My perfect Christmas

How much one yearns for those old-time Christmas holidays that were interspersed with everything along the lines of family-building interactions.

Those were the times when different family members converged at their respective original homesteads, not their own in marriage, but with grannies and grandfathers with all siblings and their offspring.

Preparations for Christmas Day would begin a day or two before the big day, with mothers and daughters baking the bucket loads of cakes, and the fathers and boys would ensure there is enough fire-wood and would go an errand to buy a sheep or two for the big day.

Chickens and vegetables would add to the menu. On the eve, it would be the finalization of all preparations and males would be slaughtering the sheep and chickens, and females, some would be baking, others cleaning the insides of the sheep and preparing the meat for the Christmas feast.

One thing that was never missing was home-brewed ginger beer, as the normal fizzy drinks were not such an item with us because we grew up during an era where many areas had no electricity, and ginger beer was ideal for any setting, hot or cold weather and would last well beyond Christmas and New Year.

The big day, normally for us Christians, would begin with a church service at our local church, where every member of the family attended in unison, except for the cooks of the day who would remain behind to ensure that when the rest returned from the church service, lunch was ready.

Christmas Day is also a communal celebration because despite there being enough food in your home, it was traditional to move from house to house, where you were also offered either a meal or cakes with ginger beer and sweets.

As kids, we would eat endlessly and that turned out to be an ideal Christmas which has remained unforgettable.

Such Christmas celebrations and family get-togethers enhanced family unity and growth as even family successes educationally, careerwise and all others spheres were the norm of discussion and correction for anything gone wrong.

Such were the celebrations, either in urban or rural settings, they fitted very well because there is no other befitting moment to gather as a family than Christmas time.

Favourite menu: Lamb meat, chicken, dumpling, rice, vegetables, dessert would be custard, jelly, either canned peaches or pears and quench the thirst with an ice cold ginger beer and lots of cakes.

* In the more modern set-up, one normally enjoys a holiday to Cape Town by train for the whole family, including my grandchildren and my entire children and their families.

Train tours have turned out to be more luxurious than the olden days when the highest standard you’d be allowed into, was second class apartments where you could sleep on those bunks for six people, but younger members you could tuck in two per bed.

The sightseeing on the train and the luxurious dining on the restaurant coach is another amazing experience. On arrival at Cape Town Station the following morning, you’re ushered to your hotel by a shuttle and be ready to explore Cape Town.

The sea cruise, sundowners along the beach, trip to Robben Island and the unforgettable ride on the cage up to Table Mountain will add to your excitement.

Shopping is a whole day’s activity and never miss out on also spending those memorable evenings dining and wining at the renowned V&A Waterfront and watch the sun setting around 20:30 and 21:00.