Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25th, it represents the birth of Jesus Christ. It is usually celebrated with family and friends. During this time, people prepare a range of delicacies including but not limited to pepper pot, ginger beer, bread and cake.
This publication interviewed Ms. Patsy who hails from Yeoville, however, she grew up in the village of Brahn, with her siblings and late parents.
She has six children, several grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Patsy mentioned that all the Christmas work was done on Christmas Eve.
She said, “my mom would finish baking during the wee hours of Christmas morning. Most of our work is done on Christmas eve, baking and decorating. Even our neighbour would bake and do work on Christmas Eve. It was like a tradition for us.”
Further Patsy added, “during that time, all you hear is the banging of hammers on nails as my family and our neighbours are busy decorating.”
For Patsy, Christmas is one of her favourite times of the year as it allows her to use her culinary talents. During this time, she prepares pepper pot, bakes bread and cake, and prepares various types of food.
She also said, “That time was for family. People also visited your home, and it was customary to share whatever eatables you prepared, now in this modern era, you can’t do that.”
“Now I celebrate Christmas with my family. My children would do gift exchange. They would put names in a bag, and you’d buy gift for whoever name you pulled out, that was one of the exciting parts of Christmas for me. My daughters and I will prepare lots to eat as well as my signature sorrel, mauby and ginger beer drinks. In the morning, it’s customary to attend Christmas morning church, with my family. My grandchildren and other family members will visit during the day,” added Patsy.
“Last year’s Christmas was a sad one for me and my family as I lost my eldest daughter Patricia. She loved Christmas and like me, she loved using her hands to prepare culinary items. So, she played an essential part in preparing Christmas delicacies. Although it would be emotional for us, I’m hoping this one would be different,” said an emotional Patsy.
This publication also spoke to Stacy Wade, who shared how she celebrated Christmas in her younger years and how she celebrates it now.
Stacy Wade hails from Trafalgar (#28). She is a wife, mother of two daughters, and grandmother of one.
She said “Christmas long ago was nice, unlike like now. Back then, it was merry and a time for family, love and unity. It somehow felt magical, now you don’t even feel the Christmas spirit.”
“During Christmas, Masquerades danced around the village (No. 28), as they danced many villagers used to join them and every house they went to got something whether food, cake, sweets, pastries, or ginger beer….they got something. Now you can’t do that,” Lavern added.
She started, “My late mother never outsourced a painter, as my siblings and I had a paint brush, and knew how to paint, as we painted our house, every year.”
Further she mentioned, “During Christmas the chores in the home were always shared between my siblings and I. Also, I loved the scent of fresh vinolay and paint. It made the house feel like Christmas.”
“Every Christmas we shopped a large amount of groceries, more than the other months. My late mom used to make ginger beer in a large jar. In doing so, she would wash the jar with hot water and bleach and allow it to dry, while we washed and grated the ginger. After that she took over.”
“Years ago, all the work was done on Christmas Eve Day (December 24th), I assisted my mom in baking bread & cake, making pepperpot, whilst my siblings assisted in decorating the house and changing the blinds and adding fairy lights,” she noted.
“The food was good, as my late mom prepared fried rice and her signature fried chicken amongst other delicacies,” Lavern added.
Now Stacy celebrates Christmas differently. She ensures her work is done by a certain time, rather than doing it on Christmas Eve. She celebrates with her family, by preparing culinary delights and attends church with her family.
