Christmas is two days away and while most Belizeans have made their
lists – they probably aren’t checking it twice. Instead, they are
probably checking their wallets because – unless you’ve been under
a rock somewhere – you’ll know that we are in a recession. So to
find out how the recession is affecting the season we hit the Alberts this afternoon
– to ask that old favourite, how di Christmas di come? We found out that,
as always, it brings its own money.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This afternoon downtown Belize City was busy – teeming with Christmas
shoppers filling stores and walking out of stores with filled bags. These shoppers
say times are hard but they are making do with what they have.
Shopper #1,
“Its exciting, the rush, trying to get the last Christmas shopping
in. You’re feeling it yes, the prices are up, the toys and everything
are expensive. You just try to work around that, if you were going to buy three
gifts you maybe just cut down and buy one but it is for the kids.”
Shopper #2,
“Christmas is not all about gifts or what we can buy or what
we can afford. It is about sharing the love and our Christmas at home once we
have the love the recession won’t bother us any at all.”
Niall Gillett, Shopper
“It is definitely affecting the Christmas but I guess it depends on
how you look at it. You want to make sure that you keep the real meaning for
the season and then everything will go fine.”
Shopper #3,
“My Christmas is coming okay…I haven’t started to really
shopping yet. It is not affecting us much. My mom has all the money.”
Shopper #4,
“I hear there is a recession but the way people shopping you wouldn’t
tell.”
Shopper #5,
“Its coming fine. I was living in America for years and I retired
and came back home. I saved my money and so I am not feeling it thank God but
I am helping a lot of people. I gave Salvation Army $100 every year to buy Christmas
dinner.”
Shopper #6,
“Its going great, can’t complain.”
Shopper #7,
“Bad right because I have 5 children for this boy from San Ignacio
and he is trying to take away the house and land and dah me build the house
and so now I have to come for help. I can’t cook or nothing for Christmas
because now I have to fight for my children to rest their head.”
Malania Cayetano, Shopper
“Too many bills, too little money and all the problems that come along
with it. If it comes along it does and if it doesn’t it doesn’t.
I remember once upon a time Christmas does be from after 19th people does have
the Christmas spirit but now it is three days before Christmas and the spirit
hasn’t touched me yet. It is just extremely tight.”
Popular fruit vendor Jerry is also singing the Christmas blues.
Jerry, Fruit Vendor
“As a businessman right now business really slow. I hope it picks
up in the next two days. I am not seeing it like last Christmas before. To be
truthful people usually pick up fruits on the last day but sales still used
to be better from about the 21st and the 22nd and you’re not seeing it
this year.”
Mikado owner Umesh Mahitani was a little bit more upbeat.
Umesh Mahitani, Owner - Mikado’s Store
“The Christmas is okay. It has not been the best year but it’s
a good year.”
Keith Swift,
“Are people buying less or are there less people buying?”
Umesh Mahitani,
“People are spending less. They are buying the cheaper range of stuff.”
Keith Swift,
“Do you think you’ll meet your target?”
Umesh Mahitani,
“Definitely not, not in the next few days.”
Keith Swift,
“You disappointed?”
Umesh Mahitani,
“We still in business so we’ll carry on to next year. We hope
for a better next year.”
For you late shoppers the downtown plaza will be open until 10 on Christmas
Eve. Mikado will close at 8 on Christmas Eve.
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