Families enjoy matching pajamas for Christmas
Published:Sunday | December 25, 2022 | 1:41 AMKrysta Anderson - Staff Reporter
We may not have roasted chestnuts on an open fire, but Jamaicans are jolly enough to get cosy in this chilly season. And nothing screams comfort and early morning fashion quite like matching pajamas.
The phenomenon emerged in recent years with celebrities adorning themselves, their partners, and families in identical or similar sleepwear and sharing heartwarming photos under a fully dressed Christmas tree. The trend has since been adopted by others who are fascinated about bringing their loved ones together in a comfortable fashion.
The Sunday Gleaner spoke to Christmas lovers who have incorporated the tradition as a couple or for their families.
Shanelle Leon explained that both she and her husband, Matthew, have been in a matching state of mind.
“I am more into it than he is, but he always obliges me,” she said with a laugh.
The couple started with matching ugly Christmas sweaters back in 2017. After getting married, the newlyweds graduated to matching Christmas pajamas in 2020 following the birth of their son, Leon. “Now we get a new pair every year,” she enthused.
Matthew Blake shared that he and his wife saw that matching PJs were creating a trend over social media. “It even got to a point where several people we knew personally were also getting involved,” he explained. So they decided to join the style movement.
“I think it makes for a cute couple and family picture and we loved how ours came out,” he added.
This aligns perfectly with their other holiday traditions, like attending the Christmas tree lighting events, attending Christmas parties with their children, watching their little ones participate in the nativity plays at school and church, exchanging and opening gifts, and giving back to those in need.
Brian Cuff and his wife Basillia chimed in by revealing that although they haven’t been the couple or the family to synchronise when it comes to nightwear, they have been gifted a few pairs from others. In gratitude, the couple has embraced them, wearing their matching pajamas during the season and enjoying the comfort of the shared moment.
“Some people say it’s corny or not Jamaican, but for us, it’s another moment to spend time together, be goofy, be cute, and have loads of laughter. We’re in Mandeville, so the climate gets to 14 degrees Celsius. These pajamas help with a nice seasonal touch and they’re fit for our weather,” he said.
The couple come from a strict religious upbringing, so even the mention of Christmas traditions like matching clothes was shunned. As the two got older, the decision was made to evolve and change some of those things, all the while holding true to the pillars of what we were taught.
These days, the customs of the Cuff family are more centred around having gatherings on Christmas Day: eating, playing games, and sleepovers. “There is some gift giving, especially for the kids, while for us, it’s the sorrel, the cake, and the food.”