Statistically, 2010 has been a better year than 2009 was - meaning that instead of contracting, the economy actually registered some growth. But ask any business person and they'll tell you that sales are down this year - and ask any head of household, and they'll tell you plantain no di eat like rice.
But from that well turned cliché - we inevitably run into another: Christmas bring ih own money.
And that's surely what Andrea Polanco found when she went out on the streets today:….
Andrea Polanco Reporting
It's three more days until Christmas and today down town Belize City was bustling with activity. Vehicles moved slowly as crowds of shoppers from across the country crowded the sidewalks and thronged the stores. So is Christmas 2010 happening?
Interviewee
"Well it is happening because I am pushing myself for it to happen. So I will have a good Christmas."
Interviewee
"Well it is happening for me, last time it wasn't really too bad but this time it is ok so for kids I am trying to make happen for them, because Christmas is for them."
Interviewee
"For me and my family this Christmas is very bright only because right now my eldest daughter is in the hospital. But everything is fine and dandy like tropical brandy."
Andrea Polanco
"So tell me how this Christmas is looking for you?"
Interviewee
"Well good so far, I come all the way from Dangriga and I am out here with my cousin shopping so it looks pretty good."
Although lots of shopping is still going on some of the shoppers said that things are already set in their homes for the holidays:
Interviewee
"Everything done come in, on a whole my house is already dress up."
Andrea Polanco
"So this will be a bright Christmas for you and your family."
Interviewee
"Oh yes, bright, bright, bright."
Andrea Polanco
"That is turkey, ham, Christmas tree, everything?"
Interviewee
"Oh yes I done dress up my house. Everything I done have."
Andrea Polanco
"Toys and everything is waiting under that tree already?"
Interviewee
"Oh yes that is already waiting for my kids."
But others are still out doing last minute shopping and taking advantage of the deals and variety around the city:
Interviewee
"I come from Belmopan and then I am just taking a little shopping here in Belize City."
Andrea Polanco
"So this is for Christmas?"
Interviewee
"Yes this is for Christmas."
Andrea Polanco
"You are stretching those dollars right now?"
Interviewee
"I am stretching the dollars that come from Uncle Sam."
Interviewee
"Yes everybody have discount right now so I take advantage while I can."
Andrea Polanco
"How is the shopping going?"
Interviewee
"Well just one - one thing I am trying to pick up still that I am seeing."
Andrea Polanco
"You come from Cayo to Belize to shop. How are you stretching your dollar?"
Interviewee
"Well so far it is going ok because everything is reasonable."
Andrea Polanco
"So this Christmas is definitely is happening for you and your family?"
Interviewee
"I guess so, everything is going well and Belize is a great place to shop because you have a lot of stores to choose from."
Andrea Polanco
"Everything done at your house right now or you are still in the process of getting everything?"
Interviewee
"Not really I am still doing some last minute shopping."
Andrea Polanco
"But come 24th night presents and everything will be under the tree?"
Interviewee
"Hopefully."
But some shoppers said that all that purchasing was in the name of the family, particularly the kids:
Interviewee
"I come from Orange Walk and what I notice this year before and I guess Christmas for us makes Christmas, Christmas is a special that we have to make it."
Andrea Polanco
"So it looks bright for you and your family?"
Interviewee
"It doesn't matter how it comes but how we take it."
Andrea Polanco
"So you have the money right now to buy your toys and everything for Christmas?"
Interviewee
"Well it's something that we from the beginning of the every year, we know this is a special occasion for the family."
Interviewee
"Trying to stretch our dollars, its hard but we have to make Christmas for the children."
Interviewee
"I am from Chunnox Village in the Corozal District; I am here with the family to buy somethings for Christmas."
Andrea Polanco
"So this Christmas looks like it will be a good one for you and your family?"
Interviewee
"I hope so, maybe this will be the best Christmas with my family."
Andrea Polanco
"You come all the way from San Pedro to Belize City; you come to stretch your dollars for this Christmas?"
Interviewee
"Yes I have to come and stretch my dollars, things here are more reasonable and with the kids and the fixing of the house, that's my fun part of it so I try to come here and there is a more variety of stuff that you can get in this City and we all love shopping for Christmas. I am doing well so far."
But while this year wasn't so easy for everyone, they said that something's gotta give:
Interviewee
"Well I am not having any plans because things are not happening for me, my baby just take a surgery at the hospital and we are not having a bright Christmas."
Andrea Polanco
"First time this is happening?"
Interviewee
"Yeah because hospital bills got me in a setback."
Andrea Polanco
"So no toys? No money is really there for.....?"
Interviewee
"Of course the children will get their toys yes but to say to have money just to spend I don't have it like that."
Interviewee
"Things is kind of tight but we will make it work, I think this is one of the business that I work at one of the slowest year we have seen but we are still doing ok."
In the days leading up to the 25th we'll be bringing you more pre- Christmas stories and if you'd like to share with us- look out for our team in the downtown area.
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