‘Tis the season of gifts

BY: KATHY MCDONALD 

Let’s us face it, Christmas has morphed into the Holiday Season for many and the true meaning of Christmas has been lost on us today. As our society gets more and more multicultural, we also have many other competing interests for the “Holiday Season”. It is the time of year when consumerism is at its peak. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends will be frantically searching for yet another gift. I would encourage everyone to pause and really reflect about the why and what of gift giving. I would wholeheartedly like to suggest that before we purchase a gift, we truly take the time to think about culturally responsive books and toys that will serve not satisfy the need for a gift but will serve to enhance a child’s life.

In my humble opinion, it’s important to take some time for yourself to rejuvenate and reset. The importance of having a mentally healthy lifestyle cannot be overemphasized. We often, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with all its obligations, go back from this break stressed out. Stress and holidays seem like an oxymoron. Well, at least it should be. I would suggest some good old-fashioned rest and family time. Meaningful family time. Why not disconnect from cyberspace and reconnect as a family. Play some good old-fashioned board games. You would be astonished by how much joy both the kids and yourself can derive from such an activity.

I was reading a magazine from a popular store and they commented on a new phenomenon that’s invading cities near you…Game Board Cafés. What a concept. People playing, interacting and laughing with each other face to face not interface to interface. Have you seriously examined the board game market? There is such an eclectic mix of new and old treasured favourites that are available. I was amazed at the number of educational games that are fun, captivating and actually effective in teaching kids many mathematical and literacy skills. The best part about these games they are actually fun. What a great way to connect with your teenager. Just try it!  You may be surprised by just how much fun they have with you. The importance of spending quality time with your children cannot be highlighted enough. Believe me when I use this cliché, time really does fly. One moment your pregnant and the next you have a third-year university student living on his own.

There is a precious gem located in the heart of Brampton, called Knowledge Bookstore. This breathtaking bibliophile’s paradise is located at 177 Queen Street West in Brampton. Sean and Carolet, a husband and wife team, are very welcoming, engaging and knowledgeable about black and Caribbean history. Pun intended. They will thoughtfully guide you through their store as you search for age-appropriate and culturally relevant books, dolls, action figures, artwork, Christmas items, Kwanza related products, figurines, and giftware.

We live in a society where we are often bombarded by the negative images of the black, African and Caribbean communities. The is a perfect sanctuary to arm young children with the tools necessary to build their self-esteem. What better gift than giving a young child the opportunity to see the serves as the wonderful creations that they are. Imagine giving a child the opportunity to dream. Think of the possibilities when they are exposed to books that honestly recant the history of black, African and Caribbean people. What! we are not the illiterate immigrants or the gangsters that the mainstream media often portrays us as? What a relief.

Do you have any idea the effect on young children when they are constantly bombarded with negative images of themselves? Just read The Willie Lynch Letter and The Making of a Slave, published by Lushena Books. By the way, it’s available at Knowledge Bookstore. Think about the antithesis; children exposed to the endless possibilities, children that see illustrations which encourage them to dream, a black young girl swirling a conical flask in a lab or a little black boy soaring to the moon in a spaceship.

When we are giving children dolls or action figure do we really stop to think about what message we are sending to them? Young children often idolize these dolls and dream and aspire to look like them. So why do we often relegate the Caucasian version of humanity as the gift of choice?

In fact, the weekend of December 15th Knowledge Bookstore will have their annual Christmas Market. In the absence of flying back to the Caribbean or Africa, it’s the closest you will get to an authentic Caribbean Christmas or American Kwanzaa celebration. You can call 905-459-9875 for more details. I would encourage all to attend. There are samples of sorrel, ginger beer, black cake (Christmas fruit cake), ham, smoked turkey, pastille you name it they have it. The sounds, the sights, and the smell will delight all the senses. This is a great opportunity to expose your children to their heritage and culture. Carpe diem, seize the day. So, journey with me as we strive to enhance a child’s educational experience over the Christmas, Kwanzaa or holiday season. Walk Good! Belle Marché.