FOR 36-year-old Chandale Thomas, Christmas has always been a cherished tradition, meticulously planned months in advance.

However, this year, the public health inspector is not as upbeat as her only daughter prepares to migrate just days before the big day.

Determined to make their last Christmas at home memorable and charitable, Thomas found an unexpected ally in Red Stripe’s ‘Beer Gifting’ promotion.

Winning a $150,000 supermarket shopping spree became the key to crafting a heartfelt send-off for her daughter and a chance to extend the spirit of giving to her friends, family, and co-workers.

“By Easter, I usually have my Christmas shopping done, and I’m looking forward to the holiday, but this year is different. My daughter is leaving on the 21st to live with her dad, and not having her around for the holiday will be tough. However, I still wanted to make our moments together extra special before she leaves,” shared Thomas.

The opportunity came unexpectedly when she entered the ‘Beer Gifting’ promotion at Ramtulla’s Supermarket in Port Antonio, Portland.

“Normally, I don’t pay much attention to promotions, but this young lady explained it to me, and I decided to give it a try. I’m a huge Malta fan, so I picked up four bottles and a week or so later, I got the call saying I’d won. It felt surreal,” said Thomas.

Upon hearing the good news, Thomas and her nine-year-old daughter started a thoughtful planning session, eager to make the most of their gift. Together, they mapped out a strategy, carefully deciding how to divide the goods to benefit family members and Chandale’s closest co-worker.

“My daughter listed what each person would appreciate, so I took her with me to go shopping. We went through the list together, and it felt good to be working on something so meaningful with her,” said Thomas.

Accompanied by her daughter and mother, Thomas then made their way to the supermarket for a timed shopping spree. They eagerly navigated the aisles, stocking up on everything needed for a memorable Christmas — plenty of food and gifts to share with loved ones. The shopping spree helped Thomas bring her holiday vision to life, ensuring the season remained joyful and fulfilling despite the bittersweet circumstances.

“I’ll still be cooking up a storm, just like I always do. There will be plenty of food, drinks, and laughter for family and friends. It might be a little quieter without her, but my daughter will be celebrating with her dad. As for us here in Jamaica, I’ll ensure we stay connected and spread as much joy as possible,” declared Thomas.

The ‘Beer Gifting’ promotion, which runs until December 15, offers customers the chance to win various prizes, including supermarket vouchers, 65-inch flat-screen TVs, cash prizes, gas vouchers, Courts vouchers, and more.

To participate, consumers need to purchase any four products from the participating brands, such as Heineken, Red Stripe, Red Stripe Flavours, Dragon, Guinness, and Malta.

“I appreciate this initiative. It’s not just about winning a prize — it’s about having the chance to make lasting memories with my daughter before she leaves. The variety of prizes made it easy to focus on what mattered most: creating a memorable Christmas while giving back to those I care about,” added Thomas.

Public Health Inspector Chandale Thomas (centre) engages warmly with Red Stripe Flavours Junior Brand Manager Cavell Robinson (left) and Progressive Supermarket Store Manager Dionne Griffiths, before the start of her $150,000 shopping spree.