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As a child growing up in the Caribbean Christmas was
one of my favourite time of the year. I am sure many others share my
sentiment. As I sit here I am reminiscing
about my childhood remembering the many good things I like about Christmas.
1.The smell of Christmas cake baking
The smell of cakes
baking all over the neighborhood. Most Caribbean cakes are baked the night or
two days before Christmas day.
2. Beautifying
the house
Every Christmas
everything must be changed within the house. New curtains, bed sheets and
bathroom rugs must be out. Some people choose to repaint their houses, while others maybe to a few rooms.
3. Putting up Christmas lights
Not many people could
afford to buy a Christmas tree, therefore we had to improvise. We would
decorate the trees in the front yard.. Also the lights would be all over the
windows and verandah.
4. White washing the stones in the yard
Two days before
Christmas everyone will be outside in the garden painting the stones white for
decoration purposes.
5. Going to grand market on Christmas eve
All year we would save
for this night. We would leave for the
town in the evening to go and buy items on bargains. Stores are open all
night, therefore will be will shopping
and coming home wee hours in the mornings with our purchase. Most times these
are Christmas gift we purchased for ourselves.
6. Getting a barrel from overseas
This meant getting new
Christmas Clothes, but my favourite part about getting the barrel was the smell
of the soaps, which I think were Irish springs, but back then they smelled so good.
7. The chill of Christmas in the air
In the Christmas season
the weather was different , you could literally smell the freshness in the
year. The mornings were cool and the wind blew gently against your skin.
8. Popping
firecrackers
To get that adrenaline
rush, and overcome the fear of lighting a fire cracker famously called
clappers; lighting an entire pack would send every one scampering for cover and
laughing.
9. Seeing families and friends coming from abroad
This was most of us
favourite time, mostly because what they were bringing, clothes, toys, candies
and many other stuff.
10. Holiday parties
Knowing the colour that
was wearing for the season was a must know. I can recall a purple Christmas
everyone was darned in purple and different parties. Parties during Christmas
were like a reunion for school mates, good link, and good vibes.
11. Exchanging of gifts
Do you remember class
parties, everyone selected a name and on that day your pixie would reveal who
they are and present a gift, among staff members it was the same.
12. Christmas breakfast and dinner
The smell of Chocolate
tea and fry dumpling rocks the air as the cooks in the kitchen is busy
preparing the Christmas dinner.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..
Here are 12 reasons sending Christmas in the Caribbean is
the best.
1.The smell of Christmas cake baking
The smell of cakes
baking all over the neighborhood. Most Caribbean cakes are baked the night or
two days before Christmas day.
2. Beautifying
the house
Every Christmas
everything must be changed within the house. New curtains, bed sheets and
bathroom rugs must be out. Some people choose to repaint their houses, while others maybe to a few rooms.
3. Putting up Christmas lights
Not many people could
afford to buy a Christmas tree, therefore we had to improvise. We would
decorate the trees in the front yard.. Also the lights would be all over the
windows and verandah.
4. White washing the stones in the yard
Two days before
Christmas everyone will be outside in the garden painting the stones white for
decoration purposes.
5. Going to grand market on Christmas eve
All year we would save
for this night. We would leave for the
town in the evening to go and buy items on bargains. Stores are open all
night, therefore will be will shopping
and coming home wee hours in the mornings with our purchase. Most times these
are Christmas gift we purchased for ourselves.
6. Getting a barrel from overseas
This meant getting new
Christmas Clothes, but my favourite part about getting the barrel was the smell
of the soaps, which I think were Irish springs, but back then they smelled so good.
7. The chill of Christmas in the air
In the Christmas season
the weather was different , you could literally smell the freshness in the
year. The mornings were cool and the wind blew gently against your skin.
8. Popping
firecrackers
To get that adrenaline
rush, and overcome the fear of lighting a fire cracker famously called
clappers; lighting an entire pack would send every one scampering for cover and
laughing.
This was like a
Christmas pastime. Every Christmas morning we would wake to the popping
sounds of firecrackers. The sound could be heard randomly throughout the day.
9. Seeing families and friends coming from abroad
This was most of us
favourite time, mostly because what they were bringing, clothes, toys, candies
and many other stuff.
10. Holiday parties
Knowing the colour that
was wearing for the season was a must know. I can recall a purple Christmas
everyone was darned in purple and different parties. Parties during Christmas
were like a reunion for school mates, good link, and good vibes.
11. Exchanging of gifts
Do you remember class
parties, everyone selected a name and on that day your pixie would reveal who
they are and present a gift, among staff members it was the same.
12. Christmas breakfast and dinner
The smell of Chocolate
tea and fry dumpling rocks the air as the cooks in the kitchen is busy
preparing the Christmas dinner.
Curried goat, gungo
rice and peas, sorrel, Christmas fruit cake, Jerk pork, Chicken –baked, fried .
A slice of ham defines the dinner. Household heads would reserve a portion of
funds to purchase the best ham. Turkey was optional. Someone had to take out those
special dinner- ware to create an
ambiance . Then one by one everyone is ready to eat and laughter and joy fills
the air. The food is always good .
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..
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