Christmas is magical, but the people who create that magic behind the scenes rarely get the spotlight they deserve. Today’s guest is someone I admire deeply, not just for her creativity, but for her work ethic, her clarity, and the way she has carved her own powerful space in an incredibly competitive industry.

Shero is a force to reckon with. She has redefined how we experience spaces, how we feel Christmas, and how storytelling can live through design. What she does isn’t easy; it takes vision, courage, and an unbelievable amount of hard work. And she does it with grace.

I’m proud to call her a friend, and even prouder to celebrate her journey. On Buzz with Danu today, Shero opens up about her busiest Christmas season yet, the pressure, the pride, and the incredible work delivered during one of the most exciting times of the year.

1. This Christmas felt bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever. When you look back, how would you personally describe Christmas 2025 for you and your team?

Christmas 2025 was a defining season for us. In Sri Lanka, Christmas decisions often come together very close to December, so excellence isn’t really about long lead times—it’s about precision, experience, and the ability to execute flawlessly under pressure.

For my team, this season truly reinforced who we are. We’re built to move fast, adapt quickly, and still deliver immersive, international standard experiences within very tight timelines. What people experienced in December was the result of clarity, confidence, and years of understanding what Christmas means not just to brands, but to families as well. It wasn’t simply bigger; it felt more assured.

2. One of the biggest talking points this season was the tallest indoor Christmas installation in Asia. What sparked the idea, and did you ever pause and think, “Are we really doing this?”

The idea came from a very simple place: pushing boundaries. I’ve never been interested in repeating what’s already been done. Once the concept formed, there were moments of doubt, not fear, but awareness. We fully understood how massive the technical, logistical, and safety implications were.

There were definitely moments where I thought, This is insane. But I’ve learned over time that growth usually sits just beyond that discomfort. Once we were committed, there was no turning back, only precision, planning, and belief.

3. People often see the final magic, but not the months behind it. How early do you start planning for Christmas, and when does the first Christmas conversation actually happen?

Some initial conversations do happen earlier in the year, but the reality is that many confirmations come very close to the season. That means planning and execution often end up happening simultaneously.

What really makes the difference is preparation, not just for a single project, but for the entire season. We’ve built systems, supplier relationships, and internal processes that allow us to step into Christmas mode instantly when decisions are made.

4. Many of your concepts feel truly international. How do you source these large-scale décor elements and ideas, and what does it take to bring them into Sri Lanka?

Our approach to Christmas is global in inspiration but local in execution. Ideas come from architecture, fashion, international design movements, and large-scale public installations. Some elements are custom-fabricated locally, while others are sourced internationally and then adapted to suit our environment.

Bringing these concepts into Sri Lanka requires deep technical knowledge, strong logistics partners, and the ability to adapt designs without losing their essence, something that really only comes with experience.

5. Logistics, customs, weather, timelines, how challenging is it to align everything so seamlessly, especially at this scale?

It’s one of the most challenging parts of what we do. At this scale, nothing operates in isolation; one delay can impact everything else. Weather can shift plans overnight, shipments can get held up, and timelines are always incredibly tight.

We plan with contingencies in mind and make decisions early, so when challenges arise, as they always do, the experience remains seamless to the public. That invisible work is what holds every Christmas installation together.

6. Was there a moment this season where you felt overwhelmed, and if so, what kept you going?

There are always moments when the pressure peaks, especially when multiple projects are running at the same time. What keeps me grounded is responsibility—to my team, to our partners, and to the people who trust us to create these spaces.

At this point, Christmas isn’t just a project anymore. It’s a commitment. And once you understand that, you keep going.

7. Your work balances spectacle with emotion. How important is storytelling to you when designing Christmas spaces?

Storytelling is central to everything we do. Without it, scale really means very little. Christmas is about memory, warmth, and familiarity, and every space needs to evoke that.

Whether someone spends five minutes or an hour in one of our installations, they should feel something. That emotional connection is what makes Christmas truly memorable.

8. How do you ensure each project still feels fresh and unique, especially when everyone is competing to ‘outdo’ Christmas every year?

We don’t design in reaction to competition. Each project is treated as its own narrative, shaped by the space, the audience, and the intent behind it.

Freshness comes from restraint and clarity, not excess. When you truly understand Christmas, you don’t need to repeat yourself; the work evolves naturally.

9. What role does your team play in pulling off something this massive, and how do you lead them during high-pressure seasons like December?

The team is everything. From designers and fabricators to logistics and on-site crews, every single role is critical. My leadership style during December is very focused, clear direction, quick decisions, and staying calm under pressure.

When the team feels supported and protected from unnecessary noise, they’re able to perform at their very best, even in the most demanding situations.

10. Do you feel the pressure of expectations, especially now that Events by Shero has set such a high benchmark for Christmas in Sri Lanka?

Expectations come with the territory, and I see them more as a responsibility than a burden. When people expect a certain standard from you, it means trust has already been established.

My focus isn’t on exceeding expectations for the sake of it, but on delivering Christmas in a way that feels consistent, intentional, and meaningful every single year.

11. Looking back, which installation or moment this Christmas made you stop, breathe, and feel proud?

There was a moment late at night, once everything was complete and the space was quiet, when I stepped back and saw the installation exactly as it was intended. No crowds, no noise, just the space.

That moment was enough. It confirmed that we had delivered what we set out to do.

12. And finally, after dominating Christmas this year, what excites you next? Are we allowed to ask if next Christmas can get even bigger?

What excites me is evolution. Christmas doesn’t need to be louder every year; it needs to be smarter, more immersive, and more emotionally connected.

As for next Christmas, the focus will always be on raising the standard, not chasing scale. But creativity has a way of surprising even us.