A Jamaican Christmas is quite unlike many other traditional celebrations. A Jamaican Christmas seamlessly blends brilliant sunshine, delectable food, compassion and love. This year, with life for many in a tailspin, most people have opted to scale Christmas celebrations and limit larger gatherings. Despite the obvious restrictions, it remains a time for togetherness, introspection, peace, happiness and love. Here’s how some of Jamaica’s most influential businessleaders and corporate executives plan to spend the holidays:
These are extraordinary times, which means this Christmas season is an extraordinary one. My personal slogan for this Christmas is “gratitude without discrimination.” My takeaway from these past months going into this festive season is to embrace festivity in a minimalist way. I have embarked on a toy drive to collect toys for some children with disabilities to try and brighten their holidays. I will celebrate with my team the fact that we are still in business and have much to be grateful for. I will then spend Christmas with my family, feasting and giving thanks as I look forward to a new year with new potential.
Xesus Johnson, CEO Prime Sports- The spirit of giving is the hallmark of Christmas and over the years we have used this opportunity to reach out to the less fortunate among us and create fond memories with our loved ones. This global pandemic has shown us how important it is to be mindful of the vulnerable among us all year round, and to spread love not just to our friends and family but at times to complete strangers. So, for me, the spirit of Christmas started months ago and this Christmas will be an extension of the love that many of us share with the people we cherish and anyone who may need an extra helping hand. This holiday, my focus will be on “giving thanks” for family, friends and the ability to make a difference. My thoughts and prayers are with those families whose lives have been touched negatively by the pandemic. My family and I will spend our time helping others who are less fortunate and ensuring that they too receive love and happiness during this season. Christmas 2020 is a chance to let our humanity shine through and we should commit to making someone else happy by caring just a bit more.
Kadeen Mairs, CEO Dolla Financial Limited- Christmas traditionally is time for family and gatherings to celebrate the season. This year we are limited in a number of ways including travel and event restrictions, but I’ll be making every effort to utilize technology as best as possible to connect and share with the people that mean the most to me. Outside of that I’ll be doing what I have to, in order to keep family, friends and myself safe as we continue to navigate the pandemic. For the season my wish is that we all get to experience kindness and remember the real reason for the season.
Kamal Powell, Brand Marketing Manager Campari Group- This year is unlike any other we’ve faced before, and while we continue to be impacted by Covid 19, the hallmarks of the Jamaican Christmas tradition remain the same. In the absence of big events and Christmas parties, I’ll be spending more time with family and close friends. It’s a time to continue to care for the less fortunate among us, even as we embrace those closest to us. As we bring 2020 to an end I am hopeful that the New Year will bring well-needed peace and a marked improvement in the current global health crisis. My hope is that as we sit with each other at our respective tables across the country, we will remain mindful of the vulnerable and continue to do what we can to ensure that we all can experience a Happy Holiday.
Robert Whitehorne, General Manager Growth Tech Ltd- We will be having a smaller than usual Christmas gathering this year with only the immediate family members in our household. We plan to participate in the opening of presents remotely using Zoom and Skype. This season, we have already adapted to having quality time in this manner.It is also a time when we remember the less fortunate and we encourage you to join us as we make the time and set aside some resources to provide a little relief for them. We pray for comfort for those who have lost family and friends, speedy aid and support for those who are suffering from the effects of the illness. Patience with the social restrictions which we should accept as only a temporary measure to keep us all healthy and hope that we will all get through this better and stronger.
Ryan Reid, CEO First Rock Group- Christmas for me is about family. I believe it is the most ideal time of the entire year for us to bond, catch up, remind persons how much we love them and the most exciting part, exchange of gifts. I plan to spend Christmas with my family, it’s my first year of being a father so I will be enjoying with my partner, my daughter and my parents.
Neil Grant, Account Director Huawei – This pandemic has changed the way we live generally, however Christmas is an extremely special time that we must enjoy regardless of the restrictions while continuing to be safe. I will be having Christmas dinner with the family and spending quality time with my children, as well as friends who are family. I will be taking the opportunity to support the local tourism sector over the season to enjoy a bit of the island paradise as well. Since I will be home more this season, spending time with the DIY toolkit and my BBQ are definitely in the cards for me. Giving time to my community and helping the less fortunate is important, so I’ll be doing that as well.
Lorna Gooden, General Manager SVREL- This pandemic has curtailed travel plans, so for Christmas I will be connecting with my family who are overseas, virtually, and staying in for a quiet day. I will be spending the boxing day with my work family at Caymanas Park for our race day, there will be enertaining horse racing on show. Please remember to follow the protocols, wear your masks, sanitize and social distance. Stay safe and see you in 2021.
Stacy Halsall Peart, COO Advanced Integrated Systems- During Christmas, my family takes a break from the hustle of everyday and focus on others instead of ourselves. It’s a value that was instilled in me by my parents and one that my husband and I have passed on to our children. It’s also a beautiful time to bring those we love together. It’s a celebration of love for those we hold dearly and for those we may never meet. This year the purpose doesn’t change, the meaning doesn’t change we simply have to be more creative with the delivery. This year, even more than any other, our brothers and sisters are in need and if we are in a position to do something to assist, we must. It’s true that we may not be able to enjoy the warmth of each other’s physical company, but we don’t have to be close to each other to express our love, celebrate each other and to keep the less fortunate in mind.
Sean Shelton, Attorney at Law, Director Real Equity Limited – This has been a very challenging year for all of us in more ways than one. The pandemic has brought about a new normal in the way we live. However, Christmas is a special time of year for me. It is a time that I devote to my family; spending quality time with my children. We also cannot forget the less fortunate and I plan to participate in a drive to feed the homeless on Christmas Eve.
Garth Walker, Co-Founder Adam&Eve Day Spa- Covid 19 has totally thwarted the way we normally celebrate the festive season. At this point planning would be in high gear as to which parties you would be interested in attending and the many Christmas corporate functions and lymes. This year Christmas will really be about keeping safe and spending quality time with friends and family as we look to a more auspicious new year.
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A Jamaican Christmas is quite unlike many other traditional celebrations. A Jamaican Christmas seamlessly blends brilliant sunshine, delectable food, compassion and love. This year, with life for many in a tailspin, most people have opted to scale Christmas celebrations and limit larger gatherings. Despite the obvious restrictions, it remains a time for togetherness, introspection, peace, happiness and love. Here’s how some of Jamaica’s most influential business leaders and corporate executives plan to spend the holidays:
Nayana Williams, CEO Lifespan Spring Water-
These are extraordinary times, which means this Christmas season is an extraordinary one. My personal slogan for this Christmas is “gratitude without discrimination.” My takeaway from these past months going into this festive season is to embrace festivity in a minimalist way. I have embarked on a toy drive to collect toys for some children with disabilities to try and brighten their holidays. I will celebrate with my team the fact that we are still in business and have much to be grateful for. I will then spend Christmas with my family, feasting and giving thanks as I look forward to a new year with new potential.
Xesus Johnson, CEO Prime Sports- The spirit of giving is the hallmark of Christmas and over the years we have used this opportunity to reach out to the less fortunate among us and create fond memories with our loved ones. This global pandemic has shown us how important it is to be mindful of the vulnerable among us all year round, and to spread love not just to our friends and family but at times to complete strangers. So, for me, the spirit of Christmas started months ago and this Christmas will be an extension of the love that many of us share with the people we cherish and anyone who may need an extra helping hand. This holiday, my focus will be on “giving thanks” for family, friends and the ability to make a difference. My thoughts and prayers are with those families whose lives have been touched negatively by the pandemic. My family and I will spend our time helping others who are less fortunate and ensuring that they too receive love and happiness during this season. Christmas 2020 is a chance to let our humanity shine through and we should commit to making someone else happy by caring just a bit more.
Kadeen Mairs, CEO Dolla Financial Limited- Christmas traditionally is time for family and gatherings to celebrate the season. This year we are limited in a number of ways including travel and event restrictions, but I’ll be making every effort to utilize technology as best as possible to connect and share with the people that mean the most to me. Outside of that I’ll be doing what I have to, in order to keep family, friends and myself safe as we continue to navigate the pandemic. For the season my wish is that we all get to experience kindness and remember the real reason for the season.
Kamal Powell, Brand Marketing Manager Campari Group- This year is unlike any other we’ve faced before, and while we continue to be impacted by Covid 19, the hallmarks of the Jamaican Christmas tradition remain the same. In the absence of big events and Christmas parties, I’ll be spending more time with family and close friends. It’s a time to continue to care for the less fortunate among us, even as we embrace those closest to us. As we bring 2020 to an end I am hopeful that the New Year will bring well-needed peace and a marked improvement in the current global health crisis. My hope is that as we sit with each other at our respective tables across the country, we will remain mindful of the vulnerable and continue to do what we can to ensure that we all can experience a Happy Holiday.
Robert Whitehorne, General Manager Growth Tech Ltd- We will be having a smaller than usual Christmas gathering this year with only the immediate family members in our household. We plan to participate in the opening of presents remotely using Zoom and Skype. This season, we have already adapted to having quality time in this manner.It is also a time when we remember the less fortunate and we encourage you to join us as we make the time and set aside some resources to provide a little relief for them. We pray for comfort for those who have lost family and friends, speedy aid and support for those who are suffering from the effects of the illness. Patience with the social restrictions which we should accept as only a temporary measure to keep us all healthy and hope that we will all get through this better and stronger.
Ryan Reid, CEO First Rock Group- Christmas for me is about family. I believe it is the most ideal time of the entire year for us to bond, catch up, remind persons how much we love them and the most exciting part, exchange of gifts. I plan to spend Christmas with my family, it’s my first year of being a father so I will be enjoying with my partner, my daughter and my parents.
Neil Grant, Account Director Huawei – This pandemic has changed the way we live generally, however Christmas is an extremely special time that we must enjoy regardless of the restrictions while continuing to be safe. I will be having Christmas dinner with the family and spending quality time with my children, as well as friends who are family. I will be taking the opportunity to support the local tourism sector over the season to enjoy a bit of the island paradise as well. Since I will be home more this season, spending time with the DIY toolkit and my BBQ are definitely in the cards for me. Giving time to my community and helping the less fortunate is important, so I’ll be doing that as well.
Lorna Gooden, General Manager SVREL- This pandemic has curtailed travel plans, so for Christmas I will be connecting with my family who are overseas, virtually, and staying in for a quiet day. I will be spending the boxing day with my work family at Caymanas Park for our race day, there will be enertaining horse racing on show. Please remember to follow the protocols, wear your masks, sanitize and social distance. Stay safe and see you in 2021.
Stacy Halsall Peart, COO Advanced Integrated Systems- During Christmas, my family takes a break from the hustle of everyday and focus on others instead of ourselves. It’s a value that was instilled in me by my parents and one that my husband and I have passed on to our children. It’s also a beautiful time to bring those we love together. It’s a celebration of love for those we hold dearly and for those we may never meet. This year the purpose doesn’t change, the meaning doesn’t change we simply have to be more creative with the delivery. This year, even more than any other, our brothers and sisters are in need and if we are in a position to do something to assist, we must. It’s true that we may not be able to enjoy the warmth of each other’s physical company, but we don’t have to be close to each other to express our love, celebrate each other and to keep the less fortunate in mind.
Sean Shelton, Attorney at Law, Director Real Equity Limited – This has been a very challenging year for all of us in more ways than one. The pandemic has brought about a new normal in the way we live. However, Christmas is a special time of year for me. It is a time that I devote to my family; spending quality time with my children. We also cannot forget the less fortunate and I plan to participate in a drive to feed the homeless on Christmas Eve.
Garth Walker, Co-Founder Adam&Eve Day Spa- Covid 19 has totally thwarted the way we normally celebrate the festive season. At this point planning would be in high gear as to which parties you would be interested in attending and the many Christmas corporate functions and lymes. This year Christmas will really be about keeping safe and spending quality time with friends and family as we look to a more auspicious new year.
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