A Winter Walk Down Memory Lane: Bengali Rooftop Picnics, Pithe Puli & Christmas

Take a nostalgic walk through 90's Bengali Childhood winters - rooftop picnics, pithe puli, and heartfelt Christmas moments in a small-town home.

Christmas has always been more than just a festival for me. It is a season of warmth, love, and togetherness that carries with it the essence of pure joy. As a child, it wasn’t about elaborate decorations or expensive gifts. Instead, it was a time to embrace the simple pleasures of life—moments that became the foundation of my fondest memories.

Winters in Our Home

My home town Khardah is more than just a town – it was the heart of my childhood. Being a mofossil town, Khardah has tight-knit communities where people often know each other personally. This creates a supportive and caring environment where family and friendships thrive. The town’s close-knit atmosphere, combined with its easy access to the bustling city of Kolkata, gives Khardah a unique blend of tranquillity and urban energy.

Our home, perfectly in sync with the charm of the place, stood as a haven of warmth and simplicity. It was a vibrant hub of love, laughter, and togetherness. We were seven people living under one roof—my parents, my grandfather, my grandmother, my sister and me. Winters were a time for school holidays, quiet cozy afternoons filled with activities that brought us closer.

I recall those winter mornings when the sun seemed brighter, and the air carried a refreshing chill. After finishing my homework, I would head outside to play badminton in the sunlight. The tangy sweetness of oranges was a constant companion during these moments. There was something magical about being outside in the crisp air, the sun shining just enough to make the oranges we ate taste even sweeter. These small, simple joys shaped my childhood winters.

The Joy of Local Picnics

One of the most awaited events of winter was the neighbourhood picnic. It was a celebration of community spirit. Friends, neighbours, and even seniors came together to make it happen. The preparations began days in advance. We would collect contributions from the participants, pool our resources, and purchase the items needed for the picnic. The anticipation of the day, the excitement of organizing, and the camaraderie in planning made it an experience I still cherish. On picnic day, we would gather on our or any of a neighbor’s rooftop, laden with food and laughter. It wasn’t the location or the menu that mattered—it was the shared joy, the sense of belonging, and the memories we created together.

Christmas at Home: A Celebration of Togetherness

Christmas in our home is more than a holiday; it’s a blend of flavors, memories, and emotions. It’s a time to celebrate love, gratitude, and the joy of togetherness, while also honoring the little traditions that make it uniquely ours. December 25th was always magical day in our house.  My uncle and my aunt, along with their families, members of extended families, other relatives would visit us.

The preparations begin days ahead, with the kitchen bustling with activity and the air filled with the aroma of festive delicacies. While cakes are a staple, the true stars of our Christmas table are traditional Bengali winter delights. My mother with her warmth and culinary skills, prepared a feast for everyone. Fried rice was always a part of the menu—a dish that became a symbol of our Christmas tradition.

Patisapta, with its soft crepes and sweet coconut filling, puli pithe steeped in jaggery syrup, and the creamy, comforting notun gurer payesh, are the highlights of the season. The crown jewel of our winter celebrations, however, is the nolen gurer sondesh, a dessert so special it always becomes the center of attention. These dishes bring a unique cultural touch to our Christmas and make it a celebration that’s deeply rooted in tradition and family love. Our Christmas was about love, unity, and the warmth of family and friends.

Perfect Frying Pan for Fishing Fry

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Along with the celebrations at home, we also made trips to my aunt’s house, where my cousins and other relatives would gather. My aunt’s and her malpua, fried rice, cakes and so on were legendary in our family. Her home-made cakes were the most delicious cakes for me till now. As a child I was amazed by her cake making skill. She made those fluffy delicious cakes without even oven just in pressure cooker. The aroma of newly baked cake of my aunt’s house were mindboggling.  It was a reminder that the simplest moments are often the most meaningful.

Our celebrations didn’t end there. We also visited my maternal uncle’s house during the winter holidays. My uncles, grandparents on my mother’s side welcomed us with open arms. There were no grand parties or extravagant feasts, but the celebrations were rich with genuine connections and heartfelt moments. It was a time when love and togetherness overshadowed everything else.

Rituals That Defined Our Winters

Winters were also marked by specific rituals. Visiting the places with family, cousins, friends with their families was an essential part of our holiday routine.

1. Visiting the Zoo

A trip to the zoo was an essential part of our winter holidays. It was a day filled with wonder and excitement, as we marvelled at the animals and enjoyed the outdoors with our cousins and friends. Special part was sharing food which we brought from home. Spread a mat in the field of zoo sitting altogether and sharing home-made food was so tasteful from today’s expensive eatery’s lunch. After that playing badminton in the park of the zoo was must. All these together made these visits truly unforgettable.

2. Exploring Museums

Winters were also the time for cultural and historical exploration. Visiting museums became a cherished tradition. Walking through the exhibits, learning about art, history, and culture, and discussing what we saw with family made the experience both fun and educational.

3. A Day at Science City

Trips to Science City were a source of immense joy and curiosity. It was a place where learning met entertainment, and we loved exploring the interactive exhibits and science shows.

4. Visits to the Planetarium

A visit to the planetarium was a magical experience. Sitting under the dome and watching the stars, planets, and galaxies come alive on the screen felt like embarking on a journey through space. It was an experience that left us in awe and wonder every single time.

5. The Circus

Winters also brought the circus to town—a thrilling experience that combined laughter, amazement, and awe. From watching acrobats perform daring stunts to marveling at the clown’s antics, the circus created memories of joy and wonder that remain etched in my heart.

6. Flower Exhibition and local book fair and Cultural Program in our area-: The memories of sneaking out with my best friends, attending local book fairs, visiting flower exhibitions, and enjoying small local functions were some of the most cherished moments of my life. We would explore the world with wide-eyed wonder, savoring delicious local snacks like crispy pattice and hot jhalmuri, and sharing countless stories and laughter along the way—all with the permission of our families. One of the highlights was always purchasing new books. The smell of a freshly printed book is, for me, the most magical scent in the world—it carries a promise of new worlds to explore.

Words that warm the winter: Wishes in Paper, memories forever

There’s another tradition that holds a very special place in my heart—the exchange of greeting cards. As a child, one of the most exciting parts of Christmas and New Year was the flurry of beautifully designed cards exchanged among friends. These weren’t just cards; they were heartfelt gestures, carrying handwritten messages that conveyed love, gratitude, and good wishes. Each card felt like a personal touch of warmth, a gentle reminder that you mattered in someone’s life. 

I still remember the joy of picking out the perfect card for someone, or the excitement of receiving one and reading the words within. Over time, these cards became more than just a tradition; they became memories preserved on paper. Even today, I have a collection of those cherished cards—some from decades ago. Flipping through them now feels like traveling back in time, each card a story of a connection, a moment, or a heartfelt exchange that still brings a smile to my face. They are the reminder of a beautiful era when emotions were penned down with care, and the joy of giving and receiving was far more personal.

Culinary Inspirations: The Beginning of a Passion

One of the most significant aspects of these celebrations was the food. Whether it was prepared at our home or at my relatives’ houses, the dishes were always delightful.

I often wondered how my grandmothers managed to make food so delicious with few simple ingredients without any extravaganza. My mother made so much dishes like fish fry, veg or nonveg cutlets, chili paneer, chili fish along with so many Bengali traditional delicacies like Chittol macher muitha, Koimacher horogouri and so on by herself quickly. That time she was so interested in making variety of dishes that she purchased so many cook books and learn from there. Believe me those dishes were too delicious. Till now whenever she cooks, she is spot on and outstanding. My curiosity grew, and even though I didn’t know how to make a cup of tea back then, I found myself drawn to the art of cooking. The turning point came when my aunt (Pisimoni) taught me how to bake a cake in a pressure cooker. All these culinary marvels of our family inspired me. Only by watching them cook with such love and skill enthused me to try my hand at cooking. It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead to my deep passion for food.

 

Baking Recipe of my childhood- Pressure Cooker Cake with Newspaper Base

Cake Mold Perfect for Baking

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In the spirit of the season, I’d like to share a simple recipe which I first ever learned and made- pressure cooker cake.

 Ingredients:

     1.       All-purpose flour (Maida) – 1 cup
2.     Powdered Sugar – 1 cup
3.     Oil – 1 cup
4.     Baking powder – 1 tsp
5.     Vanilla essence – 1 tsp
6.     Eggs – 2
7.     Salt – 1/4 tsp
8.     Oil (for greasing) – as needed
9.     Newspaper (for the base)

Perfect Whisker for Perfect Cake Batter

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pressure Cooker:

·       Take a piece of newspaper and fold it to fit the bottom of your pressure cooker. This     acts as a protective layer to avoid the cake from burning. Place the folded newspaper     at walls of the cooker also. Lightly grease with oil and pour a bit of oil over the             newspaper too to prevent it from sticking.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter:

·            In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs well. Add sugar, oil, and vanilla essence to          the eggs and mix thoroughly.
·       In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
·       Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture.
·       Stir until you get a smooth batter.

 

My Handy Eco-Friendly Butter Paper

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3. Bake the Cake:

     ·        Place a newspaper cover the base and the walls of pressure cooker.
·       Grease the newspaper base and walls of pressure cooker with oil.
·       Close the lid of the pressure cooker, but do not place the pressure weight.
·       Set the heat to low and bake for 20-30 minutes, checking after 15 minutes. You             can use a toothpick to check if the cake is done; it should come out clean.
·       After the cake has cooled, remove it from the newspaper and cut it into slices.

 

Looking back, the celebrations of my childhood weren’t about material things. What we had was something far more valuable—the joy of being together, the warmth of shared moments, and the love that bound us. These simple yet unforgettable experiences are like treasures that stay with me, and as I reflect on them, I realize that writing them all down would fill an entire book—each memory a chapter, each moment a story that can never be forgotten.

 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with love, togetherness, and the warmth of family and very Happy New Year in advance. May your celebrations be as magical and meaningful as the memories of my childhood winters.