News December 23 2025

No place like home for the holidays

Updated December 23 2025 3 min read

Loading article...

  • Alliah Moore (left) poses for a photo with her sister Amber Moore and nephew Aiden after the trio arrived on Monday. Alliah Moore (left) poses for a photo with her sister Amber Moore and nephew Aiden after the trio arrived on Monday.
  • Travellers arriving in Jamaica at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Monday, three days before Christmas Day. Travellers arriving in Jamaica at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Monday, three days before Christmas Day.
  • Donnett Green, a cosmetologist travelling from the Turks and Caicos Islands, said she makes the journey home every year because family remains her top priority. Donnett Green, a cosmetologist travelling from the Turks and Caicos Islands, said she makes the journey home every year because family remains her top priority.
  • A traveller is greeted with a warm hug on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport on Monday. A traveller is greeted with a warm hug on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport on Monday.
  • First-time visitors Florencia Dellanno and Juan Del Roo, software professionals from Argentina, are looking forward to enjoying jerked chicken and relaxing for the holidays. First-time visitors Florencia Dellanno and Juan Del Roo, software professionals from Argentina, are looking forward to enjoying jerked chicken and relaxing for the holidays.
  • Medical student Jaden Wright was happy to be back from Cuba to spend Christmas with family. Medical student Jaden Wright was happy to be back from Cuba to spend Christmas with family.

“Don’t let anything dim yuh spirit.” That was the message echoed by returning Jamaicans at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Monday, as travellers arriving for the Christmas holidays said they remain focused on family, gratitude, and celebration, despite the lingering effects of Hurricane Melissa. Among those returning was Donnett Green, a cosmetologist travelling from the Turks and Caicos Islands to spend the season with relatives in Kingston. Green said she makes the journey home every year because family remains her top priority.

Unlock this exclusive content and more with Gleaner Premium

  • Unlimited Access to Exclusive, In-Depth Journalism
  • The Same Newspaper You Love — Delivered Digitally
  • Early Access & Subscriber-Only Content
Phone Mockup Screen Mockup

Unlock this exclusive content and more with Gleaner Premium

  • Unlimited Access to Exclusive, In-Depth Journalism
  • The Same Newspaper You Love — Delivered Digitally
  • Early Access & Subscriber-Only Content
Phone Mockup Screen Mockup