblet Gravy, roast potatoes and country styled baked vegetables.

New YearThis will be your night to feel like a

complete celebrity. Make your dreams come true and dress like a star for the ‘Glamour Night’ at Mount Lavinia Hotel for this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an enchanting evening at the Terrace, all the way through to breakfast at sunrise. Music by Sharmen and the Reggae Colours, C&C, DJ Pierre and Jerome Speldewinde will keep you on your toes and help make your glamour night more enchanting. End your year with the best of cuisines and exciting delicacies. Treat yourself at the Seafood and Oyster Bar, Homemade Pasta station, Traditional Sri Lankan Breakfast, grand dessert buffet, Japanese Sushi Bar, a chocolate display and many other enticing dishes. All this and more is bound to make your New Year’s Eve night as memorable as any star would want.

Mount Lavinia Hotel affords you these amazing offers, all to make sure you have the best December and wishing you have a joyous and wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Sri Lanka’s biggest fashion chain – NOLIMIT – is geared to cater to the upcoming festive season, and to usher in the New Year in grand

style. All of NOLIMIT’s 16 fashion stores including Glitz and Pallu are ready with ample stocks of fashion items and new 2010 fashion this season, to cater to the requirements of their discerning customers. Furthermore, NOLIMIT customers can enjoy a 12.5% discount when paying with Sampath Bank credit and debit cards, or a 10% discount on Commercial Bank credit, debit cards and shopping cards during the festive season, which will be valid till December 31, 2009.

The new ladies party-wear and evening-wear range at NOLIMIT comprises classy western style dresses, frocks in fl owing silks and satins, skirts and blouses, all in vivid 2010 colours of green, sparkling jewel tones, tobacco brown, oxidized copper hues, plastic pink and pearl lavender, and in the traditional festive colours such as red and black, and are available in a wider choice of sizes and shades. The stylish gent’s casual-wear and party-wear collection at NOLIMIT will be a star attraction this season with attractive party shirts, trousers and matching accessories, while the children’s section is amply stocked with trendy kids wear, shoes and other accessories such as bags, belts and hair bands, clips etc. The much talked about denim collection for ladies, gents and teenagers at NOLIMIT are available in various cuts, styles, colours and

shapes – is unique and unmatchable.“Now that peace has dawned on Sri

Lanka, our customers can enjoy this festive season with their friends and loved ones like never before. And to match this festive mood of the people, we are catering to their requirements with a carefully chosen range of fashion items and accessories which are available islandwide, through NOLIMIT’s fashion stores” said Marketing Manager- NOLIMIT, A.L.M. Akeel.

The accessories section at the NOLIMIT fashion stores have been amply stocked with clutch purses, handbags, shoes and jewellery handpicked to match the new styles and trends by NOLIMIT’s in-store fashion experts.

Attractively designed NOLIMIT gift vouchers are available in various denominations ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 5,000, are ideal as gifts for loved ones during this gift-giving season.

In addition, the courteous and helpful staff, ample parking facilities and the

spacious and well designed, laid out stores creating an ambience of seasonal festivities will no doubt make

the NOLIMIT shopping experience an enjoyable one for the whole family.

All 16 NOLIMIT and Glitz fashion stores spread islandwide are now ready to welcome their customers with the latest and exclusive collection of fashion-wear and fashion items.

BY THARINDU PREMATILLAKE

Walking towards Zden, located down Melbourne

Avenue, Bambalapitiya, it is diffi cult not to let your spirits take a jump, when you see the vividly colourful products peeking out at you through the display walls. I walked in to Zden because I had to get information to write this article, but several times, during the 45 minutes I browsed through the wide array of eye catching products, I actually forgot why I was in the shop in the fi rst place, because I couldn’t help trying to decide what I was going to buy for myself!

To say that Zden has everything a household needs is not an exaggeration. This store has everything from glassware, wooden or stainless-steel pots and pans, pillows, hand woven bed sheets, table cloths, utensils, eye catching plants, beautifully decorated mirrors, toys, natural paper products, clothes and accessories. The high quality, huge variety and eclectic selection are some of the reasons that Zden has a client base that ranges from excited children, old ladies, busy housewives and young couples to high end hotels and restaurants.

Finding the right hamper to give your loved ones

during the Christmas season can be a very important matter. However, it might not always be easy to come up with the hamper that fi ts perfectly with your wishes. Zden has come up with the answer to that problem by allowing you to create personalised hampers, so that you don’t end up giving the same gift to your uncle, niece and boss! To make things even more exciting for the holiday season, Zden has special discounts on almost all their products, and you will get a free gift when you purchase products worth over Rs. 2000.

A defi ning feature of Zden is that it boasts of high quality products

produced mainly by local rural communities. The attractive beeralu and lace products are produced in fi shing villages from Galle, the popular handlooms come from families affected by the tsunami, the shirts, sarongs and sarees are produced by poor families in the East, and from fi shing villages in Negombo come toys and paintings. Zden is also working with ‘Sisters of Charity’ to better the lives of 300 children in an IDP camp in Chettikulam, by coordinating a project to give these children gifts and items that will make their everyday life a little brighter.

One thing that I will guarantee is that, once you walk into Zden, you will not walk out empty handed. When I walked into Ziden, I was planning on walking out with just a few pages of my notepad fi lled with information to write a simple article. I did fi ll out the pages in my notepad, but I also carried out a bag fi lled with some Ziden goodies that I just had to have!

Celebrate the season of goodwill and cheer in Grand style

at the Cinnamon Grand! Our unique Cinnamon Grand experience will be prevalent in all events, making the Cinnamon Grand the place to be this yuletide season! Whether you’re looking for a magical workshop for your kids, the Cinnamon Grand’s fi rst ever Christmas Carnival or a family dinner with loved ones, we have everything you need to make this holiday season an unforgettable one.

To kick off the season, the Cinnamon Grand, in association with Soul Sounds, presents the many ‘Moods of Christmas’ on December 20, in an enchanting musical

evening for the whole family. Moods of Christmas will be held in the Atrium Lobby from 7:30 pm onwards, with refreshments.

The Cinnamon Grand’s fi rst ever Christmas Carnival will be held poolside on December 21. From

6:00 pm onwards, enjoy a special Xmas BBQ, Game Stalls, plenty of seasonal carols and lots more!

The successful Santa’s Workshop returns this year on December 22, with two sessions from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5.30 pm. Children between 6 and 10 years are promised a morning rife with exciting activities!

Taprobane offers a Christmas Eve buffet in two sessions with the fi rst sitting at 7:00 pm and the second from 9:30 pm onwards. Cheers Pub holds a traditional Christmas Carvery. Tao’s Christmas Epicurean brings you 22 dishes in a fusion of fl avours served to your table. Indulge in a six course gourmet Christmas Eve dinner at London Grill. Breeze Bar hosts a Christmas Eve BBQ from 7:00 pm to midnight with Dillon from USB. Christmas Infi nity at Echo is back. A South Indian buffet showcases Chutneys.

Taprobane offers a Christmas lunch buffet in two sessions with the fi rst sitting at 11:30 am and the second from 1:30 pm onwards.

For Christmas dinner, enjoy an international Christmas buffet at Taprobane with the fi rst sitting at 7:00 pm and the second sitting from 9:30 pm onwards. Cheers Pub offers a traditional

Christmas Carvery lunch and a Christmas Carvery dinner. Enjoy a traditional Italian Christmas feast for lunch at Echo. Tao offers a Christmas dinner set menu and a six course gourmet dinner at London Grill.

A gala New Year’s Eve dinner at Taprobane will be held in two sittings with the fi rst at 7:00 pm and the second from 9:30 pm onwards. Cheers Pub offers a British Carvery dinner buffet with Dillon from USB. Tao’s fusion set menu makes a grand return. Lagoon’s delicious seafood fare highlights 31st night dinner with two sittings. The 1st sitting starts at 7.00 pm and the second sitting starts at 9.30 pm. A seven course fi ne dining option highlights London Grill, and at Echo’s an Italian buffet. Indulge in a South Indian buffet at Chutneys.

Highlighting the occasion is the New Year’s Eve gala dinner dance at the Oak Room. Featuring Misty and Sohan & the X-periments on stage, the party kicks into high gear at 9 pm and doesn’t stop until the wee hours of the morning! A pool party with DJ music is also on offer for New Year’s Eve diners at Taprobane, London Grill, Tao, The Lagoon, Chutneys and Echo from 9 pm onwards.

All prices are inclusive of service charge and government taxes. For reservations please call 2 497 470 or 0773 136 778.

It was a night to remember as halls were decked with boughs of holly, metaphorically actually, as Christmas celebrations started

with a bang at the Hilton Colombo on December 4. Full of fun and frolic the Hilton team unveiled their Christmas tree; the trademark triangular iron structure holding over 60 miniature Santa Clauses in attires inspired by numerous outfi ts of various countries.

Each of these adorable sized Santas are still available for sale at the prices of Rs.3,000 and above and as always all proceedings are to go for charity; to the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana.

For the rest of this glorious and festive month Colombo Hilton invites all of you to bring along family and friends; treat yourselves into all the yummiest goodies available at the real gingerbread house that was a hit even during the previous year, and try out the Chocolate Praline Yule Log, Marzipan Christmas Trees, Christmas cookies and more whereas mouth-watering roast turkey with stuffi ng, Virginia Sugar Ham with Pineapple and other savory food items could be ordered in advance.

In terms of food & beverage, every outlet will have something “Christmassy” to offer all diners on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day lunch and Christmas Day dinner. The Spices restaurant coffee shop will offer the biggest Christmas buffet in town with all the traditional favorites whilst a very extravagant set menu will be compiled at Spoons this Christmas and will surely leave those taste-buds asking for more. For something more Italian head over to Il Ponte or to Emperor’s Wok for something Cantonese whereas Curry Leaf and Ginza Hohsen also will have Sri Lankan and Japanese set menus on offer respectively.

Experience a taste of quality and authenticity as the Thorana Lounge brews a new kind of tea; Ceylon Gourmet Black Tea that includes a natural spicy cinnamon, pungent cloves and aromatic mint leaves that will combine the natural goodness of tea with the benefi ts of spices. The Christmas “Blend” too will be on every Wednesdays and Sundays from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. with different themes on each day. The Lounge will be hosting “The Voice of Praise” choir who will be singing carols for the festive season from December 21 to 24. The famous Karl Katz Ensemble will also play jazz tunes from December 17 to January 9 on Sundays at the Thorana Lounge and from Tuesday to Saturday at the Il Ponte Ristorante.

Kids will be delighted to know that they are not left out this Christmas as Hilton Colombo; apart from enjoying the real Gingerbread house and all the treats it has to offer, Santa Clause will be strolling through the lobby from December 20-25 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Festivity galore at Hilton

Uplift your spirits at Zden

Endless joy at Mount Lavinia Hotel

NOLIMIT geared for this Festive Season

Cinnamon Grand’s Cinnamon Grand’s seasonal line-upseasonal line-up

Christmas carols are among the oldest of holiday

traditions, stretching back centuries, and will be sung on the 23 and 24 after 8:00 pm, with an additional and exclusive performance by Silhouette, throughout December.

Giving into a novel idea for children to drop off their wishes in Santa’s Mail Box, and they will receive a Christmas gift from the old man himself on the 25 between 12 noon and 3:00 pm. Make it a family occasion, sit down to lunch as well and be entertained by a magic show and carols sung live.

Santa’s Mail Box – Watch out for Santa Claus from December 20 to 24, from 6-8 pm, and then once again on the 25 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm, and have lunch with Santa on Christmas day. For those who dropped a letter in the mail box, here’s a special treat – enjoy lunch with none other than the Father of Christmas, and receive a gift on the 25.

Enjoy a range of

traditional and other favourite Christmas goodies from cakes, puddings to Yule logs, cookies and Marzipan fruits from the 10 to the 31 at the Cookie Hut that will be situated at the Hotel’s Lobby area.

The California Grill will be hosting a Christmas Eve Dinner as well as a Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinner with music by Paul Pereira and Klaviola. If you’re looking to celebrate this festive season with a difference, then Stix will provide you just that, the Chinese way on New Year’s Eve. If that does not do it either, then head over to Sheherezade, Galadari’s Arabic restaurant, and enjoy a true Middle Eastern styled buffet on December 24 and 31 night.

For those looking for a more energetic way to spend new year’s eve, the Margarita Blue is right up your alley, as music by Effex DJ’s will keep you dancing till the wee hours of the morning. If the scrumptious spread at the Coffee Stop temps

you, then head over there as well, and take pleasure in dining on the 24 and 25 to a candlelight dinner buffet.

Dine at any of the restaurants at the Hotel and, if your bill exceeds Rs 3,500, Galadari offers your accompanying child a special Christmas gift!

Instead of listening to other’s belting out the latest tunes in music, why take a shot at it yourself ? With a minimum charge of only Rs 1,000, sing away into 2010 at the Galadari Hotel, and celebrate in style with a complimentary cocktail

Make the coming of a new year an event you and your family will never forget at the Family Gala Dinner Dance hosted by the Galadari Hotel, and enjoy a truly International Dinner Buffet with live music by Heart‘N’Soul!

Re-live traditions at Galadari

As Sri Lanka enjoys its new found peace while Christmas cheer is in the air, and the dawn of a whole new year brings hope of peace and prosperity, enjoy the moment and be ready to cherish some wonderful memories. Be merry, be bright and happy as Colombo brings the festive season of Christmas alive this year like never before, for the entire family. Whether it is to live in the moment whilst listening to carols being sung, or dining with loved ones at some of the best five-star hotels in town, and make it all an unforgettable event along with them, as we celebrate Christmas and the New Year in grand style BY SHABNA CADER & NABIHA ARIFF

SHOP AROUND SHOP AROUND THIS CHRISTMASTHIS CHRISTMAS