IT IS written in stone (at least in my grandmother's house) that we spring clean at Christmas (Christmas clean my friend says) Whatever!

The point is, you MUST clean everything ­ including the china and silverware you'll never use. This is the time when you have friends, family and, God forbids, the Joneses over. And you know how critical they can be.

You have the yard to clean, walls to paint, the furniture to polish (properly this time), curtains to buy (or if you were my grandmother, you'd have been smart and put up the ones you used last year). Same goes for your spread. Yes, the one you only put on the bed and not really use. Yep. Get them out. You'll need all of these for the grand holiday. It's Christmas!

The children. We love them, but either they're helping or they are at Grandma's. This is one time to get the men in the family to help. They need to cut the grass and clean up the yard. You'll want to start by cleaning the walls that may have got dirty (with crayons if you have children or husbands) then repainting the walls, perhaps in another colour if you have been using the same old colour year after year. And for crying out loud, cover the furniture.

The cleaning might not get done in one day, especially if you have little help, but the key is to be organised. Are you cleaning from the inside out or from the outside in? Whatever works for you. If there is a big family, just split the jobs among members and ensure that each gets his/hers done properly. Remember, if you have nothing else for Christmas, you must at least have a clean house.

YOU WASH the cream from your face, throw on your best summer wear for the warm night, put on a dressy pair of slippers and hit the streets with your shopping money. Where are you headed? Chances are you are off to Grand Market, a Caribbean tradition that continues to flourish ­ though in a different form from first.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Jamaican men and women would take to streets and stores bustling with every able bodied man woman and child ­ the day before Christmas.

The objective was not so much to get those last minute items for dinner and the home, but also to see and be seen. So everyone was dressed in their best and brightest colours.

Today, hundreds of Jamaicans take to the streets on Christmas Eve with money in their pockets for last-minute goods, gifts and ice-cream. If you are one of them, please note that pickpockets are also out in force at this time. Be also aware that if you have left the bulk of your buying for Christmas day to this frenetic hour, you may be in trouble. Last-minute shopping almost always results in impulse purchases, leaving many broke for the New Year.

Here are some guidelines, which, for your peace of mind, you may need to follow:

SHOPPING FOR Christmas gifts should not just be an expected chore but should be a fun-filled experience. "It's the thought that matters ­ not the size or cost of the gift" ­ should be the motivation behind all purchases.

The gift should be selected for the individual or persons who will receive it based on either needs or their personal gifts should have personal appeal ­ or should be useful and practical. Obviously, one's budget is a major factor.

Gift Locations

Decorators Corner - Hillcrest Avenue

Devon House Shops

Orchid Patch Shops - Barbican

Sovereign Shopping Centre

Azans Super Centre - Springs

Plan your shopping

Make a list and try to avoid the rush by shopping as early as possible. It's more fun when it's not stressful!

ACCORDING TO Ruby Martin, philanthropist and social worker, the family dinner is one of the most important events at Christmas, adding that the most important element is the family. We know you go all out for the Christmas dinner and with all the things you believe you MUST have, you might just go overboard.

Mrs. Martin says for a late Christmas dinner, there are some items that you might need: You would want the ham, turkey, the nice stuffing, not forgetting the sorrel and vegetable to eat sensibly. Wild rice is quite lovely for such an occasion to get away from the regular rice. The health conscious can choose to have brown rice.

Tossed salad is also simple and the popular fried plantain can enhance the meal. If you are weight conscious then you can pop the plantain in the microwave for about 10 minutes instead of frying it. Those who can't afford turkey and ham can always do baked chicken, roast chicken and barbecued chicken. Pot roast is another option ­ some people might not want feathers, Mrs. Martin says. Roast pork may be another option as well and don't forget the candied sweet potatoes. The vegetable is important ­ tomatoes are good in giving colour especially when your vegetable dish is mostly green.

"These days you can have either red and white wine with any meal. Traditionally, it was white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat," she tells Outlook. Non-alcoholic wine, sweet wine and dry wine could also be used ­ it is a matter of taste. But, shop wisely and stay within your budget. "Nothing is wrong with sorrel and home made Ginger beer." For dessert, there is the must have Christmas cake and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Some prefer to buy it, others like to bake it ­ no matter what, you must have it.

Cookies for the children is always the way to go. In fact it is a way to get them to help in the kitchen.

At Christmas many persons prefer to use gungo peas for their rice and peas dish - gungo can cost a fortune around this time so you can also skip that and use seasoned rice instead. Of course not with the saltfish, but with vegetable, corn, peas and other vegetables which can be quite tasty.

For those of you who wish to hire caterers, fine, but according to Mrs. Martin, "It is the nicest thing when you do it yourself and the people enjoy it."

The cocktail

NOW, PARTIES are always fun ways to celebrate with family and friends. Parties will vary, depending on crowd, the cost and the number of persons. If you're throwing a cocktail party, well then, you have to go all out. Assuming that you have the dough, you'll need professionals. You know, decorators and caterers. The decor is important according to Carlene Ashley of Creative House. "You want to create the WOW factor," she says. The ambience and the food make the party. You need to see the decorator's portfolio, each has his/her own style.

"If you have a fantastic driveway you might want to decorate it with torches or a cheaper alternative is to use candles in brown paper bag set in the sand." The season calls for light and glitter, so work the lights, but tastefully. Lights should not be too much or blinking.

For the table, a simplistic arrangement such as candles with a mirror behind them can be the thing that makes the decor different.

Caterers MUST come highly recommended. They usually have warmers, but if they don't make sure what is being served can be enjoyed both hot or cold.

For the menu, remember dishes must complement each other, and wine should complement the meal. For the cocktail, you'll try to have foods that are not everyday foods, or everyday foods with a twist. Another important point is that half of the appeal of food is the presentation.

You want to use foods that are easy to eat. Foods which are too spicy, especially those with lots of onion, and garlic are not recommended, since persons might become conscious of their breath and reluctant to carry on a conversation.

What is a cocktail party without interesting conversation? Not very good.

"The success of any party depends largely on the style and personality of the hostess." (Amy Vanderbilt, Complete Book of Etiquette)

So the hostess needs to have a certain flair, an inviting personality and flexibility. It is the job of the host/hostess to ensure that guests are occupied. And you can't spend too much time with one person or group. You want to be elegant and well groomed, but not in a too showy fashion.

When inviting, you might want to ask people you don't see every day, everyone wants to be at a 'who's who party', although you should NEVER use that to get persons to come. In fact, you should not name the other guests unless the invitee asks (which is considered rude). Inviting people from different career backgrounds can be interesting, people will have something different to share.

Ditching Martha Stewart for your party.

This is where the fun begins. No one is trying to impress anyone: we're just going to hang out, eat, and have fun. This is the party where you invite your close friends and family. It's a lime party. That doesn't mean you mustn't try to make the atmosphere pleasant and inviting. That always helps. Of course you can't afford the caterers, nor the decorators - so you will either have to do it yourself or call on your trusty friends to assist. You know your friends, you know who can cook and who can decorate, you also know who has the vibe and the sounds that will keep your party pumping. Utilise them, that's what friends are for.

Not forgetting it's Christmas, you need to have the lights. A night barbecue is a good idea, especially when you are doing it yourself, says Mrs. Ashley. There's nothing like the smell of chicken on a grill while your friends relax with a beer or other beverage. You also know what they will enjoy, so you have to plan the menu based on that. You must buy food that is affordable, food that will stretch and of course, food that's tasty.

Your friends are going to stay longer at the party so you will have to ensure that they are entertained. Games are a good thing. Bring them. Invite your friends to bring a game, a bottle of spirits. Consider that all your friends might not know each other, so ensure that you have icebreakers. Games such as Uno, Pictionary, Gestures, Jenga, Truth or Dare, scrabble, dominoes will work for the party. Keep the entertainment going.

You must create a festive feel. It's Christmas. Play a game which ensure that people have to get up and sing Christmas Carols. Make it interesting.

THERE IS much talk about X-mas... I mean... Christmas, lest I be accused of x-ing Christ out of Christmas. Which is indeed what a lot of us do. Yep! Christmas back in the day meant church, church, church. There were the dinners, parties, shopping, but there was Church.

At that time people knew the 'true' meaning of Christmas which was the celebration of the birth of Christ. That was the time of year when you were sure to get new clothes and new shoes, just to look spiffy on 'Chrismus mawning'. All the skilled village people would rake in the money, the dressmakers, tailors, shoemakers and other professionals.

Now, many of us know that this celebration derived of the pagan holiday which celebrated the birth of the SUN. Some denominations see it as a pagan holiday and do not celebrate it or partake in any of the Yuletide activities. However, there are the others who embrace it and are not afraid to go all out.

From the carol services, to the Christmas plays and concerts the church is kept busy during the Yuletide season. They also take up the responsibility of feeding the less fortunate in the communities which they serve. Now this is a way to give of service and self which is a gift in itself. It feels good to give.

The children MUST go to church especially during the season, so it does not become for them a totally commercial holiday. In fact, many of them believe that Christmas is the time for gift giving and new clothes, so carting them off to church might put a little perspective into their holidays.

Avoid the 12 pains of Christmas