Government Ministers, Opposition MPs as well as mayors will be spending Christmas praying in churches, cooking, visiting new-borns at hospitals and playing with their grandchildren some of whom are new additions to the family circle.
Yesterday, Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon said she would maintain her tradition by going to mass and giving charity to the less fortunate.
“That would be the most important thing for me. After that, I will be heading home to cook for my family and oldest and dearest friends. There are two things that must be on my table for Christmas—spinach and sweet potato pies. I always say my sweet potato pie is the bomb,” Gopee-Scoon boasted.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh intends to visit the Port-of-Spain and Mt Hope Women’s Hospitals to congratulate parents of newborn babies born on Christmas day.
Thereafter, the St Joseph MP said the rest of the day will be spent in the company of family and loved ones.
Tobago East MP and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy will be attending church in Tobago where she will distribute gifts to children.
“I have spent so much time away from my children and husband I just want to be with them on this special day. That is all I want to Christmas,” Webster-Roy said.
Pointe a Pierre MP David Lee said his family would get together at one location where everyone would eat, relax, open gifts and enjoy the company of each other.
Princes Town MP Barry Padarath also plans to go to church and pray.
He said: “I usually spend mass with other parishioners in a church in Princes Town. On Christmas morning the entire family will go to my grandmother’s home in Couva to spend the day, which has become a tradition.”
Though Padarath was robbed by bandits who invaded his grandmother’s residence a few weeks ago, he said they had already beefed up security to enjoy the festive season.
Chaguanas East MP Fazal Karim will focus his attention on a new additon to the family—his five-week-old grandson named Christopher Samuel.
“Christopher is my third grandchild and he is occupying everyone’s time. That is the best Christmas gift we could have asked for. As a matter of fact, Christmas came early for us,” Karim said.
Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial will also spend Christmas cuddling her two-month-old daughter Anuja Vivya Barrath.
“Usually I would travel out of the country for the holidays but we are grounded because of the baby.
“So I will be spending Christmas at home and visiting a few family members.
“It will be pure spoilage and 100 per cent love and attention for my two children who have brought so much joy to my heart.”
Chaguanas mayor Gopaul Boodhan, who admitted to waiting all his life for a grandson, finally had his wish come true eight months ago.
“I finally got my first grandchild so I am just excited to play with him on Christmas morning and to see him open his gifts. This is what I am looking forward to. This is one of my Christmas gifts,” Boodhan said.
Port-of-Spain mayor Joel Martinez will attend church to pray for the capital city and burgesses to have a safe Christmas and a prosperous 2018.
“On Christmas morning I will traverse the city and bring greetings to burgesses. Then it’s home for me to be with my family and to enjoy a nice meal,” he said.