Christmas transforms the Jamaican kitchen into a gathering place where family recipes come alive and new traditions take root. From the sizzle of The Best Dressed Chicken Roaster and the Hamilton’s Smokehouse Ham in the oven to the sweet aroma of sorrel brewing on the stove, our holiday celebrations blend cherished customs with fresh twists that make each family’s feast unique.

We visited Lee’s Food Fair on Red Hills Road, where holiday shoppers shared their Christmas plans and cherished memories while picking up their festive essentials. Today, we’re stepping into their homes where three generations cook side by side, newlyweds create their first holiday memories, and relatives bridge oceans to keep traditions strong. Through their stories, discover how Jamaican families are serving up Christmas with their own special flavour.

A Family Feast That Keeps Growing 

When we caught up with Tamar Martin, she was already in full Christmas mode, selecting her Hamilton’s Smokehouse Ham and planning her signature pineapple glaze. “We have to have our ham, definitely!” she said, brightening up. Christmas has grown from a celebration with just her husband and a “quick dinner” to include her three daughters and siblings who return from overseas to celebrate as a family. They even take it up a notch with matching pyjamas.

“Usually, we have friends and family coming over for dinner, and the ham is a big deal,” Tamar shared. “I used to watch a cooking show when I was a teenager, and there was this pineapple glaze they would use. I learned it and have put it on my ham every year since. The recipe is tattered and discoloured, but I still use it. Everybody loves it—even people who don’t eat ham eat my ham!”

For Tamar, Christmas brings a double celebration as her daughter Mia celebrates a birthday on Christmas Day. “We celebrate her in the morning and then have dinner in the evening. Usually, we have The Best Dressed Chicken Roaster, curry goat, and some seafood. I always think I’m feeding five people—my immediate family—but it’s growing to about 15 to 20 people. After dinner, as the evening winds down, everybody gets a box of leftovers to take home, and we eat the rest!”

Coming Home for Christmas

Cecelia “Madge” Spencer’s life has come full circle and so have her Christmas traditions. A retired librarian, she moved to Kingston from Manchester after getting married in the 1970s. Though life in the city pulled her away from childhood traditions in Mandeville, recent years have drawn her back to her roots.

As a child, Madge cherished the celebrations with her close-knit family. Life changed when she started her family in Kingston, where work, church, and city life filled their days. But after her children migrated overseas and her husband passed away, she knew it was time to return to Mandeville, where family traditions remained vibrant.

“I’m from a stable family situation, so family, friends, and Christmas are all synonymous,” Madge reflects. “There were three children in our parents’ home, but countless others lived with us over the years because my mother boarded children. Christmas was always fulsome—we’d have a Christmas tree, music, church services, and all the traditions.”

This year brings new changes. “We’re in a new home for Christmas,” she shares. “My daughter is coming from overseas, though my son will stay with his family abroad. But that’s alright—our home has always been a centre for whatever family comes home for Christmas.”

A Holiday Filled with Love 

Love is in the air for Carl Dawkins and Althea Freeman, who are making this Christmas extra special. The engaged couple, planning their wedding for early 2025, finish each other’s sentences as they describe their holiday plans. Their brand-new gazebo sets the stage for a celebration that will welcome over two dozen guests, blending their upcoming wedding excitement with Christmas cheer.

“We’ll be moving outside for Christmas this year,” they explain, eager to host friends and family in their new outdoor space. At the heart of their celebration is Althea’s legendary jerk chicken, made exclusively with The Best Dressed Chicken. “Oh, that would be my jerk chicken,” Althea says proudly. “It’s the bomb,” Carl adds, with Althea agreeing, “Yes, it is, especially when I use The Best Dressed Chicken!” The couple bursts out laughing at their shared enthusiasm.

Carl adds his own romantic touch to their celebration with mistletoe hung throughout their home. This sweet gesture adds an extra spark of romance to their Christmas parties, making their celebration uniquely their own.

As they look forward to their wedding next year, the couple is focused on building their life together, starting with these new Christmas traditions that blend family, food, and love. Their story shows how personal touches can make the season even more special, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Starting Small, Making Memories 

Romaine Folkes, shopping with his energetic two-year-old in tow, brings a refreshing perspective to Christmas celebrations. As a father and husband of three years, he’s learned that holiday magic comes from keeping things simple and meaningful.

“We have been married for three years and this is our third Christmas together,” he shares. “We plan to cook, exchange gifts and try to link up with the extended family; maybe go to Portland to relax.”

For those starting their own Christmas traditions, Romaine offers practical wisdom: “Take it easy, learn to develop your traditions and don’t get carried away by the big feasts that would normally be planned by our grandparents. Don’t be afraid to rope in the extended family for advice.”

His approach is deliberately scaled back. “I won’t try to cook three to four meats,” he says with a chuckle. “Definitely, I will scale it back and go lighter with the amount I eat, but that’s personal as I’m trying to lose weight.”

For new hosts still finding their way around the kitchen, Romaine suggests starting simple: “Potlucks are always good for those who can cook. For those who can’t cook and you want to learn, it’s a great opportunity to do so.”

Keeping Traditions Across Distance 

Omar and Amelia Duval have spent nine years perfecting their Christmas traditions with Omar’s parents in Drax Hall. Though this year finds them celebrating overseas, they’re determined to keep family connections strong. “My father was actually looking forward to us spending time again, so now we have to consider doing a video call on Christmas day,” Omar shares.

Ask about their most anticipated holiday dish, and their response is immediate—both burst into laughter with a resounding “Ham!” echoing through the supermarket aisles. Their Hamilton’s Smokehouse Ham comes with a special touch: “We usually do a sorrel glaze or honey mustard glaze,” Omar explains. “We look forward to decorating the ham with cloves and pineapples. The sorrel is grown on my parents’ farm and it goes well with our meals.”

Amelia’s eyes light up as she describes their signature glaze: “With the sorrel glaze, you can taste the richness of the sorrel. It has a sweet and tangy taste to it so I like it. The honey mustard is also good.” But beyond the recipes, she adds, “What stands out is being around the table as a family and carving it with ones we love—that’s what makes the difference.”

Two Traditions, One Celebration 

For Jorge and Valeria Parra, this Christmas brings the excitement of discovery. Recently moved from Guadalajara, Mexico, the couple and their two daughters are experiencing their first holiday season in Jamaica, where familiar traditions meet new flavours.

“In Mexico, we prepare traditional foods and dishes; we have sweet dishes and spicy dishes—that’s Mexican food in fact,” Jorge says with a smile. Now in Jamaica, they’re curious about local holiday customs. “It’s new to us to see fruitcake, for example. For us, that is not common.”

While exploring Jamaican traditions, Jorge’s thoughts drift to his grandmother’s kitchen back home, where her signature dish would bring the whole family together. “There is a version of pozole that my grandma prepared when I was in Mexico,” he recalls fondly. “That kind of dish makes the rest of the family come to my grandma’s house.”

As they shop for their holiday meal at Lee’s Food Fair, the Parras are discovering how to create new memories with The Best Dressed Chicken and local ingredients, while keeping their Mexican traditions alive for their daughters.

Share Your Story, Win with The Best Dressed Chicken

What makes your Christmas special? Share your family’s holiday food tradition for a chance to win a festive hamper from The Best Dressed Chicken!

Simply share your story on Instagram or Facebook, tag @jamaicaobserver, and use #BestChristmasTraditions.

One lucky winner will receive a holiday hamper. Share your tradition by December Sunday, December 22 2024. The winner will be announced on Thursday December 26 2024.