Grandma and granddaughter make Valentine shopping a family tradition

For some it may seem like just a business venture, but for Tashell and her grandmother, Miss Deloris, peddling their Valentine's Day-themed gift baskets has become a family tradition.

For more than 20 years, the pair have been helping others show appreciation to their loved ones during the Valentine season by selling the baskets that they arrange themselves. Yesterday, they were out at their usual spot in North Parade, downtown Kingston, getting in last-minute sales. Tashell told THE STAR, "I'm 25 going to be 26 and from me know myself, me a tell you from me a likkle likkle girl, my grandmother always deh out here so."

Miss Deloris, who is a vendor by trade, told THE STAR that she also sells spices such as nutmeg on a daily basis. She joked that in recent years, her granddaughter's good looks have increased the basket sales.

"You know why me carry har? Cause me old and she young. So when the young man dem come and dem see she, yuh understand. Dem we quick fi buy from she more dan the old woman," she said. Whether due to Tashell's pleasant appearance or the high demand for gifts, the pair have never returned home with unsold products; except on Father's Day.

"Every year me come out here and help me grandmother and me always get everything sell off. We start yesterday (Sunday) and we come out with 18 and mi have five left back from yesterday. So me bring out back the five and we make 'bout 12 from mawning and she still have more a make," Tashell said.

"She sell fi Mother's Day and Father's Day but you see fi the Father's Day, we nah really bring out so much cause we realise seh di people dem nah really guh hard fi Father's Day ... but you know fi di Valentines's Day, we deh out yah suh," she added.

Tashell also said "A she wrap basket dem har self. We buy di sumn dem and put dem together nice wid di likkle practice and dem ting deh you know."

Starting at $2,500, their baskets include not only traditional Valentine's Day items but also things that are useful all year round.

"We have teddy bear wine, chocolate, body spray, body wash and some likkle figurine something deh weh you put pon your dresser," said Tashell.

But while the good sales are encouraging, Miss Deloris maintains that it is the tradition of selling together that keeps her and Tashell coming back.

"Is a traditional thing you know. Every year a me and har so a just suh it affi go," said Miss Deloris, adding that the days they are out there together mean something extra special.

"A just me and har you know, mi nuh know wha else fi say. A just me and har."