Christmas is this week and if you aren't the lazy type who just reassembles the same plastic fir tree every year – you can buy a real Christmas tree (branch really) on Havelock Road. It's all along that stretch where you see rambutans being sold in August.
The fir tree tradition of Christmas actually came from Germany. The ones in Sri Lanka are generally cut down and brought from Bandarawela, Haputale, Diyatalawa and Welimada.
Though Christmas is just a few days away, this stretch opposite the Laugfs petrol station is covered in big trees still not bought. You can get little ones for about Rs. 500, while the big ones are between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 3000.
Raja and his team set up shop here on the Havelock Road stretch as early as December 7th. He told us that they worked really hard to get the trees into Colombo and that it was upsetting that people didn't even know the trees were for sale here (most people get them on the Town Hall stretch). If you want to book a Christmas tree you can call him on 0726 574 387 or just walk by here.
Update: we've got another set of numbers, 703843700 or 758121027.
You also get firecrackers and everything related to them further up the pavement, closer to HNB. They're cheap, with whole packets for about Rs. 500 and less.
If you're looking to decorate your Christmas tree, Daya Perera Christmas Decor is a good place to check out.
