Christmastime traditions with Ward 27 councillor Ernest Smith

CHRISTMAS is a time to unwind from the year’s stresses, a time for family bonding and a time to make special memories with loved ones. It can also be a time for reflection – to think about what positive changes could be made to your life and what negative influences should be removed. Not everyone has the same Christmas traditions, but what makes each person and each family’s Christmas special is that it is unique to them.

Ward 27 councillor Ernest Smith shared what Christmastime is like for him when the work rush takes a pause.

Also read: City in full swing to host a safe and memorable festive season

Q: How do you / your family celebrate Christmas? A lunchtime get-together, volunteer work, a trip to the promenade or a Christmas movie?

A: We celebrate the festive season by bringing family and friends together for Christmas dinner/brunch. Sometimes in other parts of the country.

Q: Do you do gifts? Do you prefer something small, sweet and homemade or do you splurge to spoil your loved ones? Which type of gifts do you prefer to receive?

A: We do give gifts, but as I come from a very practical family, we give items that can be used repeatedly or add some sort of functionality to the household. My mother likes Pyrex dishes and solar lights so I may or may not include that this year – I can’t spoil the surprise!

Q: What are the must-have items on your Christmas table that you can’t go without?

A: This is a difficult one. My mother likes to braai, so I have to make sure we have the essentials for that around. My family is also big on salad, but luckily, a lot of the veggies and fruit are homegrown, so we save on buying a lot of items.

Q: Do you always put a Christmas tree up in your house? Real or plastic? Is the tree up early or packed away late?

A: Sometimes we have decorations, such as a string of small solar lights and the like to give that ‘festive vibe’ but nothing too fancy – Christmas trees can be expensive!

Also read: Christmas decorations light up Durban communities

Q: What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

A: The family/friends coming together and spending some much-needed rest days irritating the hell out of each other. We place special emphasis on together time and nurturing the family bonds which we so often neglect most of the year.

Q: Do you have any special traditions in your family?

A: I come from a religious family so taking them to religious events and the like has been something we have done for many years. Since most of my family are overseas, we have also started video-calling sessions to let them know we miss them and love them immensely. It is difficult being so far from the people we love.

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas song and movie?

A: When my grandparents were still alive, there would be Boney M tapes/CDs on repeat. Occasionally, we still play them, but as for TV, we don’t really watch TV or have one in the family home – we prioritise old-school engagement with minimal use of cellphones.

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