What is your fondest Christmas memory? As children growing up, my auntie who raised us never bought toys or gave us gifts. But we used to get bickle wagga-wagga!

For the patois-deficient, that means we got food in abundance. I didn't even know the word 'toy'. We had 'playthings'. And we made them ourselves.

We did what old-time people call "tun yu han mek fashion", by creating little 18-wheeler trailers using milk boxes and 'bottle stoppers' and we used cords and elastic bands to create our own cricket balls and used coconut boughs as bats.

Instead of getting bicycles or tricycles, we made our own skates from discarded pieces of board and used bearings as wheels. When I was young, I never ever owned a store-bought toy. Can you believe it? Maybe that is why when I buy a toy nowadays for my children, or godchildren, or grand- child, I tend to play with it more than them. But Christmas was still a great time and I have some wonderful memories.

New clothes and food

When I was young, Christmas meant guaranteed new clothes and plenty, plenty food. Yeah man, I remember when the real highlight of Christmas was to put on your crisp, brand-new clothes and shoes, and walk up and down in the town.

And it was so enjoyable. Christmas eve was the time when I would finally get the chance to break open my saving pan so I would have pocket money to buy pretty-pretty hat and 'fee-fee' at grand market (for those who are too young to know what a fee-fee is, ask an old-timer!).

In those days, it was absolutely exhilarating just to hold my starlight and watch it burn, or look on as the older boys lit fire crackers - also called 'claps' and threw them in the air.

Jonkunnu bands

I also remember my heart beating like a drum as I experienced the thrilling mixture of fear, anticipation and excitement when the Jonkunnu bands made their way through the streets. Those days, Christmas was sweet!

Auntie 'box you dung'

Sometimes we would go to the beach on Boxing Day. Of course, as I grew into my teenage years, I began to think that the day after Christmas was called Boxing Day because it was the day when Auntie 'box you dung' because you went to a Christmas party and came home after daylight the next day.

A friend of mine recently shared with me his most treasured Christmas memory.

It involved going on one of his first really official dates as a teenager. He says he remembers it well because that was the day when he made sure that the title that is usually given to Mary could no longer apply to him.

He went on a romantic picnic to Hope Gardens, with his girlfriend. They found a nice quiet nook where nobody could see them and shared food, wine and tender moments. When it got dark enough, they temporarily changed the well-known Christmas phrase from peace on earth to 'piece on earth'! He claims it was the most beautiful Christmas experience of his life. I just hope the other participant feels the same way. And I think it was a very irreverent thing to do on the holy day. Or was it?

Safer future

On a serious note though, as we celebrate the season, I encourage you to do what you can to help create happy memories and a safer future for all children. And I sincerely hope you find more peace, power and prosperity for the Christmas, New Year and long, long after. Let's continue to live in love and linger in laughter!

Have a nice one! And

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