“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny, a ha-penny will do. If you haven’t got a ha-penny then God bless you.”
Those words were popular in our house when I was growing up. It was always recited at Christmas time by my parents. God knows I had no idea what it meant, but it sounded cool to me so I went along with sing-song type recitals. It was not until I was much older that I started thinking about what those words could mean – Those who can afford it, give to the poor or needy.
The Christmas Season is full of family, merriment, celebration, food, drinks and of course the elaborate gifts. Some even go as far as making changes to their homes and yards and let’s not forget the expensive decoration.
Sadly though, the Yuletide season does not mean this for many. There are people who not only struggle financially, but mentally as well. The “spirit of heaviness” is real with them and they, although putting their proverbial best foot forward, are going through a living hell internally.
If we want to be honest, Christmas in The Bahamas is not just for celebrating the birth of the Christ child, but also for competitions of the best lit yard, the best David Yurman bracelet, the biggest engagement ring presented, the best new living room furniture, 20 gifts for each child etc etc etc.
During this season, people spend countless dollars on this ONE day and suffer the consequences afterward. Imagine the fathers with multiple children in multiple households who feel the pressure of spending on high priced toys bearing in mind he cannot spend more on one child.
After they spend on the kids, then there’s the gift list from their wives and “sweeties” that cannot be short cut in any way. Pressure is very tall for those men.
Then there are the single mothers who have no gifts to give their children because they are too buy trying to put food on the table and keep the lights and cable on. Their children are disappointed at Christmas and these single mothers feel like they have let them down.
We always have to remember the, “Keeping Up With the Joneses” crew who go into fierce competition buying furniture, lighting out yards, painting houses and buying a ton of clothes all because its Christmas time and they must outdo family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Believe it or not, this is the mindset of many.
At this time of year, the “predatory lenders” are rubbing their hands together in delight waiting to pounce on their prey, lending them thousands of dollars to go to Miami and clog up courier systems with things that some of them don’t really need.
Let’s fast forward to January, a month that is dreaded by many. For many, January introduces the beginning of payments of many new bills, excessive lack and ultimate famine in their homes. As most people are paid early in December, the month of January makes them desperate and then the borrowing from coworkers, friends and family starts, followed by the fallouts due to “the lack of returns”.
January is touted as being the “longest” month of the year. Go figure!
I’m getting ahead of myself …. let’s go back to December. Everything has to be sparkling new, the weaves can be no less than 28 inches long, the car we can’t afford is now parked in the driveway with the tell-tale red bow on it and let us not forget the aforementioned David Yurman pieces – all in the name of that ONE day – Christmas.
We talk about those who feel the pressure of over spending and competition and bragging rights, but what about those who are genuinely lonely and depressed at Christmas. Loneliness is real and so is depression.
Believe it or not, there are countless people in this country, and actually in the world, who crinch at the thought of Christmas. They have little or no family, no intimate relationships – no one to show them love at a time when everyone is sharing and giving love. They are the forgotten ones.
Because of all the merriment around them, they retreat into that dark world of depression, wondering why their God and the world they live in has dealt them such a bad hand. Then sometimes comes the abuse of alcohol or drugs to soothe this “pain”, but that’s another story.
Now I don’t want to come off as Ebenezer Scrooge or The Gringe, but I would advise people to be more financially responsible at this time. Christmas is just ONE day. After that day, life as we know it returns. This life is filled with bills, the responsibility of mortgage payments, child support and excessive light bills. These are the realities of life. Be careful!
Cheers to a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024. Let’s be kind to others this Christmas as we may not know what pressures of life they are facing. Well, that’s how I see it anyway.
“AS I SEE IT” DISCLAIMER – The views and opinions represented in this column, “As I See It” belong to the columnist and do not necessarily represent those of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. The views and opinions expressed in the column are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. This column is for informational purposes only.
