No money? Don't worry. Buttons, matchboxes, paper, paints from an arts and craft store, and other simple materials can make your Christmas sparkle. Use them to make your own garlands, decorations and to jazz up simple Christmas gifts.
-Rosemary Parkinson photo
Rosemary Parkinson
, Contributor
IT WAS THE night before Xmas when all through mi yard, not a creature was stirring for times were so hard...
Do you have the Christmas blues? You know, those mi-no-'ave-no-money-for-de-pickney-dem kind of blues?
Well, honey, been there and done that, believe you me. But you know what? Never again. I learned long ago in tight, tight times to have a very special kind of Christmas -- one with no waste, extravagant toys, silly purchases that mean nothing, and out-the-window decorations that have your house looking like a stall in a Turkish market. Let's make a change and see what it does for the family. At first everyone will 'get on bad' but insist and you will awaken a sense of achievement and enjoyment -- even pride.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Let's start with the Christmas tree. How about something Jamaican? Don't laugh, there's plenty in your yard that can take the place of those poor, Canadian trees from their homes, squashed into containers and shipped across the seas -- a fate worse than snow. Then there are those plastic numbers -- we pay through our noses for them. Well, no sah, not me. My Christmas is a creative exercise of love, togetherness and giving. And I know that these actions shape my children's character and teach the importance of saving our environment and helping our country.
So get the family together and start.
1. Cut a nice full branch from any strong tree (like guava), place straight up in a pot of sand or rocks. Water. Leaves can be removed or left on. Or, if you want, search around for bramble in different sizes. Place the tallest in one pot and arrange smaller pots around the main one. With a garden shears shape into a Christmas tree.
2. Paint or spray 'tree' in white, silver or gold and presto. Take out the lights from last year and string as you would a Xmas Tree.
3. (This is funny) If you have geese, chickens or ducks, collect all those feathers and try a 19th
century American trick. Dye green, dry and wrap around wires in different sizes. A red bead placed at one end gives that 'berry-finish'. Attach wires to a broomstick and voila.
By the way, old blankets or white bed sheets make wonderful tree skirts. Build them up around the tree by placing crunched up old newspapers under the skirt.
DECORATIONS
Some evenings, turn off that plastic noise-box and get the family busy. Paper, painted with poster paints, folded and cut-out make lovely garlands, small ones for the tree and large ones for the room. Popcorn and raisins can also be strung through with needle and thread. Croton plant leaves strung together with bramble, feathers, green limes painted in gold & silver make garlands with a difference.
MATCH BOXES, BUTTONS AND PAPER PLATE -- MAKE THEM GLITTER
Matchboxes, painted or glittered, can be hung on the tree. Paper plates can become canvases for the children. Cut out angels, circles as balls, stars, half moons, stockings and candy canes. Buttons in all different sizes (get out the ones you keep saving for a rainy day) glue on some glitter and convert into Christmas mobiles, icicles -- all with a little needle and thread. Believe you me, even those old metal tops from can drinks, with a hole bored through one side for stringing, dipped in glitter or just painted, can make great decorations. Uuuuh -- my mind is running away here. See what I mean? Start on the project and the ideas just keep coming.
Oh, while you're in that sewing basket how about all those pieces of trim, bring them out and use them to hang Christmas cards.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Let the children tackle these -- adults join in too. There's nothing like a great home-made Christmas card to set people talking. Next year the recipients will try to outdo you with style. True, true, true. Crayons, felt pens, paint and paintbrushes and some plain white paper can start that artistic ball rolling. Even the envelopes can be home-made.
PRESENTS -- THE BIGGEST PROBLEM? NOT AT ALL
If you want to get really creative and you have a little money to spend, how about going to an arts and craft shop. I went to the Arts Centre on Old Hope Road, Kingston, and found all manner of specialised paints for glass, ceramics, and wood. Gifts to self-design can include a mug for Grand Dad, a birdbox for brother Henry, a jewellery box for Mary -- even a paper towel holder for Mom -- and a cocktail tray for Barman Dad. Now those are presents to be proud of and worth caring for once received. And useful too.
Baked breads, cookies and cakes make lovely gifts. Slabs of wood or baskets with different baked goods wrapped in cellophane would bring a smile to a family. Fruit baskets with bottled home-made preserves, Sorrel, Ponche Creme, home-made wines.
Christmas Puddings, bottled oil with herbs -- onion, garlic, pimento or annatto, are great gifts. What about those old time Christmas sweets? Hey, your kitchen can produce an array of wonderful presents. Use it.
