A Traditional Indian Christmas Feast: Flavours, Family and Festive Joy

Christmas in India is a vibrant blend of faith, family and fabulous food. 

While the country is home to many cultures and cuisines, its Christian communities, from Kerala to Goa, from Mumbai to the North East, have developed rich Christmas traditions that combine local flavours with centuries-old heritage.

If you fancy celebrating the season with something a little different this year, an Indian Christmas feast offers colour, spice and heart-warming dishes that are perfect for gathering your loved ones around the table.

The Heart of the Celebration

Although Christmas menus vary across India, one thing is universal: food brings everyone together. Preparations often begin days in advance, with households filling their kitchens with the aromas of roasting spices, baking fruit-rich cakes and simmering curries.

Christmas Day normally starts with church services, followed by home visits, open houses and a big family meal. Many communities exchange plates of homemade sweets with their neighbours – a gesture known in Goa and parts of Karnataka as “Kuswar.”

Star Dishes of an Indian Christmas Feast

1. Goan Roast Pork Sorpotel

A Goan Christmas classic, sorpotel is a richly spiced pork dish slow-cooked with vinegar, chilli and aromatics. Its tangy, fiery depth pairs beautifully with soft pão, the traditional Portuguese-influenced bread rolls baked in local bakeries.

2. Kerala Christmas Chicken Roast

In Kerala, families often serve Nadan Chicken Roast, a deep red, slow-roasted chicken cooked with caramelised onions, curry leaves, black pepper and aromatic spices. It's usually accompanied by appam (fermented rice pancakes) or fragrant ghee rice.

3. Anglo-Indian Plum Cake

Every region has its version of Christmas cake, but the Indian plum cake is especially beloved. Typically soaked for weeks in rum or fruit juice, the dried fruits give this cake its deep flavour. Bakeries across India begin selling plum cakes from early December – and queues can be long!

4. Mutton Biryani

A festive biryani always feels special, and for Christmas many families prepare an elaborate mutton biryani with saffron, fried onions and warming spices. Often the centrepiece of the table, it’s served with cooling raita and crisp pappadums.

5. Kuswar: The Sweet Spread

In Goa and Mangalorean homes, plates of Kuswar fill the table. These can include:

Neureos – deep-fried pastries filled with coconut and jaggery

Kalkals – tiny, sugar-dusted fried curls

Bebinca – a layered Goan pudding made with coconut milk, eggs and ghee

Rose cookies – lacy, floral-shaped treats dipped in batter and fried

No Indian Christmas celebration feels complete without an assortment of these sweets.

Vegetarian Delights for Christmas

Many Indian families follow vegetarian traditions, especially in parts of South India. Popular dishes include:

Vegetable Cutlets – lightly spiced patties of potato and veg, crumb-coated and fried

Paneer Butter Masala – rich, creamy and perfect with naan

Vegetable Stew with Appam – aromatic and comforting

Jeera Rice and Dal Tadka – simple but flavour-packed sides that appeal to all ages

These dishes are often served with homemade pickles and chutneys, creating a beautifully balanced festive meal.

Drinks to Complete the Feast

An Indian Christmas table often includes warming drinks such as:

Homemade wine (especially in Kerala and Goa)

Masala chai with ginger, cardamom and cloves

Spiced coffee

Tender coconut water in coastal regions

Some families also prepare a festive punch made with citrus, ginger and spices.

Bringing an Indian Christmas Home

You don’t need to be in India to enjoy the brightness of an Indian Christmas feast. A few ideas to help you celebrate:

Add a spicy centrepiece like biryani or Kerala roast chicken to your Christmas menu.

Bake an Anglo-Indian fruit-soaked plum cake instead of (or alongside) the traditional British version.

Create your own Kuswar platter to share with family, neighbours and colleagues.

Decorate your home with bright colours, oil lamps and fragrant spices such as cinnamon and cloves.

Play festive songs in English, Hindi, Malayalam or Konkani to set the mood.

It’s a wonderful way to honour another culture while adding something unique to your own celebrations.

A traditional Indian Christmas feast is a joyful blend of heritage, generosity and flavour. Whether you’re hosting an Indian-themed Christmas dinner or simply looking to add a touch of spice to your holiday table, these dishes and traditions offer warmth worth sharing.

Why not try an Indian Christmas this year? 

Why a Genuine Indian Kansa Wand is the Perfect Christmas Gift for Self-Care and Beauty Enthusiasts

When it comes to thoughtful gifting, Christmas is the time to go beyond the usual socks and selection boxes. If you’re looking for a present that’s not just beautiful, but also meaningful and beneficial, an Ayurvedic Kansa Wand could be the ideal choice.

What is a Kansa Wand?

The Kansa Wand is a traditional Ayurvedic wellness tool made with a smooth wooden handle and a domed tip of kansa—a sacred blend of copper and tin known as "bell metal". 

For centuries, this metal has been prized in Ayurveda for its balancing properties and is believed to help reduce stress, promote energy flow, and restore the skin’s natural radiance.

The Gift of Wellness

We live in a busy, often stressful world. Many of us end the year feeling run down, burnt out, and in need of a reset. The Kansa Wand makes a wonderful Christmas gift because it’s not just another item to clutter the home—it’s a tool for self-care.

With gentle massage, the Kansa Wand:

Helps release tension from the face and body

Stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage

Supports relaxation and mental calm

Brings a natural, radiant glow to the skin

Imagine giving a loved one the gift of relaxation and rejuvenation that they can enjoy again and again, long after the decorations are packed away.

A Unique and Ethical Choice

Unlike mass-produced beauty gadgets, Kansa Wands are traditionally handcrafted in India, often by artisans who have passed the craft down through generations. Choosing this as a Christmas present means supporting both heritage and sustainability, while offering your recipient something unique and deeply personal.

Perfect for Everyone on Your List

Whether you’re shopping for a beauty lover, a wellness enthusiast, or simply someone who deserves more "me time," a Kansa Wand fits the bill. It’s unisex, easy to use, and doesn’t require batteries, apps, or complicated routines—just a few minutes a day to feel refreshed.

Wrap Up Relaxation This Christmas

This year, instead of another novelty gift destined for the cupboard, why not surprise your friends or family with something that promotes health, calm, and balance? An Ayurvedic Kansa Wand is more than a Christmas present—it’s a reminder to slow down, take care, and enjoy a little daily ritual of self-care.

My wife and I bought Kansa Wands for each other as early Christmas presents, which is what inspired is to create this blogpost.

Traditional Christmas Cooking for Indian Christians: A Celebration of Faith and Flavours

Christmas in India is a vibrant tapestry of faith, culture, and cuisine, where age-old traditions blend seamlessly with local flavours. 

For Indian Christians, the Christmas season is marked by heartfelt prayers, midnight masses, and, of course, the aroma of festive delicacies wafting through the air. 

The kitchen becomes the heart of the celebration, bringing families together to prepare a feast that honours both heritage and the joy of the season.

Here’s a glimpse into the culinary traditions that make Christmas a magical time for Indian Christians.

Christmas Cake: A Festive Essential

The Christmas cake is an unmissable highlight of the season. Inspired by the classic plum cake brought by the British, it has been lovingly adapted to suit Indian palates. This rich, spiced cake is brimming with dried fruits, nuts, and a generous splash of rum or brandy. The preparation often begins weeks in advance, with families soaking dried fruits in spirits to ensure the flavours deepen.

In many homes, baking the Christmas cake is a cherished family ritual, with everyone gathering to mix the ingredients—a process often accompanied by laughter, carols, and a prayer for blessings in the coming year.

Savoury Stars of the Table

While sweets hold a special place, the savoury dishes in an Indian Christian Christmas feast are equally noteworthy.

Vindaloo or Sorpotel: From Goa to Kerala, pork dishes like vindaloo or sorpotel are staples at Christmas gatherings. These slow-cooked dishes are infused with vinegar, spices, and a touch of jaggery, creating a harmonious balance of heat and tang.

Appam and Stew: In Kerala, a Christmas breakfast often features appam (fermented rice pancakes) served with a fragrant stew made with chicken, lamb, or vegetables simmered in coconut milk.

Biryani: For many families, biryani is a centrepiece dish, showcasing a medley of fragrant basmati rice, tender meat, and warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.

Sweets for the Soul

Indian Christians have a rich tradition of Christmas sweets, influenced by regional cuisines yet unified by their festive spirit.

Kulkuls: These tiny, deep-fried curls of dough are coated in sugar syrup and have a delightful crunch. Kulkuls are often made in large batches, perfect for sharing with neighbours and friends.

Neureos: A Goan favourite, these sweet, crescent-shaped pastries are filled with coconut, jaggery, and nuts, and fried to golden perfection.

Bebinca: This decadent, layered Goan dessert is made with coconut milk, eggs, and sugar, baked layer by layer for a stunning finish. Bebinca is a labour of love and a symbol of Christmas indulgence.

Drinks to Toast the Season

No Christmas meal is complete without a festive drink to raise a toast. Many families brew their own homemade wine using grapes or plums, a practice steeped in tradition. For those seeking something more warming, a cup of spiced tea or coffee infused with cardamom and cinnamon is the perfect way to round off a hearty meal.

The Spirit of Community and Sharing

Christmas cooking in Indian Christian households is about more than just the food; it’s a celebration of togetherness and generosity. The festive season is a time to share meals, sweets, and love with neighbours of all faiths, reflecting India’s pluralistic spirit.

As you plan your Christmas menu this year, consider drawing inspiration from these rich culinary traditions. Whether it’s a slice of boozy plum cake, a bowl of aromatic biryani, or a crunchy kulkul, each bite tells a story of faith, family, and festivity.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy, warmth, and delicious food!

Interestingly as my wife's family originated in India some of the above utterly delicious dishes are not unknown in our home!

Mandira's Kitchen will bring something special to your family's Christmas feasting

Mandira’s kitchen are an award-winning producer of delicious and authentic Indian food. Their all woman team, which based from a converted 400 year old cowshed, overlooking the magical Silent Pool in the Surrey Hills, create delicious freezer meals, and accompaniments like authentic chutneys and ice creams and also  provide bespoke catering and food experiences like cookery lessons and spice tours. 

All the food is made using fresh produce, contains no gluten or unpronounceable bits and there are vegan and dairy free options. Delivered to any address, the food can be heated within four minutes to give you a wholesome homemade meal.

People who want to enjoy authentic Indian meals over Christmas will be pleased to know that Mandira's Kitchen has all their needs and requirements catered for.

They are, once again, ready to make this Christmas utterly unforgettable with a delightful and stunning array of gifts and celebrations.

This year they have curated their best dishes to ensure that your Christmas party is a real breeze, with the host spending the minimal time in their kitchen.

Or if you like, they can even arrange an exciting new pop-up restaurant, or their wn special catered events?

Looking for gifts for the foodies in your life, then they also have you covered!

All their Christmas offers are detailed here: https://www.mandiraskitchen.com/pages/festive-2023

For delivery UK wide they even have a range of some special new limited edition products for the festive season!

This year, Mandira's Kitchen is thrilled to introduce two exciting new festive additions to their freezer meals menu. Turkey Samosas, a perfect fusion of traditional holiday flavours that are a perfect canape for guests at a party.

To complement the festive spirit, Mandira's Kitchen presents a tantalising Cranberry & Spiced Rum Chutney. Bursting with the tangy sweetness of cranberries and infused with the warmth of locally sourced spiced rum, this chutney is the really ideal accompaniment to the Turkey Samosas.  Both of which will be available from November 2023.

Coming Soon to Mandira's Kitchen – Saffron Soirée -a Festive Indian Fine Dining Pop Up – Winter 2023

Mandira's Kitchen are celebrating this year's festive season with a magical pop-up restaurant!

From mid-October right through until Christmas, our friends at Mandira's Kitchen will present a unique and enchanting space (an extension to their existing space) that promises to elevate your celebrations to new heights with one-of-a-kind experiences for private gatherings and events in their Saffron Soiree – a Festive Indian fine dining Pop Up.

Guests will take a magical step into a world of captivating flavours, delightful aromas, and heart-warming traditions with curated alternative festive menus to tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving for much more.

Mandira's Kitchen's team of expert chefs has carefully crafted a selection of dishes beautifully blend the richness of Indian cuisine with the festive spirit of the season.

Besides the special menu, the Winter Wonderland will have charming décor, magical twinkling lights, and a cosy ambiance, the pop-up restaurant will be the perfect setting to create treasured memories with your loved ones, friends and colleagues.

Mandira Sarkar said: “Our fine dining pop-up is a really, truly enchanting space  offering curated alternative festive menus we aim tp really tantalise your taste buds and transport you to a magical place blending  the richness of Indian cuisine with the spirit of the season.”

To book your private event or indulge in the curated menus as you celebrate with those who matter most head to www.mandiraskitchen.com This will be Christmas with a delightful Indian flair.

For more information visit the website or call them on 01483 940789

Location – Next to Mandira's Kitchen, Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury, Surrey, GU5 9BW.