Christmas in 5 ... with ‘Aunty Babsy’

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, OJ, CD, MP, minister of culture, gender, entertainment, and sport, is a name synonymous with warmth, family, and a deep appreciation for Jamaican culture and traditions. For 'Aunty Babsy', her Christmas customs, rooted in her upbringing and her commitment to community, reflect her vibrant personality and dedication to giving back in the special season.

1 . How do you usually spend Christmas?

"For me, Christmas is about community. I make sure things are in place for them to enjoy Christmas. My constituency is my extended family, so I spend time with them, too."

2. What's your all-time favourite Christmas dish, and who usually cooks it?

"Bwoy, I don't know my favourite dish, because it's just the time of the year when all the favourite dishes that I love are on the table. But if I was to choose, it would be the oxtail and the roast beef, especially when it's well-seasoned, with the pimentos sticking out. I'm usually too busy with my extended family at the constituency, so my daughter handles things, along with the help of all my housekeepers. And it's a lot of food, so different family members will choose a dish that he or she would prepare and take on Christmas Day."

3. Can you share a special Christmas memory from your childhood that always brings a smile to your face?

"The Christmas memories of going to the pantomime at the Ward Theatre - those were the days. I think it will open on Boxing Bay. As a little girl, my mother would take me to the pantomime and that was my treat for the Christmas. At the Ward Theatre at that time, you had three sections: dress circle, which was the VIP section; then there was the main theatre on the ground floor; and then there was that third level, which was the cheapest section, called the 'fowl roost'. That's where she would take me because that's what we could afford, but we loved it. It was a real treat for me!"

"And, of course, getting my package from the US, sent by my grandaunt who named me Atavia. That's my middle name. She always sent me these pretty little dresses that would go well with the shoes my father made. My father was a shoemaker and he would make these really nice leather shoes,but they bun me! Walking around and hopping in my shoes weh burning me. Them pretty like what, but dem burning me. My mother was a dressmaker, so me never lack shoes and clothes, I always dress up in my pretty 'dandan'. We didn't have Christmas trees at home, but going to see the big tree light up [in downtown Kingston] was a fanfare."

4. Are there any unique traditions you and your family follow during the holiday season that make Christmas extra special for you?

"Family from far and wide always come together for Christmas and have a good time. Listening to music and catching up. Back then, my friends and I would have our own little Christmas concert. We grew up in a tenement yard and ... there was a street light, so our stage was the sidewalk and we came together and sang and danced there, and played hop scotch. Watching the children in the family now creating their own memories is a tradition in itself."

5. For you, what is the true essence of Christmas?

"The essence of Christmas is giving, sharing, and reflection. It's a time to think about the year gone by and plan for the future. Sharing and showing that you care means a lot to people. That, more than anything else, is the true essence of Christmas."

Grange reminded everyone of the joy that comes from giving and togetherness -- a timeless message for the holiday season.