Hi,

Our kids are now 15 & 13 years old and have decided to go to SXM for Christmas. We have been several times to SXM but never over Christmas, staying in Orient village. My questions are: is there a charity that you all can recommend for us to either help for a few hours or make a donation to? Would prefer children's charity, school or food bank. I have heard that the decorations are lovely at this time of year. Anything else you all can recommend? I am assuming that the Catholic churches will post mass times in the next few weeks as well. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thank you.

We've been going to SXM for more than 30 yrs. and most of those years included Christmas. I think you will get good advice re: charities from some others on this board, but we celebrated Christmas with our son and daughter in their younger years in SXM and we have many great memories. The "magic of Christmas" was not diminished without the cold and snow of home. Many festivities and lots of lights.
Enjoy.

If you want a fantastic experience with lights & decorations go to the lady's house over near friar's bay road (just up the hill on the right if you are heading towards Marigot) She even does tours of her home which is totally done for Christmas. I think she requests donations for the food bank. There is sometimes a write up about the house in one of the St. Martin magazines. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Here is a You Tube regarding the Christmas house.

Regarding volunteering, the Salvation Army is right on Airport Road, very close to where Uncle Harry's used to be. (Senior moment, can't remember what it's called now) SA should know how to contact other organizations. I know there is an organization on island that is called Island Gems that helps out local people, but not sure how to contact them.

Regarding other Christmas activities, I know that Mary's Boon used to have a Christmas Carolling event there on Christmas Eve, and they usually have some kind of a show in Maho.

Regarding the actual day, I know a lot of restaurants are closed that day. Christmas should be about being with your family anyway, so make plans to have a meal in that day, and give time off to all the hard working restaurant workers. And for kids, even on SXM, I know that they would still want a TREE, even if there's not much underneath it. They do sell real trees on island, but you'd have to figure out ornaments. You might want to think about bringing a real small, pre-decorated tree for them.

Regarding mass, we are not Catholic, but I know they do have Christmas Eve mass on island. There is a Catholic church in Grand Case and one in P'burg, pretty sure. You might check with them, earlier in the week. Enjoy!

JD has corrected me, it's a Red Cross, not Salvation Army. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Yes it is the Red Cross not Salvation Army and most fresh trees are long gone by Christmas. So yes, if you need a tree, bring a small predecorated one. There will be no trees left by week before Christmas. Sometimes we used to get locked out by early December.
Be The Change can always use donations. I Can also. Senior Center would appreciate sttention also. Many deserving groups.
Cheers
irina

Thanks for the organization info.

Regarding the trees, it was probably unusual, but we were there for Christmas 2014, and they actually had real trees at Cost U Less on Christmas Eve! I was surprised. Better to plan ahead for that though.

Here's a link to the I Can Foundation , which sounds like exactly what you're seeking as far as a charity is concerned.

and here is the link for Be The Change Foundation:
http://bethechangesxm.com/
Cheers
irina

Many things are closed on Boxing Day, too. (day after Christmas)