Christmas to many in the world is hinged to a white-bearded old man equipped with costume to match and consumerism to enhance. For ages that seemed to be the same for the peoples of the Caribbean.
For many years it was also “a thing” to go carolling.
All that is apparently gone, or dwindling at an amazingly rapid rate although what seems less affected is our ability to spend in this festive season.
The airwaves during the Christmas Season have been traditionally filled with tunes from the likes of Jim Reeves and Dolly Parton and our very own Pele’, whose melodies still ring fresh as if produced last week. Now what we are graced with, over the last few years, is new contributions from new faces, particularly from the local environment. The song bearing the lyrics “moving from house to house,” may have come at a time when that tradition was actually taking a massive nose-dive. It must be remembered that on the days around Christmas, it was customary for groups to literally go from house to house eating and drinking and carrying good cheer but that has widely disappeared.
The food is the one area that may not have been affected too much. Our Caribbean songs bear testament to that fact. The traditional Ham and Turkey, the Black Cake infused with the “spirits” of Christmas, and the Sorrel to go with it still forms a major part of the menu.
The recent general election, December 1st, will have an effect on what this Christmas/Festive season is going to look like, for a few reasons. Chief among those reasons is the fact that many may have more money in hand in the aftermath of government pay outs in recent months, monies that may not have formed part of the original budgets. Likewise, this past election saw an amazing amount of money spent during the various campaigns, almost certainly the most in recent history (although we do not have the figures). That, no doubt will result in increased available dollars to “enjoy” the festivities.
In comes the Vat-Free Day.
A campaign promise made by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, the Vat-Free Day will prove to be huge on the scale of items affecting year-end celebrations this year. While alcohol is not an exempted item, groceries and consumer items are, the effects of which will make for good analysis in January.
Many believe that the true spirit of Christmas is long gone and when currently exist is an uncontrollable urge to splurge at this time every year. Some may suggest that it is just a changing of the guard, a new generation celebrating differently.
Whatever the reason for the changes, one thing still holds constant, the fact that Christmas is still widely centred around family. Students come back home for the season, families from far and wide come together at least for a meal. Maybe that should be the focus of Christmas. Then again, maybe it is.
At any rate, a bon noel.