COVER GROCERY $30K OF GROCERIES TO BE WON! PURCHASE ANY 2 SPECIALLY MARKED PRODUCTS TO WIN! 1-23 DECEMBER SCAN TO WIN VIST FOSTERS.KY/JOLLY FOR MORE IFCChristmas Wishes 2023 1 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023 MERRY CHRISTMAS Driving around to view holiday lights and magical displays is a long-held tradition in Cayman as friends and family get together to take in the sights and sounds of the season. Many roundabouts are festooned in twinkling lights and magnifi cent displays. Commercial properties get into the holiday spirit by setting offi ce buildings, shopping complexes and hotels aglow with festive lighting and themed exhibits. Among the must-see holiday attractions are the stunning lights and animated displays at the Crighton family home in Red Bay, the dazzling grounds of the Bodden residence in South Sound and the magical setting at Camana Bay.Christmas Wishes 2023 2 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023 You can have 5 chances to win up to $4,000 Christmas cash when you get a NO FEE loan with RBC! A bank for all of you Learn more at rbc.com/caribbean/christmascash ®/™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. Limited time offer ending December 15, 2023. Subject to normal lending criteria. Special conditions apply. The cost of borrowing will be made available upon application.Christmas Wishes 2023 3 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023Christmas Wishes 2023 4 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023 Compass Centre, 319 Shedden Road, George Town, PO Box 1365, Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands. Christmas Wishes Editor Laura Munyard Durston Contributing writers Laura Munyard Durston Jenny Gabruch Catherine MacGillivray Graphic Design (editorial) Beth Ormerod - outside contractor Graphic Design (advertisements) Alex Angel Taneos Ramsay Head of Sales Cheryl Birch-Gillies Account Executives Kate Knox Cindy Oostvogels Brenda Rubes Eric Vincent P1 P6 P8 P14 P16 P18 P21 P32 P34 P36 Contents Merry Christmas A sparkling time to mark the season. Celebrate Cayman Christmas traditions Must-do and must-see highlights around-island. Christmas calendar Save the dates for festive fun. Christmas camps for kids Keep the little ones amused this Yuletide. Here comes Father Christmas Places to see Santa this year. Caribbean Christmas Pumpkin A vegan alternative for festive feasts. Christmas gift guide Presents to suit all budgets from local stores. Santa Claus is running to town Work off those festive pounds for a good cause. Help make spirits shine Become a Santa for Seniors with Meals on Wheels. Christmas movie classics Films sure to make you feel festive.Christmas Wishes 2023 5 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023Christmas Wishes 2023 6 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 20237 Christmas Wishes 2023 FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023 From dazzling tree lighting ceremonies to holiday carolling to sparkling lights displays, Christmas is always a special time of year in Cayman, with many time-honoured traditions and festivities. HOLIDAY LIGHTS Christmas lights up on-island, with homes and tropical gardens decked out in holiday décor. Driving around to view the holiday lights and magical displays is a long-held island tradition. A tried-and-true favourite is the Bodden residence in South Sound, located across from Sunset House. A family tradition for decades, the spectacular display lights up the Caribbean night, with the Bodden sisters, Maxine and Maureen, creating an enchanting Christmas showcase. Another holiday showstopper is the Crighton family home in Red Bay, which draws thousands of visitors each season. The expansive grounds are transformed into an enchanted Christmas wonderland featuring a magical showcase of animated displays, decorations, colourful lighting and music of the season. O’ TANNENBAUM Christmas tree celebrations are a popular way to kick off the holiday season in Cayman. The Christmas tree at Camana Bay towers majestically by the harbour on The Crescent. It’s part of the magical setting at Camana Bay, with the Town Centre set aglow with thousands of lights and larger-than-life decorations. Inspiring musical performances, holiday craft markets and special appearances by Father Christmas take place throughout the festive season. A long-standing tradition is the annual tree lighting celebrations in downtown George Town hosted by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, held in early December – a tradition that began more than 50 years ago. The dazzling tree lights up in Heroes Square, helping holiday shoppers get into the spirit of the season. Christmas at Celebrations is another magical tradition in Cayman. Its Enchanted Christmas Store features an array of beautifully decorated Christmas trees dressed around a theme, spanning from whimsical to traditional to contemporary. The Enchanted Christmas Store features new and exclusive collections each year, making it a highly anticipated holiday happening for those looking for ideas and inspiration. SEASONAL SONGS Christmas concerts are a big tradition on-island, and there are plenty of musical showcases held throughout the season. Churches organise special Christmas services and concerts, a tradition that featured prominently in old-time Cayman – as it does today. In days past, groups of revellers would stroll door-to-door serenading with carols and popular songs of the day. Today, that custom continues as members of the Red Bay Church of God Holiness get together on Christmas Eve and travel throughout the island on a decorated flatbed truck singing carols and spreading holiday cheer. CELEBRATE Cayman Christmas TRADITIONSNext >