It's jingle tills as Christmas beckons

Valletta streets, usually quiet on Sunday, were yesterday buzzing with shoppers as preparations for Christmas entered the final week.

And although Saturday was rainy and windy, Republic Street Business Community Association president Victor Fenech Azzopardi said not too much disruption was caused.

"In the last few days the weather took a turn in our favour. It was chilly enough for people to get into a Christmas spirit and despite the rain (on Saturday) people were still out doing their shopping," he said.

According to Mr Azzopardi, the peak of Christmas shopping usually starts the Sunday before Christmas, which was yesterday. He said shops expected to be busy between yesterday and Friday.

Shoppers made their way from shop to shop under the watchful eye of Father Christmas and an "angel" walking tall on stilts along with a snowman which had already had too much to eat. Loudspeakers blared Christmas songs.

"We are hoping to get it all ready today because there is not much time left before Christmas," Colin Debattista, of Zejtun, said.

Mr Debattista said yesterday was the first time he was hitting the shops in search of Christmas gifts. He said Saturday's rainy weather disrupted the family's plans to go shopping and the spree was postponed to yesterday.

Richard and Lee Doherty, who although from Ireland and the United Kingdom respectively live in Siggiewi, also hit the decorated Valletta streets.

Other people, who have already done the bulk of their Christmas shopping, took the opportunity of the shops opening on a Sunday to do final errands. Alexandra Cortis and Charlotte Lanfranco were among them.

"Our Christmas shopping is mainly finished and we are just buying some last bits and pieces," they said.

Some ventured away from the centre of Valletta to the market in St James' Ditch. But according to one hawker the number of people was nothing compared to previous years.