In the heart of the northern areas, Christmas traditions remain a cornerstone of community life, blending timeless customs with evolving practices.
From the cherished “Krismisklere” — new clothes for the festive season — to bountiful feasts and spirited church gatherings, families honour traditions passed down through generations while embracing the season’s enduring message of togetherness and generosity.
Families still gather for church services, either on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
Planning for Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations starts in January with registering for hampers of meat, luxury items and groceries with various agents.
“Filling a Shoprite book with stamps has been our go-to for years now,” Margaret Prins, from Bloemendal, said.
“Having been done in by an agent for a hamper club years ago taught me a valuable lesson to not trust strangers with big amounts of money for essentials.
“At the end of November, we started using our stamps to purchase toiletries and groceries that would last us for at least three months.”
She said that not receiving a bonus from her employer forces her to plan way in advance for them to enjoy a stress-free festive season.
A tradition in the northern areas is visiting the graves of loved ones.
Ruby Leibrandt, from Gelvan Park, reminisced about her childhood in Salisbury Park, where gammon was unheard of for Christmas lunch.
“We enjoyed roast chicken, cabbage and carrots, sweet potatoes, and trifle was a must. That was the best for us.
“As an adult, I bought dresses for myself and my daughters to wear on Christmas Day.
“As I grew older, I decided to only have a braai when Christmas Day was not on a Sunday.
“Years later, I decided to prepare all the meat and salads again even if Christmas fell on a different day than on a Sunday.”
Leibrandt believes in sharing what she has with others on Christmas Day.
“I invite differently-abled children and their mothers to my house to treat them on Christmas Day. Every year, I invite people from Oceanview close to Malabar as well.”
Carl Alexander, whose father Desmond passed away in October, fondly remembers looking forward to Christmas as a child.
“Our extended family enjoyed the day at different homes each year.
“Everyone would bring the food they prepared, and we enjoyed it together.
“There were different types of meat, veggies, chicken, and everyone’s favourite: the roast potato.”
For Alexander, it was an extra special time because he and two of his cousins have birthdays in December.
They would celebrate their birthdays and Christmas together. However, he said, Covid-19 changed everything.
“Family lunch on Christmas Day is not the same any more. People opt to spend the day at their homes.
“There is still the meat and snacks, but it has changed.
“This will be our first Christmas without my dad. We will miss him dearly,” Alexander said.
HeraldLIVE
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