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I wrote this article two years ago, before the World recession and
"Crash Plus" made paupers of us all; but how much have things really
changed?
Just because there's no snow and no chimneys to hang stockings by, don't
ever make the mistake of thinking that we are any different than the
rest of the Western World when it comes to Christmas Madness. In fact, I
imagine that right about now, hundreds of the "haves" and thousands of
the "have-nots" are boarding planes destined for Miami clutching their
international credit cards. And when they're maxed out there'll be calls
to bank managers or Aunties to send more; after all we don't have to
think about the consequences 'til next year.
Most of the shops are
ready and waiting, hoping to not only wipe out the red ink that has
accumulated over the past year but to make a profit. They've marked up
container loads of cheap goods by 1000% and a handful of really good
quality things by..... well, if you have to ask the price you can't
afford it! Hence the Exodus to Miami, Panama and the other regional
shopping Meccas.
Bankers are rubbing
their hands gleefully, how many new loans can they open this Christmas?
Maybe even enough to make their Directors happy? Doctors are getting
ready for all the patients who will come in wanting a sick certificate
and having to decide who's really sick and who just wants a few days off
to party. The Christmas tree growers must now assess how many trees have
survived hurricanes and the other bad weather we've had this year
and estimate the maximum price they can get for the good ones to make
their once a year business profitable. The new owners of JPS (power
company) are expecting to cover the purchase price of their new
acquisition with December bills from all the lights and decorations
thousands of homes and businesses will install and keep burning for the
entire month.
For the Social Set, the
Season started as usual with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce's Grand
Charity Ball. Everyone sparkled in Escada and Prada dripping with bling
from Swiss Stores or Tiffany. The round of parties could now begin and,
as usual, we'll outdo last year. And will we party! Forget the
atrocious murder rate and the homeless children, after all we do have an
international reputation for partying. From the dance halls downtown to
the homes on Jacks Hill, Jamaica will be one big party.
And on the day itself we'll awake to the
sounds of happy children running up and down the streets showing off
their presents to their friends. Though for all the years I've lived,
I've yet to discover how Santa gets into houses wrapped with burglar
bars and with no chimneys! We'll go to church in brand new clothes and
then we'll settle down to Christmas Dinner of ham, chicken or turkey,
roast beef or pork, curried goat or oxtail and rice and green gungo; all
washed down with liberal amounts of sorrel spiked with a touch of whites
and topped off with Christmas pudding.
But while we max out our credit cards and
drink too much sorrel let's not forget what Christmas is really about:
Read about Jamaican Christmas
Traditions
The Gleaner
Jamaicans.com
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