When it comes to Christmas, the US Virgin Islands are no stranger to festive holiday traditions. For Christmas dinner, the neediest families had traditionally eaten a large bone-in ham. These hams were bought with pennies saved throughout the year and often received as a gift from a neighbor, employer, or shopkeeper. Many Virgin Islands grocery shops would also give out holiday hams to their customers.
Traditions of giving hams at Christmas
Traditions of giving hams at Christmas are not uncommon in the US Virgin Islands. The tradition is very old, but there are some local variations. Some families prefer ham on Christmas Eve while others prefer turkey with dressing. Regardless of the tradition, hams are a traditional part of the Christmas menu.
Although the Christmas season in the US Virgin Islands may be a little different from other parts of the globe, the food traditions are the same. Many people celebrate Christmas by attending midnight mass on December 24th and having a hearty breakfast the day before. For dinner, the main dish is typically a ham or turkey with many side dishes, such as rice and peas, or a seafood dish.
Many Virgin Islands residents celebrate Christmas with ham and foods from their pre-Virgin Islands roots. Deana Mills, a Dominican Republic native, enjoys a traditional Christmas meal that includes fresh meat, trimmings and sweets. On Christmas Day, she always eats a fruitcake. Fruitcake, a type of traditional Caribbean dessert, is another tradition in the US Virgin Islands.
Hams were traditionally given as Christmas gifts to the poorest families. The ham was often purchased with pennies that had been saved over the year and given to someone as a gift. Hams were also traditionally given to shopkeepers and employers as gifts.
The tradition of giving hams at Christmas in the US Virgin Islands is a centuries-old tradition, and it is a tradition that has not died out over the years. Even though the local food culture has changed, this tradition has not. Those who practice it still receive a delicious gift every year.
Inkberry trees
Inkberry trees are a traditional decoration on the US Virgin Islands. These trees grow naturally in the island’s hillside slopes and are decorated at various cultural centers. A lit tree can be spotted at the Whim Great House and Museum on St. Croix, where a display was dedicated to the island’s rich culture. The tree was also displayed at the Old Government House Museum before Hurricane Irma destroyed the islands. The writer documented the Virgin Islands’ Christmas tradition and published it in Christmas cards and a book called Funintun’s Christmas.
In the 1800s, the inkberry tree was harvested for making ink. Today, the tree is a traditional Christmas tree in Antigua, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The tree was not native to the Virgin Islands, but it does thrive in the island’s rocky soil and can reach up to 20 feet in height. It has thorns for decoration, and the branches can be used in Christmas celebrations as a tree.
The tradition started in the 1960s when islanders from the U.S. mainland arrived on the islands to celebrate the holiday. They started collecting inkberry trees (or the brown dried stalks of an agave, or century plant) and embellishing them with gold paint, candies, and other goodies. It was a time when inkberry trees were not readily available on the island and a century plant was considered a more sustainable alternative.
Another popular Christmas decoration in the US Virgin Islands is the inkberry plant. The inkberry plant is found in the forest, while the agave grows in the arid eastern part. The century plant stalks can be propped up in rock-filled containers, and decorated with crepe paper, fabric or small pieces candy by locals. Some spray paint the stalks with gold.
Century plants
The US Virgin Islands are home to the century plant, a tall succulent that survives in dry climates. Unlike other plants, it blooms only once every 100 years. According to botanists, the plant blooms more often in northern climates. During the early summer, this plant blooms and produces massive clusters of yellow flowers, bringing joy to bees, beetles, and beholders.
Sal and Delores Sgambati are the owners of the century-plant. They live in Capeside near Snow’s Cut Bridge. The century plant is a member of the agave family and can grow to 30 feet tall. The thorny nature of the century plant means that they are difficult to grow in gardens or homes.
Christmas dining table
There are many ways to decorate your home during the Christmas holidays. You can use candles and other festive elements to create a festive environment. You should avoid pre-made centerpieces as they can ruin the fun of creating a festive atmosphere. To make the festive setting even better, use Christmas greenery.
Using colorful ornaments and other festive accents is another great way to make your house feel festive. Christmas dinner in the US Virgin Islands traditionally begins with a large bone-in turkey that has been purchased using pennies that have been saved throughout the year. The ham is then given as a gift to a neighbor, employer or shopkeeper to help those in need. Some local grocers will even give hams to customers.
