THE day we’ve all been awaiting is finally here and already a few hours old. Stores that were once bursting at their seams with Christmas goodies and bristling with activity are now strangely silent and askew after last night’s mad rush to pick up a few last-minute items and bargains, and those kids that are fortunate enough to have one are by now hunkered down beside the Christmas tree and rifling through the heap of presents beneath it to see if Santa remembered to bring them everything they had on the exhaustive list they’d sent him.
From all accounts, Christmas 2011 promises to be a long day and mixed bag for many.
For mother-of-four, Laticia Headley of Riverside, Tiger Bay, her one wish was to be in her own home with all the amenities. Unfortunately, she’ll have to hold that thought as she’s now building, and because of limited resources, it is turning out to be a long process.
As she’d told the Chronicle when we paid her a visit a few days ago: “For 2011 Christmas, I wish to be under my own roof; my home must have proper playing space for my children.  We will eat nice, but healthy.”
She’d also aspired to get each child ‘a little something’ for the season. “I want to have a tree and toys for all four of them.  I don’t like guns for them; that only reinforces violence. I prefer educational toys, like cooking sets, doctor’s set and if possible a computer. Christmas to me is all about children; I try my best to fulfill some of my children’s wishes.”
Unlike her friends, she is conscious of her limitations. “I have friends who are shopaholics; the ads and store windows entice them, and they buy all sorts of things they don’t even need. Many of them feel that they must have all sorts of things in order to enjoy Christmas. I am not like that; my ultimate wish is for a peaceful atmosphere; I can create my own peace.”
Her nine-year-old son, Antonio, wants a pellet gun and a bicycle. He told me that he did not enjoy Christmas in the past, because he did not get anything that he wanted. Eleven-year-old Celina McLean, meanwhile, wants a laptop and some nice books for Christmas.
“Harry Potter and Nancy Drew are my favourites,” she said. “My nicest Christmas was last year; my grandmother living in the USA sent me a doll, a Hanna Montana watch, a Christmas card, and ten US dollars.”
Still excited at the memory, little Celina said: “That Christmas, as soon as I got up, I headed straight for the kitchen. I wished everyone a merry Christmas, then opened my gift. That day was full of excitement and fun. I ate pepperpot and home-made bread, apples and grapes. After eating, I took a bath then went on the road. My ultimate Christmas wish is to own my own house and have all my family live with me.”
Antionetta Wilkinson declared: “I believe in Christmas; I believe in Santa Clause!”  She lives in Tiger Bay with her brother, Antonio, and cousin, Celina. “I love Christmas Carols,” she said. “My ultimate Christmas wish is to go caroling on Christmas night. I wish the very best for everybody; I wish them all I wish for myself. I am very excited about Christmas.”
Samantha Lewis also lives in Tiger Bay, and is cousin to all the others mentioned above. She did not have a very bright outlook for Christmas. “I did not enjoy all the other Christmases before; I am not sure if I will enjoy it this year,” she said. “I never have any of the things I want. This year, my dad promised me a bicycle. If I really get it, I will begin to feel the Christmas spirit and feelings; I will wake up with joy this Christmas. I think this Christmas will be the best Christmas ever.”
Thirteen-year-old Jolene Cozier lives a block away, and has a completely different view about the holidays. “I wish for my life to change; I wish that my parents could live happily. And I wish we could move out of the ‘ghetto’. My other wish for Christmas is to have a cycle because I love riding. My happiest Christmas memory was when my grandmother was alive; she really took good care of me. I got many things I needed. Grandma, mom and I did lots of things together for Christmas; she made me feel very special.”
Her nine-year-old sister, Annetta Johnson, wants lots of stuff. “I would like a book, a cycle, a doll, a doll house and a cooking set. I love Christmas; it is nice. I get to go to Christmas parties. I dance; get presents; and eat a lot of nice things,” the youngster said, adding:
“My best Christmas memory was two years ago; when I woke up, the entire house was beautifully decorated. I got a present from mom, and grandma cooked very nice food. When she was alive, she decorated the house and took care of me. I felt happy with her.”
Alrick Baksh and Indira Samaroo live on Laing Avenue, in the West Ruimveldt area. They have their first baby. For them, Christmas is about family. “We don’t go anywhere; this year, some family members are coming to spend time with us,” said Alrick. “We’ll cook plenty of stuff and have drinks for all. Last year Christmas was not a good one: A very close member of our family died, and it caused everyone to feel very sad.” Alrick hopes to be running his own business next year.  “Christmas 2012 will be much bigger,” he projects. “I’ll give toys to the unfortunate kids, and distribute party bags too.”
With the clock ticking, and Santa busier than ever, it looks as though many little ones will not get their Christmas wishes. Hopefully, some well-heeled Santa helpers will reach out to some of them and make their Christmas dreams and wishes come true.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL GUYANA!! GOD BLESS EVERYBODY!!