Turning A Haad Time into a Merry Christmas

It’s not unusual for some families to struggle to make their Christmas merry and bright this time of year. Thankfully, it’s also common for businesses and kind-hearted individuals to step up, offering a little extra or knocking a bit off the price to help. In today’s edition of Haad Time Krismus, we look at how shoppers are stretching their budgets and how a few businesses are offering discounts to help you get those much-anticipated Christmas gifts. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Finding the cash to buy everything we want for Christmas is often more of a dream than a reality. Most people must stretch their money to make sure they can get a gift for everyone in the household, or to buy a needed appliance, cake ingredients, or even groceries. We caught up with Brad Steadman, better known as “The Artist,” at Outlet Belize next to Brodies on Albert Street, where he was hunting for the best deals on shoes for himself and his son.

 

Brad Steadman, Christmas Shopper

“ I don’t have no money, as you could see. I don’t really have money. I da nuh wa rich person or anything. I mean, I can’t celebrate Christmas. I only could look pahn it.  My number, 664 5114 I do all kind of sign painting. I even do stone works.”

 

The manager of the store, Riya Udasi told News Five that their prices cater to anyone like the Artist who is looking for a deal.

 

Riya Udasi, Manager, Outlet Belize

“We’re selling good deals to the customers because everywhere we’re seeing it’s very expensive prices raise up after Corona, so we are giving good prices to customers.”

 

Marion Ali

“ Let’s say I walk in with not much money, maybe $30. Can you put together something for me for a gift for 30?”

 

Riya Udasi

“You could buy this Bath and Body spray or lotion, anything. Everywhere selling very expensive, but we are selling only $20 each, so you could buy at least one. And we have some treats, $20. You could put that with something else. Yeah, you could put like a T-shirt, $10, we have for $20, for $15, cheap things we are selling and good. We have O.P tennis, we have many more styles. So many for girls, women, and ladies are selling for only $25. No where you’ll find these prices.”

 

Georgia Ferguson was out finishing her Christmas shopping already.

 

Georgia Ferguson, Christmas Shopper

“I just come pick up some bed sheets and then that’s it for the end of that Christmas. I done do my Christmas shopping, so I good.”

 

For those looking to whip up a traditional Christmas fruit and black cake but finding their budget a bit tight, there’s good news! Beulah Sikaffy, co-owner of Sikaffy’s Store, announced that they’re offering a discount equivalent to the government’s GST tax break on weekdays from now until Christmas Eve. These little extra savings can help make your holiday baking dreams come true without breaking the bank.

 

Beulah Sikaffy, Co-owner, Sikaffy’s Store

“We give you wa lee discount. We wa give you wa discount, so people can afford it.”

 

Marion Ali

“GST included too?”

 

Beulah Sikaffy

“Well, GST da weekends, right, but if somebody can’t afford it, we could take out the GST for them to man.”

 

Marion Ali

“During the week?”

 

Beulah Sikaffy

“Discount, yeah.”

 

Marion Ali

“Okay, so what if I come and say, “You know what, Miss Beulah, I nuh have thirty-two dollars for this pack of nuts.”

 

Beulah Sikaffy

“Well, we could take off the GST offa it.  If somebody come in and they really, they got a hard time, we incorporate with them.  We appreciate wi customers, you know. Christmas da Christmas. You have to give a little.”

 

Over at HK Fashions in the Downtown Plaza, we met Krishika Azrani and her mom at the store. Krishika mentioned that if you can’t pay the full amount today, you can make a down payment and settle the balance by Christmas. This flexible option makes it easier for everyone to get what they need for the holidays without the stress of paying all at once.

 

Krishika Azrani, Daughter of Owner, HK Fashions

“We do layaway, so you could just like we also do discounts. If the thing is $40 and you only have $38, we could give it to you. We do layaway too, so you could just put like $20 and we’ll just keep it aside for you so no one else buys it.”

 

Lastly, we met Jemar Bennett, a regular Belizean who reminded us of what the true meaning of Christmas is, especially for people who are having a hard time.

 

Jemar Bennett, Christmas Shopper

“Me and my wife, we don’t start getting blessed from the beginning of the year. And, the beginning of December, God bless us even better, and I thank God for it.  The 25th of December when Christmas, we will try to help who don’t have enough to help their family. Well, we will try to give food, or we will try to give a little donation. Try to give a little hamburger, a little present to the baby there, the baby that we don’t have. You know, and that’s why we try to tell all that we Belizeans, we have to start to look out for each other. And stop the force of fight and the kill of each other.”

 

Marion Ali for News Five.