DIFFERENT folks, different strokes…or so the saying goes.
The concept is the same when it comes to Christmas, and here in Guyana, a country blessed with diversity, there is no one particular way to do the holidays.
In Laluni, a small community several miles off the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, Christmastime is a tradition of family bonding and sharing with friends — all done in a quiet and simple way.
There is no fussing about Christmas wreaths and garlands and red bows or tinsel and Christmas trees and fake candy canes.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with one family, who explained that the simplicity of Christmas in Laluni is what makes it a special celebration.
Mrs. Petty Doobay said in the quiet of the country air, the celebrations are what they should be: About family and maintaining the essence of Christmas, making it last for the better part of the New Year.
“The parties are a’right,” chirped her three-year-old granddaughter, Devina.
The little tot continues about her school party that “everyone” attended, and about this being the first Christmas for her two-month-old baby brother.
Mrs. Doobay notes that the family has been in Laluni for “long, long years now,” and is quite content with the pace of their celebrations.
“It is always peaceful here,” she said.

For 19-year-old Pauline Shuman, this Christmas will mark the second year since she got married and came to Laluni.
“It is really a quiet celebration with your family and friends…This year we not doing anything different,” she said.
The 19-year-old pointed out that the holidays mean a break from the garden (for a day at least).
Pauline explained that while her husband is out, for the most part she tries her hand at being a ‘farm girl’, planting mostly different cash crops.

“This year won’t be different from last year…We have church, then home. And after that, is just to cook and spend time together….It’s a family day really,” she said.
Pauline said that apart from the food and other goodies, part of the day is spent playing different games.
“It is fun and it is different from other places,” she said.
But according to another Laluni resident, Mr. Michael Patterson, as time changes, things will change.
He however stressed that at the end of it all, when you have taken away the commercialism, Christmastime is about remembering the greatest gift of love, and sharing with  people around you.
“Once you have that, and your family and friends around you, then the holidays are fun,” he said.
Patterson noted that he has been in Laluni since he left school, and even though he’s had Christmases away from home, Laluni always calls him back.
“It is good to see another place, but there’s no place like home,” he said.

Patterson pointed out that the Christmas Feast is one of the highlights just before Christmas in Laluni.
“The Christmas Feast is organised by the Church, and people come out and support… We cook food and share it around…We have a lot of carols too…It is always fun in our own way,” he said.
A teacher at the Laluni Primary School, Ms. Kavi Doobay, expressed similar sentiments.
“We go out sometimes for the holidays. Things are different from here, but at the end of the day, this will always be home…I don’t have any complaints about here,” she said.
Ms. Kavi Doobay and her students from the Laluni Primary School on the last day of school   

For the past 40 years, Alice Bishundal has spent her Christmases in Laluni and in her summation, simple is always better.
“Things here ordinary; you eat and drink and visit your family, or yuh friends come and visit…It is a quiet holiday, and we like it like that,” she said.
Part of a family that operates one of the bigger supply stores in the area, Ms Alice maintains that Christmas in Laluni has its own special ‘swing’, regardless of what you do.

Another long-time resident, Mrs. Dularie Harpal, has been in Laluni much longer than 40 years, and she insists that the holidays are always best in the country areas.
“You enjoy yourself more here. It quiet…you cook, you eat and you relax…Is always a nice holiday,” she said.
Apart from her parrot, Patrick, Mrs. Harpal has her children, who are never far from her, and so she is always surrounded by the people she loves — the most important thing at Christmastime.

A younger local, 18-year-old Alicia James, sums up the holidays in Laluni in three simple words: Family, friends and food.
“I was born and raised here…I have been out of Laluni, but I come back. It is safe here and generally a nice place to live…Christmas is quiet like it should be,” she said.
Alicia explained that taking the fuss out of the equation leaves you with what the holidays should be.

Ms. Madai Jagnarine or Aunty Betty, as she is more commonly called, lives alone and spends most of her time tending the cash crops she plants.
However, she said the holidays are particularly special because she is guaranteed a visit by her family.
“I alone live. My son he married and he live not too far and my other children live a way from here…I married and come her 50 years now…Christmas is easy nah. You cook and you eat and relax yourself with you family,” she said.

Christmas for everyone is a day of meaning and traditions special to each person, but most important it is made all the more special when it is spent with loved ones.
All in all, this is how Christmas in Laluni is summed up. Now, what about you?