Family keeps natural Christmas tree tradition

With her father by her side and wearing a focused gaze, Elizabeth Nembhard carefully assessed different evergreen Christmas trees being sold at Village Plaza on Constant Spring Road, St Andrew.

After about five minutes of careful analysis, the 29-year-old finally decided on a tree that was roughly five feet tall to be the main attraction in her family's home for the Yuletide season. Since the age of 10, Elizabeth has had the great responsibility of choosing her family's Christmas tree. She told THE WEEKEND STAR that without it, Christmas is not complete.

"I feel like Christmas in Jamaica is more like a season, so it starts with us getting the Christmas tree then decorating it," Elizabeth said. She added that although the tree only lasts for a few weeks even with proper maintenance, her family has never considered purchasing any other type of tree because those do not give off the same feeling.

"We've never had a plastic tree. My grandparents have a plastic tree and it looks pretty but it doesn't smell like Christmas," she said.

The tradition of purchasing evergreens as Christmas trees was started by Elizabeth's father, Donald Nembhard, almost four decades ago. He told THE WEEKEND STAR that he started the tradition because of his love for the trees' scent.

"It's the smell of the willow. It's natural and we love the natural smell," Nembhard said.

The evergreen trees, which are grown in the Blue Mountains, cost $2,000 per feet and require a great deal of maintenance to thrive. As a result, they are a main source of revenue for farmers and tree sellers during the Christmas season. However, in addition to the revenue, some sellers like Ipal Smith - who has been selling for more than 14 years - profit from the joy the trees give his customers.

"It's not just for the money only. We meet a lot of people from all walks of life and it good to know that we are doing something for the wider Jamaica," Smith said, adding that despite a decrease in sales, he recognises that these trees are special to many families across the island.

"Most people look out for the trees this time of the year. It give the fragrance in the house, suh the family, yuh know the kids looking out for it, because the parents grow up with it and the kids come and they all enjoy it same way," said Smith.