How entrepreneurs are contributing to a Guyanese Christmas
CHRISTMAS is more than a holiday or time of year. Christmas is a celebration and, in Guyana, the people have crafted a unique culture. As we enter into December every year, Guyanese everywhere begin their Christmas cleaning, followed by decorations not complete without some new blinds and chair backs for the older folks.
As the years went on, Christmas in Guyana changed to involve more than the usual traditions. The Pepperpot Magazine reached out to a few small businesses whose products add their own unique touch to Christmas, both traditional and new.
The gift that keeps on giving
Owned by artist and broadcaster Natasha Azeez, Customised Creations is a business that brings a creative flare to the mix of branding and crafting. With the creation of customisable Christmas decorations, Natasha is dedicated to making something that is unique.
Natasha has created various designs that are made unique by what each customer adds to their individual piece. Inspiration for the designs comes at any time, says Natasha. “The thing is with artists, we get inspiration at two or three o clock in the morning. When the world is sleeping, our brain is at work and something may spark. What else can I customise? What else will people like or will it be affordable?” She shared.
Natasha has put much time, energy and resources into her business and the products she creates. She goes to great lengths to ensure every piece is of high quality, ensuring customer satisfaction. “Nowhere in Guyana had the blank Christmas balls. What I had to do is search of it online and import it into Guyana. Also, I had to get the appropriate materials,” Natasha stated.
After searching, researching and importing everything needed, Natasha makes a sample for each new design and begins marketing them online. From then on, Natasha worked with customers to create what they wanted as a memento of the holidays. Natasha shared, “For a Christmas, for example, maybe it is there for Christmas as a family. It is a momentous occasion and they may want to take a family photo and want to put the name of everyone on the Christmas ball. We will work with you in terms of the photo, layout and design.”
To have something that is made uniquely for you, with the names and photos of your loved ones to have as a part of your holiday season as a memory, is what Customised Creations aims to give to its customers. As Natasha shared that, “We add that touch to your family in that every year you can use it, our products and add to it. It is the essence of Christmas and sharing moments. It is amazing when you wake up and you can look at your tree and see your photo with your name part of the tree.”
Self-care for Christmas
Iconic by K pushes the importance of self-care this holiday season with its line of luxury loungewear and self-care products. “I wanted to bring something different to the market; something with better quality and better packing,” said the woman behind Iconic by K Akeisha Ayanna.
Begining in March of 2020, Akeisha started out with the vision of creating products that would offer high-quality luxury self-care items at an affordable cost. And what better time to pamper one’s self than at Christmas. “I started the business out of necessity because of what was going on and it blossomed,” Akeisha shared. With everything from satin pillowcases to velvet robes, Iconic by K was created to offer their customers a spa experience in the comfort of their own homes.
This Christmas, Akeisha and Iconic by K aim to provide their customers with gifts that are good for someone else but perfect for themselves. Akeisha stated, “When it comes to Christmas, loungewear items are important, especially with the robes. You want to treat yourself for ten holidays. And I think my brand prioritises self-care.”
A personalised crocheted touch
From Christmas decorations to the famed chair backs, Rosalie Seepaul can crochet just about anything. She has put her skills into her business, Craftastic by Dakkl. “I can crochet anything as long as I have a vision of it. I have been crocheting since I was eight years old,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine. Now, more than forty years later, Rosalie opened her business just five years ago and has seen it blossom.
Rosalie has years of experience in crocheting and has made almost everything with yarn. But Christmas is a unique time for her. As the orders roll in, Rosalie has to get creative to bring her customers’ visions to life. She shared that, “For Christmas, I make Christmas tree ornaments. I have made Mrs Claus outfits before, and I mostly do custom orders, so once someone has an idea, I bring it to life.”
As someone who enjoys a Guyanese Christmas herself, Rosalie still receives orders for chair backs. The interesting price of Guyanese decor has long since been a part of Christmas, and Rosalie says she does not know where it originated from, but it is still requested every year. “Only the older people are still interested in chair backs. And now I still do chair back for family and friends,” she stated.
As intricate as it is, Rosalie enjoys the individuality of each crochet piece. She said, “Crochet is unique. Even if two people order the same thing from me, I have never been able to have the exact same colour combinations and the same flower combination. Crochet has a personalised touch.”
So whether you are interested in decorations made and personalised for the family, a hand-crocheted piece or pampering yourself this holiday season, entrepreneurs across Guyana have got you covered. Being authentically Guyanese is what these businesswomen value and bring to their products.
