A core childhood memory for many Jamaicans is gathering around as family members rummage through barrels that were shipped by loved ones living overseas, usually just in time for Christmas.
The joy of receiving packages from ‘foreign’ trailed us into adulthood which leaves us with one admission, as Jamaicans, we love tings.
While we are usually grateful for whatever we are blessed with, there are a few items that we not only expect to see, but can all admit that without them, the barrel jus’ nuh mek nuh sense.
These are they:
Disclaimers: This list is not exhaustive, in any order, nor meant to disregard the efforts of the senders.
1. Irish Spring Soap
If I open that parcel and the first scent that hits me isn’t the pungent aroma of the popular nostril-burning, overly sweet bath soap then I’m shipping it back. It is simple. You cannot reasonably pack and send a container to Jamaica without popping in a few packs of the highly anticipated delicacy, even if only to ‘sweet up the
barrel’.
2. Tin Food
By this, I mean tins of mackerel, sardine, sausage, tuna, sweet corn, and the likes. By this I do not mean, I repeat… I DO NOT mean Campbells Tomato Soup or any other canned soup for that matter. No broth, chowder, gumbo or whatever other names it is called by… Jamaicans don’t want it. I promise you; they will stay on the shelf until 3 years post expiry! Please, utilize the barrels space wisely, abeg!
3. Macaroni and Cheese
We expect it. Boxes of it too. And we want KRAFT.
4. Condiments
Pack us the ketchup, the mayo, and the mustard. You may hold on to the relish… we have nothing against it but let’s just say, if there is any additional space in the barrel, we’d rather you throw in two more Irish spring soaps.
5. Dried food (flour, rice, pasta, nuts…)
Even up to three-months post sorting, Jamaicans expect to still have rice and flour they got from the barrel. Stock us up on the dry goods, don’t worry about the ‘weeble’ (weevil). We nuh fraid fi sieve and use den bless and eat.
6. Tea bag
Hello, Lipton. This is the only time we almost forget our Caribbean culture and give up the ginger and the peppermint to tap into our British roots. Once tea is coming, it must be Lipton… coupled with some good ol’ Swiss Miss, you can’t go wrong!
7. School supplies
No matter what time of year di barrel reach, Jamaicans are expecting to see the usual back-to-school items. When pickney guh school, classmates and teachers must realize seh ‘barrel come’.
8. Bedding and curtain sets
Christmas a come and this is the llama that we want so please, mek the Christmas ketch we in a good mood… send the sheets.
9. ‘Name-brand’ shoes
If even two pairs, the uncles want to ‘braff’. But please memba fi pop off the tag and walk roun’ the yard in it two times suh customs think a wear and leff (hand-me-downs) we getting.
10. Devices
Don’t you dare send these expensive items in the barrel. We don’t have the money to clear it and as such, please refrain.
Okay, so by now, I believe customs have stopped reading.
Take the phones and tablets out their packages and stuff them in the shoes you’re sending the uncles. Pad these with the sheets and curtains for an extra layer of protection. You’ve got this!
Before we wrap up, just another word of unsolicited advice, the days of sending carboard barrel
dun! Please invest in the plastic ones which allow for proper repurposing. I thank you.
Thanks for reading!
Walk Good.
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