Ricardo Stuart- UG Dentistry Student: `I have finals in January to prepare for so I’ll be spending the majority of my time studying. Apart from that, I’ll be enjoying the festivities with my family. On Christmas day, I plan to stay home and spend it quietly as I usually do. My folks at home have already begun cleaning but they are still to do the decorating. We would usually do that about 2 days before Christmas but things are coming around with a little shopping.’
Dornell Suffrien– UG Student: `I am looking forward to spending time with my family because for me, Christmas is basically a time for sharing and who better to do that with than your family. I will also spend time in Church to celebrate the auspicious occasion. My family already started shopping and has even finished decorating. The tree, lights and everything are already up. However, I still have to fit a little studying in there because I have finals next month.’
Alicia Bess– Private Sector: `I’ve started all my preparations since November 1 because I’m a Christmas person. I’m looking forward to hanging out with my family and friends in embracing the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Jesus Christ so I’ll be involved in some church activities to embrace that. I want to start decorating soon and so I’ve started shopping. I realized that shopping is better, however, a lot of items people look forward to have not yet hit the markets.’
Corwyn Byrne– UG Student: `My family is not a very traditional one so I’m not too excited about Christmas. They really haven’t started doing anything much in terms of preparations. I’m the spontaneous type and so I would just be going with the flow. Only thing I’m looking forward really to are the drinks, food and parties.’
Kayode Lambert- Private Sector: First of all, Jesus is the reason for the season despite whatever political outcome of the elections. I have not started cleaning but I know that I have to do it. As for shopping, things keep going up and the inflation rate continues to rise. Christmas day is basically when you sit and reflect on the past year and try to correct any mistakes you may have made. You thank God for life, health and strength.’
Nicola Brewster– Certified Electrician: `I haven’t started planning anything as yet but I am already looking forward to a very blessed Christmas. I still have some shopping to do but I happen to enjoy the last minute excitement of shopping. You always benefit from many bargains around that time so it actually works out fine. I will be spending Christmas Day at home with my family.’
Abigail Nurse – Public Servant: `I started shopping and my Christmas plans are coming along fine. However, people’s budgets, with election, are being put on a strain because everything is rising. It’s hard but manageable. My apartment is already clean but I won’t be doing much decorating because I’ll be spending most of my time with my family. Christmas for me is about observing the birth of Jesus Christ and that’s just what I would be doing.’
Tara Persaud– Private Sector: `Christmas is about spending time with the family. I don’t think I may have time for shopping and cleaning but I plan to hire someone to do my decorating which would probably be done during the third week of December. As a child, me and my sisters were always taught that Christmas is a time for family and even now as we are adults we still embrace this culture. We have a tradition to celebrate with a Christmas lunch. It’s during this time that we unwrap presents and just basically enjoy each other’s company.’
Demis Johnn– Suriname Citizen: `I’m here in Guyana on vacation but I heard of the Main Big Lime on Boxing Day and although I have to leave before then, I look forward to returning for this event in particular. It will be my first Christmas spent in this country and I am looking forward to have the full Guyanese Christmas experience. I heard it’s a blast.’
