Damascus, Syria - There is something different about Christmas this year, says Damascenes.

Although the decorations may have been more elaborate last year, Carol al-Sahhaf says this year's festive mood is a cut above, less than two weeks after Bashar al-Assad fled and his regime crumbled.

On either side of the Biblical Street called Straight – or al-Mustaqeem or just Straight Street for short – lights and Christmas trees decorate the cafes, restaurants, shops and houses of Bab Sharqi, the neighborhood sheltering up to the Eastern Gate of the ancient Old Town. City.

The alleys around Straight Street are bustling, with a spring-like feel in the air as shopkeepers repaint, dust their shelves and hang the green, white and black Free Syria flag.

Lights, cookies and optimism

Al-Assad fled on December 8, and the country erupted in jubilation that lasted for days as Syrians celebrated the fall of the al-Assad family and the end of more than 50 years of brutal rule.

As those celebrations died down, Olga al-Muuti told Al Jazeera, everyone turned to preparing for Christmas, New Year and Orthodox Christmas.

“I expect the festivities to return to full life in the coming days,” the 29-year-old said as she assembled cookie decorating kits in the back room of her eponymous bakery.

"After 14 years of war, I hope that the coming year will bring us peace, love and the chance to live with dignity."

From Olga's shop, a four-minute walk down Reguitstraat leads to the exuberant lights of Bab Toumastraat, named after another ancient gate that sat in the Old City's walls.

Akop Safarian (72) admired the lights as he strolled with two friends in his neighborhood, bundled up against the cold night air and full of joy.

He and his neighbors all decorated their houses and the street they lived on, he said, like every year, but this year he did it with a special prayer in mind.

"I hope peace reigns in Syria and the world in the coming year," Safarian said with a big smile.

'We as Syrians'

"We are a little worried about the upcoming phase," al-Shahhaf said as she browsed a small craft stall in a cafe in the Old City's Qishleh.

However, she added, she is extremely happy about all the changes in Syria.

"I am sure that we, as Syrians of all backgrounds, can prove to the world that we are a people who love peace," said the 28-year-old from Jaramana.

"The horrific scenes we saw in Assad's prisons ... we really need to be in mourning, in solidarity with the families of detainees killed in prisons and with the families of those whose fates remain unknown," Carol said .

Rawad Diop, originally from Safita near Tartous, is simply happy.

"Along with Christmas celebrations, I see smiles on people's faces that I have not seen before." said the 42-year-old.

"Personally, I am very happy and feel an inner optimism for the future."