These past two weekends have definitely gotten me in the Christmas mood. I typically don’t enjoy the yuletide season, but for some reason, I’m excited this time around.
This weekend, I headed downtown to John Bull, a legendary retailer in The Bahamas. They have a Christmas launch to kick off the season and thousands of people turn out for a great time.
Christmas is one of the most important shopping seasons for the store, which was abuzz with live music, entertainment, raffles and even an appearance by old St. Nick.
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Rogan-John-Bull.jpg)
Santa Claus and his helpers came all the way from the North Pole to grant Christmas requests to a long line of kids and their parents.
This year’s holiday launch featured in-store promotions, face painting for the kids and a photo booth.
Henna, caricature and balloon artists also kept the store buzzing with activity.
I took my niece, Tatyanna with me and while there, bumped into a lot of friends and former colleagues I haven’t seen in a while.
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Blogger-Rogan-Smith-and-Allison-Miller.jpg)
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tatyanna-Forbes-in-John-Bull.jpg)
I didn’t stick around to the very end when they had the big raffle. Earlier this year, I won a gift card during the raffle.
The day’s event ended with an incredible Junkanoo rush-out that had many people dancing in the streets, the sidewalks and eventually, the store.
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tatyanna-Forbes-and-Rogan-Smith.jpg)
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tatyanna-Forbes-and-Santa-Claus.jpg)
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Rogan-Smith-taking-photos.jpg)
![](https://thisbahamiangyal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Junkanoo-dancer.jpg)
XOXO,
This Bahamian Gyal