On my last Christmas visit to Jamaica a few years ago I was extremely happy to be on the island soil as always. While visiting a bank in one of the major cities, I was please to see the beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere. On closer observation, I noticed the Christmas trees. They looked very much like most that I have seen in Jamaica… pine trees covered with lights, cotton balls representing snow, and other colorful ornaments. While they were beautiful, I left wondering why Jamaicans weren’t embracing our heritage more and decorating our Christmas trees with items that remind us of our cultural background. I wondered why the tree covered with fake snow appealed so much to us rather than a tree that had replicas of star apples for example. After all, it does not snow in Jamaica.
I started immediately to create in my mind, beautiful decorations we could create with the resources we have on the island. I thought, “there could be a big market for this!” Why aren’t any of our crafts people creating these items? I was reminded that “our people” wouldn’t buy them, but I am the encourager so I am telling those who read this post to spread the word.
I started immediately to create in my mind, beautiful decorations we could create with the resources we have on the island. I thought, “there could be a big market for this!” Why aren’t any of our crafts people creating these items? I was reminded that “our people” wouldn’t buy them, but I am the encourager so I am telling those who read this post to spread the word.
So here are a few things our craftsmen and women could consider creating in different sizes, colors, and quantity using resources found on the island…burlap. flour bags, paper, bamboo, plaid cloth, flowers, leaves, fruits, vegetables, plants, branches from trees, etc. Our craftspeople can things that remind us of Jamaica. Visitors would be happy to see this “difference” when they visit the island!
Of course we ultimately do what brings us pleasure, but don’t forget that our heritage offers us some excellent choices.
Don’t think about what you don’t have, use what you have…paper, cardboard, cloth, old jewelry, leaves, fruits, vegetables, cane, bamboo, sticks, etc. and make at lease twelve of each item. Have fun creating and starting a new trend. Looking forward to seeing a Jamaican Christmas Tree.
Of course we ultimately do what brings us pleasure, but don’t forget that our heritage offers us some excellent choices.
- Dolls to resemble Ms. Lou, market men and women, folk singers and dancers, etc.
- Different shaped wooden ornaments that can be hung/strung
- Paper hats like those we use to wear on Christmas Day in Parade.
- Everything in plaid
- Cars and toys for boys
- Use fresh green as well as dry leaves, branches, shrubs, etc.
- Paint/write on stones
- Use old cups, iron, and other household items for decoration
- Decorate your home with …sugar cane, pumpkins, beets, turnips, cho-cho
- Use photographs of family members or things you like on the tree.
Don’t think about what you don’t have, use what you have…paper, cardboard, cloth, old jewelry, leaves, fruits, vegetables, cane, bamboo, sticks, etc. and make at lease twelve of each item. Have fun creating and starting a new trend. Looking forward to seeing a Jamaican Christmas Tree.
