‘Tis the season for ham, ‘jug jug’ and more of our favourite food in Barbados. The countdown to Christmas is a great time to be on island and enjoy Barbados culture and traditions. In addition to enjoying fantastic Barbadian cuisine, there are a host of holiday activities including local craft fairs, live music performances and more.
Here at Island Villas, our team is already in a festive mood. We have compiled a list of Secret Santa gift ideas – the Caribbean Christmas edition. So, in the words of the calypsonian, Lord Kitchener, singing a song played in every Caribbean household over the Christmas period, “Drink a rum and a punch a crema, drink a rum, is Christmas morning!”
Pour yourself a glass – we highly recommend Mike’s Bajan Ponche Crème (think traditional eggnog with a kick of rum) – and let the Countdown to Christmas start now!
The Island Villas ‘All I want for Christmas’ Gift List
Dear Santa,
We’ve been good all year…well, most of it…ok, for at least a week – never mind!
All we want for Christmas is…
- A stunning luxury villa on the Sugar Hill Estate
Talk about a stocking stuffer! Set on a ridge overlooking Barbados’ West Coast, the Sugar Hill Estate spans over 50 acres. This holiday season give a gift the whole family will love, the 5 bedroom luxury property for sale, Bananaquit. Recently renovated and located in a prime position on the Sugar Hill Estate to maximise privacy, Bananaquit is designed for entertaining – perfect for any holiday parties!
There are 3 bedrooms in the main house and 2 in the detached cottage. This particular property is special as it has spectacular sea views from the entire first floor, where the open plan kitchen, spacious living room and media room are located. The large balcony has been set up for both outdoor dining as well as casual seating overlooking the pool and gardens.
If you purchase this Barbados property for sale in time for the holidays, you can enjoy boxing day brunch on the pool deck, where there is a wet bar and BBQ, steps away from the three ground floor bedrooms.
And, as if this gift couldn’t possibly get any better, new owners of Bananaquit will have access to four floodlit championship tennis courts, the clubhouse, gym and 24/7 security.
This is a gift that keeps on giving and sits at the top of our Santa wishlist!
- A basket of goodies from Clifton Market
Once you settle in your new Barbados property, it’s time for the housewarming. Remember that boxing day brunch poolside at Bananaquit?
There is one thing that you are almost guaranteed to see and smell in every home in Barbados during the holiday season – HAM. Arguments rage over the best honey mustard glaze, or the exact amount of clove needed to give it that distinctive taste. No matter how you bake it, baste it, or slice it, one thing is certain, NOTHING says Christmas in Barbados quite like a freshly baked Bajan ham.
So, when we are getting ready for brunch and planning our menu, the first thing we need is a basket of goodies from Clifton Market. Known for bringing ‘farm to people’, Clifton is known for producing premium meats (e.g. ham, sausage, bacon). The new Clifton Market location at Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown is a full supermarket offering organic items, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as all of your Clifton favourites.
Now we have the food, the rest of the festivities can continue – what’s next on our list?
- A spoon
Yes, you read that right. Did you know that in some cultures wooden spoons have sentimental value and are given as housewarming gifts or for special occasions? Interestingly, wooden spoons have been a symbol of love all over Europe for hundreds of years and, in Zulu culture, wooden spoons are seen as a symbol of hospitality and often used to welcome guests into the home.
That is why a wooden spoon makes our list of gifts for your new holiday home, Bananaquit. Not just any wooden spoon, a special handcrafted piece from Joseph, the artisan behind Jo’s Woodcraft. Using Bajan grown timber Joseph carves each item himself, guaranteeing that no two pieces are the same. Choose from coffee scoops, spatulas, pot spoons and others in mahogany or mango wood. An absolutely beautiful gift that is uniquely Bajan.
4. A signature fragrance for your new home
Someone comes to visit your new home Bananaquit, what is one of the first things you think they will notice?
What is that smell????
Seriously, fragrance is one of the first things people notice when stepping into a home. That is why candles are considered the ideal housewarming gift – and the perfect addition to our gift list. Imagine walking through Bananaquit enjoying scents of the Caribbean, like nutmeg, frangipani, jasmine, or cinnamon.
These scents are perfectly captured in the candles from St. Lucy Botanists, a local, environmentally responsible company built around the concept of botanical science. With names like ‘Rum Punch’, ‘Beach House’ and ‘Sweetie Lady’, each candle is hand poured into artisanal earthenware pots.
- Life is short, eat the CAKE
Finally, this is the season for sweet treats and decadent desserts. We end our Christmas gift list with that in mind – you can’t possibly celebrate the holidays at Bananaquit without dessert!
Imagine Belgian dark chocolate mousse with layers of moist chocolate sponge, or a ‘you better be sitting down before you eat this’ Baileys cheesecake, or a melt in your mouth dark and white chocolate gateau.
These are only some of the Christmas offerings from popular chef, Carsten Flindt this season. Known for his creative desserts, Carsten was behind the 20-year-old Patisserie & Bistro Flindt, now reopened as Flindt Gourmet.
A Flindt cake is special and a great gift that is meant to be shared (wink wink) – tis the season after all!
So Santa, there you have it, all we want for Christmas. And, to make it even easier, any of these items can be organised by the Island Villas Concierge. You don’t even have to lift a finger.
We look forward to seeing you on the beach in Barbados – Happy Holidays!
