The hill town, which witnesses comparatively warm days even as the plains reel under intense cold wave and fog, has started preparing for the New Year eve celebrations. But before this, its Christmas the town is gearing to celebrate. Over-century old two historic churches, including the Christ Church on the Ridge, are being decorated and the hotels are abuzz with activities.

Inquiries from the Shimla-based HPTDC marketing office revealed that tourists have already started making a beeline and 90 per cent hotel occupancy has been reported.

The leading private hotels, which get bookings through outside agencies also are quite optimistic about the tourist arrival. For the past one week, honey-mooners have turned up in good strength and a few are waiting for the season's first snowfall.

``We are praying for a white Christmas and if we get to see the snow, we will not leave Shimla,''say Gurav and Priya, a newly-wed couple from Noida.

For past years, a white Christmas has been eluding the hill town. If it was a prolonged dry spell in 1996, things were not too good in 1997 as the town had its first snowfall only on December 29.