#India #Mumbai #Christmas Trees #The Leela #Lippan Art

Mirrors of Hope: Celebrating Craft and Heritage this Festive Season

The joyous holiday season takes on a unique twist with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts' latest initiative - "Mirrors of Hope". This innovative celebration is designed to highlight the beautiful and traditional Lippan artistry, an ancient craft that demonstrates India's rich heritage and luxurious expression. The initiative features handcrafted Christmas trees made by talented women artisans, showcasing their craftsmanship and storytelling abilities.

A Meaningful Festivity

Managed across select hotels, including The Leela Palace New Delhi and The Leela Palace Jaipur, the Christmas trees symbolize more than just festive decoration. They serve as a meaningful intersection of cultural storytelling, sustainability, and purpose-driven design. Each tree is not only a visual delight but also a commitment to empowering women through artisanal work supported by the Karigar Foundation.

The Lippan art itself, known for its beautiful use of mud and mirror work, embodies themes of joy, prosperity, and self-reflection. Each handcrafted tree stands tall as a testament to the artisans' skill, crafted from sustainable materials and adorned with intricate patterns and mirror inlays that breathe new life into traditional designs.

Sustainability at its Core

“Mirrors of Hope” mirrors The Leela’s enduring commitment to sustainability and mindful luxury. Designed with reuse in mind, these delightful installations won't simply be discarded after the festive season. Instead, they will be transformed into keepsakes such as decorative gifts and ornaments, promoting a cycle of sustainability and honoring the creativity of those who made them.

Anjali Mehra, Executive Vice President - Brand and Communications at The Leela, remarked, "Lippan art has a quiet power that transforms simple materials into something luminous. By creating these artistic trees, we aim to foster connections to our heritage and to the inspiring women behind this craft. Through this initiative, we want all of our guests to experience a festive season that carries deeper meaning."

An Invitation to Celebrate

Guests visiting The Leela during this festive period are invited to engage with the installations by sharing their photos online using the hashtags #MirrorsOfHope and #LeelaEmpowersHer. For every post, The Leela will provide support to the participating women artisans through Threads of Tradition, an initiative designed to cultivate craft-based skills and enhance livelihoods. This expansive approach showcases how even celebratory moments can intertwine with positive impact.

Expanding the Festive Canvas

In addition to the standout Lippan Art Christmas trees, The Leela properties are embracing sustainability across their festive décor, expressing the brand's commitment to conscious luxury. For example, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi has constructed an 11-foot tree from repurposed wooden flooring amidst a unique façade made of reclaimed conduit pipes.

Meanwhile, The Leela Kovalam has unveiled a magnificent 15-foot tree curated from repurposed coconut husk, celebrating coastal craftsmanship. The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has crafted "A Tree That Tells a Story", using local artisans' handcrafted ornaments and featuring a community-focused tree-lighting ceremony.

A Celebration of Heritage and Luxury

These initiatives collectively broaden the festive narrative at The Leela, weaving a delightful combination of sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural expression into the holiday celebrations. The Lippan Art Christmas Trees stand as a beautiful reminder of India's artistic spirit while also bearing the promise of mindful luxury, where heritage and impact intertwine seamlessly.

As this festive season unfolds, guests are invited to explore and appreciate art that not only adorns surroundings but uplifts communities and celebrates India’s cultural legacy. The Leela looks to create spaces where both luxury experiences and meaningful narratives flourish, making every moment truly special.