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Christmas time in Jamaica is all about the vibrant traditions that make the season truly special. From the cool island breeze and bustling Grand Markets to the rich flavours of black fruit cake and sorrel, the festive spirit is unmistakable.
These cherished customs, passed down through generations, bring Jamaicans closer and infuse the season with a uniquely Jamaican charm. Here are ten things Jamaicans do and experience over the Christmas season that make Christmas on the island special.
Buying Furniture and Home Décor
Whether it’s needed or not, many Jamaicans insist on sprucing up their homes for the festive season with new furniture. The shopping list often includes bedding, curtains, and bath or kitchen mats – all considered essential upgrades for Christmas.
Spring Cleaning and House Painting
The Jamaican version of spring cleaning happens in December. During Christmas week, households dive into every ‘crevice and corner,’ clearing out clutter accumulated over the year. This annual deep clean often goes hand-in-hand with a fresh coat of paint for both the interior and exterior of homes.
The result? Bright and welcoming spaces that are perfectly complemented by the pepper lights strung up to add a festive glow. Garbage trucks even run more frequently in December to keep up with the seasonal purge, ensuring everything looks pristine for the holidays.
Walking the Plazas
Leading up to Christmas Eve, it’s common to find people of all ages ‘walking the plazas,’ even if they aren’t planning to spend money. In Kingston, the main shopping stretch runs from South Avenue to Half-Way-Tree, with bustling stores on both sides of Constant Spring Road. Vendors line the sidewalks with live Christmas trees, and lively haggling adds to the festive atmosphere.
Grand Market
On Christmas Eve, towns across Jamaica come alive with their own versions of Grand Market or as Jamaicans call it ‘Gran’ Market. This all-day-and-night event turns major roadways into bustling ‘bend down plazas’ where every item imaginable is on sale. It’s a magical, chaotic shopping spree, though parents beware – children will want everything in sight!
Carol Services
From early December, churches, schools, and businesses host carol services. Even those who aren’t regular churchgoers often attend, enjoying nostalgic Christmas tunes and reflecting on the true meaning of the season.
Christmas Mass
Attending Christmas Mass is an integral part of the festive season for many Jamaicans, blending spirituality with celebration. Churches across the island fill with worshippers on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, offering a chance to reflect on the true meaning of the season.
The service often features vibrant singing, heartfelt prayers, and a sense of community that embodies the joy and hope of Christmas. For many, it’s a cherished tradition that sets the tone for the day’s celebrations.
Family and Friends Reunions
December is reunion season, with families and friends gathering to feast and reconnect. Each attendee typically brings a dish to share. In rural Jamaica, it was once common for neighbours to cook and share food on Christmas Day, with some making rounds to several homes for all-day feasting.
Jonkanoo Parades
Though no longer widespread, Jonkanoo holds a special place in Jamaica’s cultural memory. This traditional folk parade featured vibrant yet often frightening characters like Pitchy-Patchy, Belly Woman, and Horse Head. These remnants of slavery-era traditions now mainly appear during Emancipation and Independence celebrations.
Christmas Work Crews
In December, gangs of casual labourers funded by parish councils tidy up communities. Armed with machetes and whackers, they trim overgrown grass and weeds while whitewashing everything from sidewalks to tree trunks and even roadside stones, giving the landscape a neat and festive look.
Christmas Bonuses and Tips
Postal workers and garbage collectors often leave envelopes for tips, which Jamaicans give as a gesture of tradition, if not appreciation. Office workers eagerly anticipate Christmas bonuses to cover extras like ham, baked goods, and gifts for loved ones.
From sprucing up homes to lively Grand Markets and nostalgic carol services, Christmas time in Jamaica is a joyous celebration of community, culture, and heritage. These traditions, passed down through generations, continue to bring families and friends together, making the festive season truly unforgettable.
Whether you’re in Jamaica or celebrating elsewhere, may the spirit of a Jamaican Christmas fill your holidays with warmth and cheer!
J.L. Campbell is an award-winning, Jamaican author who writes romantic suspense, women's fiction, new and young adult novels. She has written sixteen books, seven novellas, and two short story collections. Campbell's mission is to write stories that entertain and educate readers. She is also a certified editor, and writes non-fiction. Visit her on the web at http://www.joylcampbell.com
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