Time to Spruce up Your Bahamas Home

The weekend marked what we island people consider the official launch of the holiday season with the annual “Jollification” at the Bahamas National Trust here in Nassau.
Bahamas real estate owners use the season as an opportunity to spruce up their homes. Besides enjoying the jolly atmosphere at the Trust, we scour the stalls for gifts, but often end up instead with delightful art and craft to put in our own homes.
The Retreat, home of the Bahamas National Trust, for two days is transformed into an exciting market full of lovely pieces of art for the home, books for the library and plants for the garden.
Not a mile away, at the former Eastern Road Nassau enclave of the late Robert Nihon, the Canadian real estate magnate, gift hunters arrived in scores to take advantage of an offering of semi-precious stone jewellery, gorgeous pashminas and designer handbags.
Over the next few weeks, there will be a steady stream of art exhibitions and wine tastings. New paintings will go up on walls and prints on canvas of the beautiful Bahamas will be wrapped as gifts.
Wine racks will get stocked with exciting new brands and old favourites.
The weather throughout the Bahamas has been spectacular. The temperatures are holding steady, ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s. The humidity has gone away. And with the dryer weather, the hibiscus and bougainvillea are out in vibrant bloom.
In the evenings, the soft thumping of goatskin drums, ringing cowbells and whistles can be heard in the distance as the Junkanoo groups practice in earnest for the upcoming annual Boxing Day and New Year's Eve parades.
It's a wonderful time for many of us; however, there are those who are less fortunate and are unable to enjoy the season.
Let's remember that this is the season to give; to reach out a helping hand to those in need.
While we enjoy the bounty, let's do what we can to help others – not just now, but on a steady basis.