For Elli AvrRam, Christmas has always been more than a festival — it is a feeling rooted in family, tradition and togetherness. Born and raised in Sweden, her childhood Christmases were spent amid snow, grandparents, cousins and cherished rituals. Though Mumbai is now home, the season still stirs a quiet longing for Sweden. This year, however, Elli has turned that nostalgia into celebration, hosting her most heartfelt Christmas yet in the city.

Recalling Christmas in Sweden, Elli shares, “Christmas meant the whole family coming together — decorating the house, putting up the tree, even changing curtains and cushions to Christmas ones. The days were filled with carols, singing and dancing, mulled wine, seasonal cookies and muffins, and the joy of exchanging gifts.”

Christmas Day followed traditions deeply etched in her memory. “We’d wake up to Christmas breakfast and lunch. At 3 pm, everyone watched special Christmas cartoons on TV. A public figure would light a candle and wish the nation a Merry Christmas — it’s a big tradition,” Elli shares.

The day continued with building snowmen, opening presents and ending with a cozy family dinner. In Mumbai, far from snow and gardens, Elli shared, “This is the first year I’ve bought a big Christmas tree and decorated my home. I’ve created my dream Christmas vibe and gone all out,” she says. She’s also making mulled wine on her own for the first time. “It was always something I did with my mom. Now I’ll be serving it to my friends.”

Elli added, “Since I’m not going home, I decided to celebrate here — with my friends and my two babies, Charles and Edward,” she adds, referring to her cats. The contrast with her early Christmases in Mumbai is stark. “The first Christmas I spent alone here was extremely depressing. I promised myself I’d never go through that again,” Elli admits. “I had a small tree back then — it wasn’t much fun. But I guess those moments teach you something too.”

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It’s Christmas today, and while actor Elli AvrRam usually spends the festival back home in Sweden with her family, this year, she is in Mumbai.

“I will be waking up with my two boys (her cats), Charles and Edward, and I’ve got them Christmas gifts too, which I’m going to try to make them open. They’re already sleeping under my Christmas tree, so cozy and cute. And it’s going to be a FaceTime celebration with my parents,” she says, adding, “This season means a lot to me and reminds me of Diwali.”

She shares, “When I moved to India and the way I saw Diwali being celebrated here, it has always given me the Christmas vibes. The way you just lit up your home, decorate it and make it warm and homely, that’s what Christmas is for me,” adding that decorating the Christmas tree is her favourite part of the festival.

The morning of Christmas brings back a rush of memories for Elli. “I always wanted to know what I was being gifted. So, I’d sneak in the middle of the night before Christmas to the tree where the gifts were put. I’d gently remove the wrap and see what was there, and then pack it again. Once, my parents caught me and asked why I would ruin the surprise. I replied to them, ‘But one can forget’, and since then, they have always used this line against me,” she laughs.

Elli’s family celebrates the festival with cosy meals, Christmas movies and cartoons, and a special evening treat. “My mom acted in the film Fanny And Alexander (1982), and it is shown every year on Christmas. Every time I see it, I get excited and have my fan moment. It’s a very nice ending to Christmas,” she shares.

The actor also remembers having a special gravy her mom makes during Xmas. “This year, I’m not going to get to eat that. But we are getting ginger cookies, I will make mulled wine, and have hot chocolate. There’s a saffron muffin that we only make in Sweden and eat on Christmas, and I’m making that too. It will give off a bit of a Christmas vibe.”