O Christmas tree, I love thee! - Veteran decorator lives, breathes festive season
Published:Wednesday | December 16, 2020 | 12:30 AMNadine Wilson-Harris/Staff Reporter
It has taken interior designer Carlton Nembhard two weeks to create Jamaica’s largest Christmas tree, which he has built from scratch with iron.
The 45-foot tree sits in the Portmore Climate Change Park in St Catherine and has been aptly decorated with garlands, shiny balls, and lights with the help of his spouse Beverley Henry, their children, and several workmen.
“I just love the Christmas decoration, mi just love it. Even when mi a do it, mi not even check the price fi it,” said the father of seven.
Nembhard has been an interior designer since 1970, and initially started decorating Mall Plaza in Half-Way Tree. He has transformed the plaza every Christmas for more than 30 years, during which time he has been sought after by companies and high-profile Jamaicans to design offices and homes during the festive season.
Nembhard, who was seen adding the final touches to his masterpiece on Tuesday, said he often hires men from the communities where he is working to assist with putting up a tree. Sometimes, he employs as many as 30 persons.
“We know them don’t skilful, but at the same time, they can pass something give me, they can do something. At the end, them have something in their pocket when them done,” said Nembhard, who is also a freelance decorator for Waterworks Limited.
The pandemic has dulled the Christmas spirit a bit, but the seasoned decorator listed several companies that have hired him this year to cheer up staff and the general public. Several of his usual clients have not been able to afford the full cost, but giving a discount has not been an issue.
“Everybody a bawl bout COVID, they not making any money, so we have to cooperate and come down to a level,” he said. “... As long as I can carry in a little food inna the house, mi all right, because that’s all we need to survive.”
Decorating trees has been a family affair for Nembhard. On hand on Tuesday to assist was Henry, his spouse of 26 years, his 13-year-old son Marcus Nembhard and daughter Sasha-Gaye Nembhard, and Henry’s son, Anthony Sill.
“She is the book lady; she take name and she also decorate and make wreath and make things like that,” Nemhard said in reference to his wife.
Henry lives and breathes Christmas.
“I love the food, the gifts, and especially the trees that put the food on the table,” she said.
She gets goose pimples when a tree is unveiled.
Nembhard, now 63, said decorating trees will continue to be a source of income and joy for the family.
“It has supported me so long, with mi woman and pickney them,” he said.