In Bengaluru during the ’80s and ’90s, Christmas mornings meant the sweet smell of plum cake and streets glowing with fairy lights. Those born in that era cherish memories stronger than photos. The city’s festive spirit floated in the air—from parish choirs testing mics to pressure cookers hissing at home and cousins packing tightly into autorickshaws. Classic street spots like MG Road, Brigade Road, and Commercial Street were popular meeting points. ‘‘In the ’80s, we walked to midnight mass because hardly anyone had a car,’’ recalls Jom James, a 52-year city resident and restaurant owner. At home, celebrations were simple and heartfelt. James remembers his mother preparing appam and mutton stew while a small Christmas tree stood decorated with balloons. Food was the festival’s soul. Yamini Atmavilas, a native Bangalorean, recalls her mother buying nutty bars and rose cookies from Koshy’s on MG Road. The city came alive with displays like Nilgiris’ cake exhibition and Brigade Road’s towering Christmas tree, followed by evenings at Koshy’s on St Mark’s Road. These rituals involved bus rides through the city’s quieter, less crowded streets, with old pop songs from MTV drifting out of homes. Anisha VT, who has lived here since 1985, fondly remembers schoolchildren sneaking to watch hits by Alisha Chinai and others. But as Bengaluru grew, some festive magic faded. Longtime resident Sowmya Seetaram-Sagar misses bike rides down Commercial Street, which is now too crowded. Yet, she holds hope to someday bring her children to see the city’s Christmas tree and revive those gentle celebrations.