Christmas is the season of spreading good cheer, of spending time with family and of sharing, caring and giving. In the spirit of the season, family reunions commonly take place during Christmas and into the New Year. An important part of a Christmas family gathering is the meal. As families and friends gather, warm, eggnog is a popular feature of...

As you prepare for your dinner on Christmas Day, here are some food safety tips.   When purchasing groceries, check the expiry dates carefully. Inspect meat and fish thoroughly before purchasing. Clear eyes indicate that fish is fresh. If the flesh of a fillet fish is crumbling, do not buy it. Examine products using the natural lighting in the store...

A large part of the Jamaican Christmas is the wide variety of sumptuous foods that is usually available. However, due to dietary restrictions some persons are unable to partake of the delightful feasts. Limiting portions and eating healthy substitutes are creative ways to ensure that persons can enjoy the food without negative consequences. Here is a vegetarian recipe that those...

Jamaicans use both modern and traditional cooking methods and/or utensils to prepare the Christmas dinner.   A few are described here. Coal Stove: This is a popular cooking equipment that has withstood time. It is a small charcoal/wood fuelled cooker with a basin-like top covered by a flat metal grille. Any meal can be cooked on a Coal Stove but it...

For many Jamaicans, gungo peas are an essential part of the Christmas Day menu. Gungo peas are the desired peas for the traditional rice and peas or as a part of the Gungo Peas Soup, the latter is a favourite appetizer before the main Christmas dinner.  More often than not, it is eaten as a meal by itself. Here is...

During the Christmas season in Jamaica, various groups participate in the giving of gifts and organising of treats for the more vulnerable groups in communities and state-run institutions. Corporate, church and civic groups traditionally visit schools, children’s and nursing homes, and medical institutions bearing gifts and tasty treats.  Some also provide entertainment, many times in the form of concerts. The...

Over the festive season, the commercial department of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is offering a special service to private persons to dispose of garbage generated as a result of the festivities. For a fee, the client has the option of accessing the service either to collect or dispose, or a combination of both. This service is offered...

For many children, buying balloons was an annual undertaking at Christmas time at small community shops. Shop keepers would mount a packet of over a hundred balloons of varying sizes and, for a small price, a child could scratch a card for the chance to get a balloon. There was one balloon in the packet that was much bigger than...

In Jamaica, seasonal flowers, such as the bright red poinsettia, are used as Christmas decorations. The flower is associated with good cheer, success, and celebration, making it an appropriate staple for the Christmas season. The popular flower, along with other winter blooms are made into wreaths, which are generally used as decorations in the form of wall hangings or centerpieces....