What is Christmas like in your Island?

[ramesh]

We have an entire thread about Christmas in Jamaica. I want to know what Christmas is like elsewhere in the Caribbean. No hijacking this thread by Jamaicans, I mean it!

[Chicokid]

We have an entire thread about Christmas in Jamaica. I want to know what Christmas is like elsewhere in the Caribbean. No hijacking this thread by Jamaicans, I mean it!

Hmm...I'm guessing you saw my Caribyard being "Jam-Yard" post ;)

Anyways Christmas here is starting to pick up slowly but surely. Businesses and houses start to decorate with their lights and christmas trees. Plus stores already announcing christmas discounts :D

[Bahama Mama]

Hmm...I'm guessing you saw my Caribyard being "Jam-Yard" post ;)


:rotflm: LOL. I saw it :eusa_clap.

[Juliet]

Hmm...I'm guessing you saw my Caribyard being "Jam-Yard" post ;)

Anyways Christmas here is starting to pick up slowly but surely. Businesses and houses start to decorate with their lights and christmas trees. Plus stores already announcing christmas discounts :D


where, where- I want to see it!!!!

[ramesh]

Hmm...I'm guessing you saw my Caribyard being "Jam-Yard" post ;)

Anyways Christmas here is starting to pick up slowly but surely. Businesses and houses start to decorate with their lights and christmas trees. Plus stores already announcing christmas discounts :D

Forget those rude Jamaicans, their so uncouth at times. I want to know more - how do you celebrate it, do you have any special treats and customs, etc.

Bahamamama and Juliet, I need input from you too. And anyone else (other that Jamaicans).

[Juliet]

Christmas in Trinidad I think is the best time of the year. I love Christmas in Trinidad so much. There is lovely parang music. My favourite parandero is Daisy Voisin (R.I.P) Most everybody's house is decorated in lights and decorations. And the food, Oh the Food!!! There are different types of pastelles, sorrel, punch-de-creme, fruitcake, ham, turkey, wild meat, spansih rice, sponge cake, etc... Paranderos in some communities go from house to house seranading- and they are well fed in return.
Our family tradition is that every year we gather as a family (auntie, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers etc) and we each bring a dish. Coming togther like this is the best part for me.

[Bahama Mama]

Thank you Ramesh for your regional perspective on the upcoming season. We in de udder islands dem does celebrate too ya know.

A Bahamian Christmas goes something like this:

1.Large family gatherings (erry body from great grammy Beula to ya 10th cousin on ya mudder side and all his chirren dem get together for this most joyous season). People also go from house to house visiting relatives knowing they will fix dem a plate.

2. Food, Food, Food. Ham and Turkey left perculating in seasoning overnight in the kitchen zink is the main dish. For real food lovers, they may thow in some fish (snapper, grouper, Jack, Goggle eye, Wahoo, Mutton fish), pork, or chicken. Nuttin wrong wit more meat :icon_mrgr ! Along with the meat there is the quintessential Bahamian peas n' rice (Not rice and peas :eusa_hand das two different tings) seasoned with all kinna spices like time (thyme), with added chunks of salt pork:hungry: Sides dishes can include: Macaroni (Some of you guys probably say Macaroni Pie), seasoned coleslaw (not that crap in KFC), seasoned potato salad (Not that crap in KFC), and fry plantain:hungry: For desert we like to eat Fruit cake with the desired amount of rum and Rum Cake (Bacardi Rum cakes are popular). There are also traditonal Bahamian sweets like Benny Cake (made with sesame seeds) and peanut cake (I am not too sure how they make that one).

3. Alcohol (For the drinking crowd). Rum, Rum, Rum, (Bacardi Rum is popular). We also have our own Nassau Royale Coconut Rum. All kinna beer (Kalik beer-Beer of the Bahamas), including the imports.

4. Church. We are a very churchy society. Some people go to church every day of Christmas week, with numbers rapidly increasing as Watch night approaches.

5. Shopping and lots of it. The malls are filled to capacity with people looking for that perfect gift. Throw into the mix, people who dont have any money and just window shopping, fellas tryin to pick up women, and jonsers waiting ta rob. So of course police presence picks up as well!

6.JUNKANOO. The premier cultural event of the Bahamas, and essentially defines a Bahamian Christmas. (I know Junkanoo is also celebrated in Jamaica, but to a lesser extent). Held on Boxing Day and again on New Years Day, the parade begins at 1am in the morning on Boxing Day and goes until sunrise. Multiple groups assemble downtown Bay Street in Nassau and 'rush' (parades) to the sounds of cowbells, goatskin drums, and brass instruments. There are also dance troupes in the group (made up mostly of women), who girate their bodies to the sound of the music. The sound is quite infectious!

Sights and Sounds of Junkanoo (http://www.junkanoo.com/home.html)
And no its not Carnival :eusa_hand !

Also the weather is kewl and breezy!

[acidblade]

well christmas in jamaica is like...........................................:D

[bernie]

:icon_mrgr :icon_mrgr :eusa_shhh :eusa_shif
-----------------------------------

[Bahama Mama]

well christmas in jamaica is like...........................................:D


Stay right dere Acid, for Ramesh run ya! :D

[ramesh]

I knew the children would come and hijack this thread. Why did I think they had any maturity? My three year old neice behaves better than them.

[acidblade]

I knew the children would come and hijack this thread. Why did I think they had any maturity? My three year old neice behaves better than them.
:icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol: so them gwaan ya gramps

[bernie]

:icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol: so them gwaan ya gramps
:dwl: :dwl:
y'all must learn to behave...giving "Dr. Who" a fit like that:rotflm:

[Twinkie]

:dwl: :dwl:
y'all must learn to behave...giving "Dr. Who" a fit like that:rotflm:
:dwl: :dwl: Why unoo don't stop it with unoo bengay arguments? :dwl:

[Bahama Mama]

Hey Gwadinka, enlighten us on a Guadelopean Christmas!