This week we asked the man/woman in the street what would be the perfect Christmas present? Have you finished your shopping for Christmas presents?
Leela Singh, public sector employee:
‘I haven’t gotten my family anything special. I mean yes I’ve gotten the children toys because they expect that. Toys are part of the Christmas fun for children. I’ve already done my Christmas shopping and I’m just going to spend a quiet day with my family and of course I’m going to cook them something special. Christmas is all about spending time with your family and not about what you buy them. The one thing I want for a Christmas present this year is my family’s happiness.’
Luana Young, private sector employee:
‘Yes I’ve already done my Christmas shopping because I’ve known for a while what to get my family members. All year long they talk about things they’ve seen that they liked so I jot those likes down in my memory so that way I can actually buy them something they’ll like for Christmas. I buy gifts that my family can use and remember me by. This year if I could have one thing for Christmas then I’d like to have my boyfriend who is in St. Martin. That would be the perfect present for me.’
Tashana Johnson, public sector employee:
‘I shopped for Christmas presents since November because I can’t handle the speed of last minute shopping during the season. Another reason too is that I save a bundle when I buy then before Christmas because what you find is that store prices usually go up around this time. Businesses know people will have to get things for Christmas regardless of the price and so they add extra. This Christmas I’m looking for love. The perfect Christmas present for me would be a ring from my other half.’
Joana Dazzell, public sector employee:
‘It’s easier to get presents around Christmas time because stores stay open longer and are usually very accessible this time of year. I’ve already shopped for presents and I always strive to give people long lasting things so that it’ll be there to remind them of me. In the future they can look at that thing and remember that I have given them something. The thing I want more than anything this Christmas is for the rain to stop falling. When it falls I get flooded and sometimes I can’t get to work. Because of the sort of work I do I get charged for being absent and I can’t have $5,000 being taken out of my salary every time I have to stay home because of the flood.’
Korwin Gritten, public sector employee:
‘The one thing I’d like this Christmas is to have my mother back. She passed away two years ago. For those people out there like myself all I can say is to remember all the good things. Remember the happiness you shared with your mother once upon a time on Christmas. Those of you who still have you mother with you all I can tell you is to hold on tight to her because a time will come when she won’t be there anymore and you’ll need her more than anything. I haven’t shopped for Christmas presents as yet. I prefer the last minute rush because it’s fun. Besides when you do last minute shopping no one sees what you’re getting them for Christmas so you get to give them a big surprise.’
Sanskay Wilkie, private sector employee:
‘I look for things I’ve heard my family say they like. But if I really can’t think up something I get them jewellery. It’s the easiest thing to locate and everybody like jewellery. I’ve started shopping for Christmas presents already but I’m far from being finished. I just want to have a happy holiday, that’s the best present I can think of. Once you have life then everything is fine because life if the greatest gift we can have.’
Rickford Bourne, public sector employee:
‘I don’t fuss much about Christmas. For me every day is Christmas so I don’t do the whole rushing to get people gifts scenario. Once you have life and you live right then every day is a day to get a present. Every day can be Christmas.’
Richard Borne, self-employed:
‘I don’t study Christmas to tell you the truth and I don’t buy gifts for my family. That is too much confusion because you might get somebody something they don’t like. I take the safe way out I give them some money and let them buy what they want to have for Christmas. End of that story. There isn’t anything I can think of that I want for Christmas except that I want my family to have all the happiness they can.’
Leslie Short, public sector employee:
‘I don’t believe in Christmas because I think it is a vain practice. I don’t even think that children should be taught about this tradition we call Christmas. There isn’t part of any religious scripture which tells about Christmas or how to celebrate it so I don’t buy gifts and so on. However, I am a great believer in celebrating the new season. I would celebrate the New Year. The only thing I want during this season is to be a righteous person so that I can make the world a better place.’
Christopher Vasconcellos, technician:
‘I won’t start shopping for Christmas presents until Monday because I just haven’t had the time plus the rain has been messing up my plans a lot. Christmas is a tradition and a season when we show how much we love and care for our family. Getting gifts for each other is just a way of expressing that love. The only gift I need this Christmas is health and strength. I mean I can always get material things but without health and strength I wouldn’t be able to enjoy material things.’
