There are several things that are synonymous with the Christmas season in Jamaica. Sipping sorrel, savouring delicious homemade fruitcake, and revelling at Grand Market on Christmas Eve are all activities Jamaicans can look forward to as the holiday season begins to unfold. But while some traditions are alive and kicking, others have faded over time.

Observer Online takes a nostalgic look at 10 Christmas traditions that we’d love to see make a come back, bringing with it the joy and warmth of Jamaica’s festive heritage.

Kite flying: Once upon a time, kite flying was an essential part of holiday festivities. You’d know it was Christmas just by looking up into the sky and seeing it decorated with kites soaring in the “Christmas breeze”. Whether professionally made, homemade or a quick fix ‘Boxy’ from the leaves of a notebook, kite flying used to be a popular tradition that brought friends, families and communities together. Imagine the sight of children running freely on an open playing field, their kites filling the sky with colour and excitement. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Full on decorations: Bring back the days of friendly rivalries with your neighbours, the entire community competing to outdo each other with elaborate Christmas decorations when electricity bills weren’t so high and people could afford to adorn their homes with pepper lights and go all out with turning their homes into the North Pole or Santa’s workshop for the holiday season. This tradition, which left no corner untouched, gave every home an unmistakable holiday charm and lit up communities across Jamaica.  The sightseeing that came with it was eagerly anticipated – piling into a vehicle with your loved ones and driving around communities to see the intricate displays and deciding who had the best decorations for the year was a beloved custom children would look forward to.

Many will pass by to see the Christmas lights of Bay Farm Road, St Andrew. (Garfield Robinson)

Junkanoo: Jamaica’s Junkanoo parade is a unique and cultural Christmas tradition that celebrates the island’s rich heritage. With its colourful costumes, infectious drumming and lively dances, Junkanoo was once the highlight of Christmas celebrations, the parade present at most, if not all, holiday events. The Junkanoo parade has unfortunately grown less popular over the years but with the importance of cultural preservation in mind, we’d love to see it come back, no matter how scary they can be.

(Photo: JIS)

Home-made sorrel – No Jamaican Christmas is complete without the sometimes ‘extra spirited’ homemade batch of sorrel. However, in today’s fast-paced environment, with time at a premium, it seems like Jamaicans are increasingly settling for the ready-made drink from supermarkets which doesn’t hit as hard!

Nevella Skeffrey (left) and Shaun Skeffrey purchase sorrel on Orange Street in downtown Kingston, Tuesday to make their favourite Christmas drink. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Year-long prep time: Life moves too fast nowadays. Christmas preparations used to be a year-long affair. Families would begin soaking ingredients for fruitcake and sorrel early in the year, carefully planning and preparing for the big day. The anticipation of the holiday would build over the months, making the holiday feel much more special and meaningful when it finally arrived. Now, the season seems so much more rushed, preparations for some even becoming a last minute activity. Reviving this tradition could help us reconnect with the season, focusing on the journey and not just the day.

Painting houses/white washing: An old time tradition during the Christmas season was the annual ritual of painting and whitewashing homes and streets. Families would give their homes a fresh coat of paint, giving them a bright, clean appearance in time for the holidays while road markings and pedestrian crossings would be refreshed. This tradition wasn’t just about improving the visual look of your house but instead signified renewal and fresh beginnings.

Christmas concert at a community centre or Church: For many Jamaicans, the holiday season wasn’t complete without attending a Christmas concert at school, a community centre or Church. These concerts would feature performances from choirs, dances, skits, and storytelling of the birth of Jesus. Christmas concerts were more than just entertainment, it was a way to honour the birth of Jesus which is the true purpose of the holiday. While these concerts are still a part of our culture, it is not as prominent as it used to be.

Members of the Ashe performing arts company deliver harmonious carols at the Christmas in the Park concert.

Carolling: Yes, believe it or not, Jamaica once had a culture of Christmas carolling. Groups of adults would gather together to sing Christmas carols door-to-door, spreading joy and goodwill. The songs were often followed by small gifts of food or donations to those in need. The tradition was a way of connecting with neighbours and sharing the spirit of Christmas with those who might not have much. Bringing back carolling will not only spread holiday cheer but it will also help us to remember the reason for the season.

Members of the National Chorale of Jamaica.

Christmas bonus: The tradition of giving Christmas bonuses may still be alive in some companies but it is certainly not as greatly anticipated as it once used to be. Yearly, employees used to look forward to a cash gift from their employers which would help them to enjoy the holiday season while feeling appreciated by their bosses. However, with the struggles that several companies faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a benefit that was cut for many. Some managed to recover faster but others are still working their way up to reviving this practice. We’d love to see it make a quick come back!

When Sting ruled: Remember when Sting was truly ‘The Greatest One Night Show On Earth’? The annual Boxing Day show produced many memorable moments and provided a platform that launched the career of some of dancehall’s biggest icons. However, marred by controversies, in recent times the show has lost its shine and is no longer the highly-anticipated Christmas season event it once was. We’re sure we speak for many dancehall fans in wanting to see Sting great again.

A section of the crowd attending Sting 40 at Jamworld in Portmore, St Catherine. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)