Pathanapuram: In a season when Christmas cheer is often wrapped in price tags, a small stall in Pathanapuram is spreading joy without asking for a single rupee in return. Manikandan, also known as Nikhilesh, a Class 5 student of St Stephen’s High School, Pathanapuram, has opened a small shop of his own to distribute free Christmas stars to his friends.

The makeshift shop has been set up near his house at Edathara Udaya Junction, using tree branches as props and a tarpaulin sheet as a roof. Stars made in different sizes using glitter paper are neatly displayed and hung inside the stall. A board announcing ‘Star shop, available free here’ has also been hung in front of the shop.

The idea has drawn support from local residents, including elders and children from the neighbourhood, who have come forward to encourage the little boy’s Christmas gesture.