A resident of Antigua and Barbuda, Forsianne Joseph is spreading Christmas cheer and Caribbean love this Christmas, through her creation of a Caribbean Christmas Village. Joseph, a Human Resources consultant and creative explained that the tradition of building decorative Christmas Villages has been around for centuries. While the Internet is inundated with Villages that depict Christmas in the temperate countries, it is rare to find Villages that showcase what Christmas is like in the Caribbean. This was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Caribbean Christmas Village, the other being the building of good and lasting memories with her family.

The Caribbean Christmas Village highlights Caribbean culture and Christmas traditions generally celebrated in the islands, such as house to house carolling, midnight mass or attending church on Christmas Eve, the gathering of families and friends with plenty food and drinks, shopping, and weddings. The Village comes alive especially at night when the decorative lights are switched on and the buildings are lit. It features a harbour with yachts and a cruise ship, palm trees, a sugar mill, along with a mountain range and a farm made by Forsianne.

The Caribbean Christmas Village also depicts traditions that are unique to some Caribbean islands, like the Festival of Lights and Renewal in St Lucia; the Nine Mornings Festival in St Vincent and the Grenadines; Christmas in the Park in Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda; Carols by Candlelight in Grenada, and Carnival in Montserrat and St Kitts and Nevis.

“It is important to include our children in, and educate them about Caribbean Christmas traditions so they can embrace, as well as enjoy the experience. They must also see similar looking people and things in the Village to make it more meaningful. Likewise, the Village provides an avenue for adults to reminisce, while celebrating Christmas,” Joseph said.

The Caribbean Christmas Village can be found on YouTube at www.You-Tube.com/user/forsip.