Christmas away from home

Dec 25, 2022 News

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By Zena Henry

The holiday period has always been an exciting time for many families around the world. From the events leading up to Christmas Day into the New Year, the food, the excitement; it’s almost as if you feel the instant change in atmosphere once that time comes around.

The streets automatically become busier and more festive as a result of the hustle and bustle of shoppers, as thy race to make the season better than the one before. Every year, families try to make Christmas celebrations greater and grander than the year before with delicious food, beautiful gifts, well wishes and cheer.

The holidays are said to be a time of enjoyment, love, and togetherness of family and friends.  For faiths that celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Christmas is a very special time of year, as they honour the coming of the ‘Saviour of the World’. Theories may vary across peoples about the origin of the holiday, but wherever it is celebrated, it is basically one theme regardless of culture: “a time of giving and sharing”.

What is different however is the way some jurisdictions celebrate the holiday, the food they prepare as well as the activities enjoyed. Here in Guyana, there are a number of activities we enjoy while celebrating Christmas. There are usually light-up ceremonies in various regions, shows and parties, crazy shopping frenzies and a lot of preparations for the big day. The house has got to be cleaned and decorated, there are specific foods and drinks to be prepared and all while listening to our favourite Christmas carols.

It’s quite a lot to do when one thinks in terms of preparation, and that is why in many cases, some people start to prepare for the Christmas holiday weeks, sometimes months in advance. Some would start their Christmas planning early and start to save funds needed for holiday purchases. Some would also commence major Christmas purchases early enough to avoid the rush and have more time on hand for preparations.

But what if we could skip all the preparations; all the work and decided to spend Christmas away from home. The experience of Christmas from the perspective of another culture could be an enchanting one, especially if the location is more enthusiastic about the holiday than your country. Indeed, some countries are more ecstatic about the holidays than others, and the way they usher in the season could bring a great deal of warmth and excitement.

A white Christmas is not synonymous with a Caribbean Christmas, so it is impossible to experience the making of a snowman or being able to stick one’s tongue out to catch a snowflake as it descends. The Caribbean merely welcomes some cold winds and, in some cases, increased rainfall, but will never be able to feel the icy bite of snow. Celebrating the holidays in white Christmas style may therefore prove an enchanting experience. The scenery, of course, is nothing like what is customary in warmer climates.

It’s said that there is something a little bit magical about New York City at Christmas time. From the colourful department store displays to ice skating rinks in Central Park and at the Rockefeller Centre, Finder.com a travel guide described the urban jungle as transforming into a winter wonderland come Christmas. The guide said that New York is a very walkable city and between the Christmas lights and the Central Park ice skating rink, there’s something to keep everyone in the family entertained. A relaxing stroll or ride through the spectacular Dyker Heights neighbourhood in Brooklyn is the perfect mix of Christmas and exploring New York City. For a more enlightening experience, guided tours through the neighbourhood are also available.

London is home to many Guyanese. And this location is captivating with a lot to see during Christmas time.  It could be an easy destination for many who have connections there. With food fairs, Christmas markets, lights and extraordinarily decorated streets, a London trip might be among those the kids always remember.

Many Guyanese also have families living in warm climates like the Caribbean and these locations are definitely cheaper and maybe easier to handle for those who might not be as fond of the blistering cold. Many Caribbean islands celebrate the Christmas holidays in the same way; with street jams, parties, shows, Christmas village light-ups and even parades.

Most of the prominent festivities in Barbados happen in its capital city Bridgetown. Rove.me, a local travel guide said it is a must to walk between the multiple Christmas trees that are set up to usher in the season. It said that by mid-December, the city streets host a vibrant Barbados Cancer Society Float Parade, and if one is true fan of caroling, and then there is the annual Rotary Club of Barbados Carols by Candlelight, taking place at the gardens of Ilaro Court, which is the residence of the Barbadian Prime Minister.

It is said that on Christmas Day, Barbadians from all walks of life traditionally dress up in their best outfits and gather in Queen’s Park for a morning celebration, running from 6 to 11 am. The main highlight of the event is music played by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band. On Boxing Day, those who have spare energy can head to the historic Garrison Savannah racecourse to enjoy the annual Stakes and Trophy horse races by the Barbados Turf Club.

Trinixmas blog says that Christmas preparations usually start months ahead, in as early as September, when the stores begin displaying their Christmas merchandise. In early December, Trinidad’s parang bands start to appear. These are small groups of men who go from house to house serenading the inhabitants with Spanish songs to the accompaniment of the guitar, cuatro and the maraca. Where these are not available, the band may improvise by beating a spoon against a bottle in time to the melody. In exchange for the free entertainment, the homeowner brings out a bottle of rum or some other alcoholic beverage and some delicacies. In addition to the house serenaders, there are parang competitions at various venues where men and women dress in colorful Spanish costumes and sing and dance for a prize. Christmas carolers, dressed in white outfits with red capes and carrying red paper lanterns through the darkened streets are also part of the activities. Going to church is also a big part of celebrating the season in the twin island.

Christmas is Jamaica is described as hugely festive, filled with activities and its signature reggae version of carols. The mostly rural areas are said to celebrate the traditional Jonkanoo (or John Canoe) where citizens wear colourful masquerade costumes including cow heads, devil features, doctors and brides among others. Jamaicans enjoy community fairs, with street food, dancing, crafts and music. They sell all the usual mix of useful, decorative and unusual things from firecrackers to food.

Having family abroad could present the ease needed to enjoy Christmas from a different perspective. It may not be such a bad idea therefore to save up, if you must, and make preparations to experience the magic of the holidays away from home.

 

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