For model and actor Sharmiela Mandre, Christmas has always been synonymous with one place: her family's sprawling colonial ancestral home on Lavelle Road in Bangalore. This year, however, marks a poignant shift as she prepares to host the festive lunch for the first time without her grandmother and away from the beloved family house.
Cherished Memories of Lavelle Road Christmas Celebrations
Sharmiela's Christmas memories are steeped in the warmth of her large, extended family gathering unfailingly at her grandmother's house. The day would begin with the entire family attending mass at St. Patrick's Church, followed by a direct journey to the Lavelle Road home. Her mother, four uncles, their families, and countless cousins would converge, no matter where they were coming from.
"Everyone knew Christmas lunch would be at this house. Friends would drop in impromptu, and Grandma always made sure there was more than enough food. Everyone was welcome at her table," Sharmiela recalls. Her grandmother, Aureen Rodricks, was the heart of the celebration, planning the elaborate menu a month in advance and cooking every dish herself.
The event was a grand spectacle. From the exquisite food and beautiful cutlery to the lace table mats, floral arrangements, and a dessert counter boasting over 15 varieties, it was a complete sensory feast. Laughter and joy would fill the house until dinner, embodying a tradition that friends and family knew to find on Lavelle Road every December 25th.
A New Chapter: Hosting Christmas as an Ode to Grandma
The passing of her grandmother last year led to the sale of the family home, making this the first Christmas without both its matriarch and its physical anchor. "This year is our first Christmas without grandma and away from the family home," Sharmiela shares.
Determined to keep the spirit alive, she has taken on the mantle of hosting the Christmas lunch. "I've decided to host Christmas lunch, even though I can never be half as good as grandmum. In a way, this Christmas is my ode to her," she explains. This act is a tribute to the legacy of her Mangaluru Catholic roots from her mother's side, which her grandparents always honoured, with Christmas lunch being central to that identity.
The Spirit of Christmas: Forgiveness and New Beginnings
Amid the change, the core message of the season remains a guiding light for Sharmiela. She reveals that her mother recently texted her, reminding her that Christmas is a great time to forgive and let go.
"There's something about this season that makes you feel softer, happier, more generous. It always feels like the right time to make a quiet resolution or begin anew. That, to me, is the best way to sum up Christmas," she reflects. Embracing this sentiment, Sharmiela extends her hope for everyone to have a joyful and positive Christmas, marking a new beginning rooted in cherished memories.
