It’s hard to believe that almost an entire year is about to end and it is that time again to turn our lives upside down to supposedly be merry for the most anticipated holiday of the year, Christmas.
Passersby on my street looked on in both astonishment and confusion as I scrubbed my balcony this past Tuesday and I stared back with disgust at their inquisitiveness. Perhaps they were sharing thoughts of concern with their eyes because I was scrubbing away in frigid weather conditions. To be honest, I too was concerned for my well-being, but had to stick to my inherited Christmas traditions, however silly and over the top they may seem to some.
Guyanese often refer to the Christmas cleaning and organising as ‘putting away the house’ and everyone has their own degree to which they indulge in the festivities. Some anticipate a fresh coat of paint for the house, whilst for others its more about food luxuries and refreshing their drapes. Though most of what we indulge in for the holidays is inconsistent with what actually celebrating the holiday is all about, there is a strange magnetic pull to spend during this time and sadly for some the season’s joy is equated to money being spent.
