I remember very well, the weeks leading up to, and just before Christmas.
I can recall the preparations of going to the beach to get the sand for the yard, weeding around the house, washing down the house inside and outside,(I hated that part) scrubbing the floors with whitehead bush or with the skin of an old-wife fish. Then there was seeing Mum go to town to buy cloth to make new curtains, buying artificial flowers made from crepe or plain paper from the sellers in the bus stand and around other areas in Bridgetown, and buying Christmas cards to send to relatives and friends.
As for decorations we could only afford balloons and colourful streamers or picture cards of Father Christmas as we called him in those days – very few of us called him Santa Claus back then. As for toys, we got things like mouth organs, crickets, flutes, wind mills on a stick or very small toy cars; the girls got small dollies, doll babies as they were called at that time.
As for presents, well handkerchiefs, socks, shirts, mostly short pants and maybe shoes not forgetting the comforts, toffees and nuts. I can still hear those hawkers around the bus stand with trays on their heads shouting: “comfort, toffees and nuts, who calling, simma hay.” Oh, for the good old days!!!
– Elliot
What are your memories of how you spent the Christmas holidays in Barbados? Share them with us! Comment on our discussion forum or email our Digital Editor, Amanda Lynch-Foster at amandalynch@nationnews.com.
The Nation's Bajan Christmas 
My Christmas memories are treasured traditions, some of which my siblings and I are passing on to our children. Ours started with clearing the house of furniture and lanoleum then scrubbing the floor and scrapping or sanding the chairs for dada to paint. All the ornaments and plaques were dusted and wrapped for safe keeping. Mommy would be busy making curtains and cushions covers for neighbors(ours being the last to finish).
Not only the inside had to be made ready but the outside too. Every hand helped in weeding and hauling marl in paint buckets from the quarry, to make the front yard look white and clean. Trimmings were touched up, then windows were washed and wiped dry with Nation newspapers. My father slaughtered turkeys and chickens for sale and made the backyard spic and span once that was done. Then put the salt ham to boil over the fire.
The big finale was Christmas Eve, we would walk with my Dada to the gully to find a tree (don’t remember what kind), the pudding, pork or turkey would be in the oven and smelling good too. Everything was brought back inside and looked like new, curtains were put up and cushion covers put on, we would go to bed anxious and with anticipation of what and who Christmas would bring.
Church bright and early Christmas morning, and then the fun would start, we ate everything our hearts desired and nobody caught a fit. Neighbors dropped by to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and had drinks, ham and pudding or great cake.
These are the memories I cherish.
I am British born living in England although I am the daughter of true Bajan parents , my memories of Christmas in the U.K are very similar to those of you all born and bred in Barbados this was due to the fact that my parents who have always been proud Bajans although living in England for 40 years made sure that those good old strong Bajan values were instilled in us , This would mean that windows had to be cleaned, new curtains, house painted (inside only too cold to paint outside), a complete de-clutter and clean up was essential before any form of decorations could be considered , once all of that had been done then the Christmas tree and decorations could start to go up, Dad would always check the lights were working (that is still his favourite job up to this day)
Christmas Eve : The baking of the Ham,pudding,sweetbread would begin and that unforgettable aroma would drift through the house
Dad would then start to play Christmas carols loudly and the laughter would start even the drinks might start to flow as friends stopped by.
11:30 PM -Midnight mass (this is a must up to this day), after service it would be back home or maybe a friend that lives nearby for Sherry,Ham,pudding and maybe a slice of black cake this would go on until early morning.
Christmas morning Mum would get up early and put the turkey,Pork in the oven, again the aroma would drift through the house until we would all wake up eat Breakfast open gifts call up friends and family and await the lunchtime feast.Magical.
My parents have now retired back home and we will not be together this Christmas that just means we keep up the tradition and continue to enjoy Bajan Christmas for as long as we all shall live in Jesus name.
I am an American born of bajan grandparents,but my grandma still keeps the tradition that she grew up with in Barbados. She cooks the ham,peas and rice sorrell the black cake with the bajan rum soak into it until you feel drunk when you eat a little too much, the house beautifully decorated inside and out, many American friends of hers stopping by because they love the bajan food and of course on New Years eve the pickled pigs feet, fish cakes the best in the world ,and so much to eat. She still tells us stories about christmas in Bim. She looked forward to going to church because she sang in the choir there, going into queens park to listen to the
barbados police band and just strolling and greeting everyone she knew going home afterward to have a wonderful christmas dinner. She oftens wishes those days would come back.
An Acrostic
Say Bells Ring
Some time a few neighbors hanged lights in trees
And the next year there were more of these
Yesterday we went on a drive to see
Bonnets alit throughout its community
Every house had flashing and dancing lights
Lights that separated this community from the Heights
Look again if you can and you too might see
Such character spreading throughout the community
Regency Park and Fort George were not the same
It was hard to believe they knew that Jesus came
No sign of Christmas or any celebration
Sleigh Bells Ring only played on their television