Today is exactly 45 days to Christmas and for the first time in years there is nothing happening to tell us that it’s that time of year. The only one signaling is Mother Nature. Yes, Christmas breeze has started to blow. I had to turn on the hot water heater this morning for the first time in months. However, the activities which usually start before the home preparations such as planning of office parties and other social events are non-existent. Not even Christmas carols are being played on the radio stations as yet. This recession thing has surely hit us.

For people like me who really get excited about Christmas, we can’t afford to let a little thing like recession spoil it for us. So, it means we will have to find a way ‘to have we cake and eat it’. We will need to prioritize the essentials of Christmas and get them at the most economical way possible or as my granny would say ‘tun wi han mek fashin’.

So what are the must haves; the house needs a make over, we need to have sorrel drink through out the season, Christmas cake or pudding for Christmas week, decorations, Christmas ham for Christmas dinner, presents for the children in our lives and cards for loved ones abroad.

First things first, we need to visit that closet, yes, that neatly stacked closet that we have no idea what’s in. I bet we’ll find curtains, bed linen, bath room mats and shower curtains to change around that will give the house a different look for Christmas. If you’re handy with a sewing machine I’m sure you can even find ways to enhance some of what you already have to give it a brand new look. Cards are easy; there are ‘nuff’ free greetings card sites on the computer. True Juice sorrel get a blow this year, we’ll have to make our own. Shop around now and get a nice piece of pork at a good price. Then take it to somewhere that cures it, such as Daken Farm Ltd, downtown Kingston. It works out much cheaper. The Christmas pudding we’ll have to learn to bake, no more ordering out. The presents for the children might be tricky, but I’m sure if we start scouting around from now we will be able to find a bargain or two.

The important thing is to plan. Get those lists going early and start the bargain hunting. For instance raisins for the Christmas cake or pudding can be had for over $200.00 a pound uptown (or maybe more) but if you go to Tower Street downtown raisins is for $120.00 a pound. Or you could pool with your friends or co-workers to purchase in bulk.
I’m sure when we put our thinking caps on we will find that there are ‘nuff’ little ways that we can save. Just don’t wait till the last minute and then end up panicking.

“I gone mek my list, cause I’m a Christmas te tes and I plan to enjoy every moment of the season”. Christmas breeze, Christmas breeze a blow.Christmas breeze, Christmas breeze a blow.………..

Nuff Love