A Bajan Christmas - What To Expect ?
As the chilly weather and dark nights set in there is no better time to escape the winter blues than now. So swap snow for sand, cold for sunshine and hot chocolate for a whole lotta rum punch as we share what a Bajan Christmas is really like !
Barbados is a religious island where the traditional story of Jesus Christ’s birth is firmly celebrated but it’s also a special time for family and loved ones to come together, enjoy good times and give gifts.
Music and Decorations
In the lead up to Christmas, like most countries decorating is well underway. If you travel through the island you will see many homes and businesses adorned with beautiful trees, lights, decorations and even fake snow !
Christmas music can be heard on all radio stations from as early as November. With the likes of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby’s Christmas classics to get us all in the Festive spirit.
Traditional Christmas Dishes
The most talked about dish of the season and highly anticipated on every Barbadian’s table is “Baked Ham”. Slow cooked oven baked juicy ham covered in a pineapple glaze.Our tastebuds are tingling just thinking of it !
Another must have devoured on Christmas Day is “Jug Jug” consisting of salted meat, pigeon peas, corn flour and mixed herbs. This dish arose by its influence from Scottish Immigrants from the 1600’s with origins in the Scottish national dish Haggis.
Not forgetting something sweet for afters is the Bajan take on the Classic British Christmas pudding, known locally as the “Black Cake / Rum Cake / Great Cake”. It consists of a mixture of dried fruit like cherries and currants, spices and liqueurs.
Christmas Events
The festive calendar is always jam packed with events for all the family from Boxing Day Horse racing to the Carols by Candle Light Show to Religious Services.
The place to be seen on Christmas Day is Queens Park in Bridgetown where locals come together to parade in their finest fashions showcasing a mixture of modern and vintage styles to celebrate the season. This event is free of cost and live entertainment is provided by the spectacular Royal Barbados Police Form band.