Christmas for a couple of alumni

When she’s not working on her masters in Biomedical Physics, Yanique Brandford (Medical Physics ’20) is busy making a difference in the lives of young women as the founder of Help a Girl Out (HAGO) (external link) . The non-profit organization provides women and girls in Toronto and developing countries with menstrual hygiene products. In 2020, Yanique won the Global Citizen Canada Hero Award.

What does this holiday mean to you?  

In my family, we believe Christmas is the season for celebrating the life of Jesus Christ. 

How do you celebrate Christmas? 

As a low-income/working-class family, we celebrate Christmas a bit differently. The availability of gifts is uncertain, so the focus is not on giving gifts but more on being together, comforting each other, laughing, dancing, playing games, and feasting on a wide variety of Caribbean dishes and desserts! No matter what is happening in our lives, whether we’re dealing with financial troubles or supporting loved ones who are ill, we gather and reassure each other with words, food or monetary support to make sure that everyone can enjoy the holidays.

What is your favourite part of Christmas? 

My absolute favourite part of Christmas is the anticipation. The debate on when to start singing Christmas carols, when or if we should decorate, what if anything will we give our siblings or (very importantly) who will be making the oxtail this Christmas — because grandma's oxtail is better than anyone we know. Still, she doesn't always grace us with her cooking.

What do you do on Christmas Eve? 

The days leading up to Christmas, especially Christmas Eve, are full of energy and excitement in my household. First, my mom, known for her delicious dishes, usually makes dozens of Jamaican fruit cakes (which she sells and gives to neighbours, family or friends). Then, she pre-seasons the meats & boils the sorrel, shopping for last-minute needs, all the while making arrangements for our extended family to get car rides to the Christmas dinner. 

What would a typical Christmas morning look like? 

My mom usually spends all night finishing up the cooking. Then, depending on whose house the dinner will be, we're wrapping up all the food and preparing everything to be taken there. Finally, everyone gets up early in the morning, excited for the day ahead. First thing, we open presents, if there are any that year. Then we head to church for a few hours (probably until noon); when we get back, we have a snack, which is essential because even though we've already prepared most of the food, Caribbean families take extremely long to serve holiday dinners. So the small children usually have to hustle snacks from the kitchen when no one is looking, while the teens go off to hide and probably order takeout to get them through until dinner. 

Complete this sentence: It wouldn't be Christmas/the holidays without: my mom.

Were presents wrapped or unwrapped in your house? Why? 

Gifts were wrapped unless we already knew what they were. My mom still can not keep secrets. Thankfully, for the past 3 years, we have been able to collect menstrual supplies and wrap gifts for low income families in our community.

What’s your favorite Christmas food? 

Grandma's oxtail with mash potato salad, a glass of sorrel drink (external link)  and Christmas rum cake for dessert! That's my absolute favourite, but, to be honest, there will be about 20 other dishes on my plate. I wear a dress so all the food will fit, and when full, we all have dozens of containers to take leftovers that will last us until the new year. :)

What’s your favourite Christmas tradition?

Jamaicans, mostly the men, play very loud and aggressive board games of Ludi and dominoes. It is by far the soundtrack of our Christmas celebration. They laugh and shout at each other while excessively slamming down the game pieces. I like to watch. Besides that, I enjoy the songs and plays that my church puts on every year -- sometimes, I get involved too.

Since graduation, Kathryn Davis (Theatre Performance ’14) has worked in TV, voiceover, video games and film. Kathryn was most recently seen playing superhero Phase Out in Netflix’s epic superhero saga Jupiter’s Legacy. Other career highlights include playing Lady Margaret in Hallmark Channel’s A Christmas Carousel and Melanie in No Escape Room. In the theatre realm, Kathryn was an ensemble member of the Dora Award-winning production of Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play and has performed at Summerworks Festival. Her latest project Christmas on 5th Avenue premieres in Canada on December 23rd at 8 p.m. on Super Channel.

You’ve got a holiday movie coming out soon — what was it like filming Christmas on 5th Avenue?

Filming Christmas on 5th Avenue was magical every step of the way. This was my first time being “No. 1” on the call sheet — being the lead role. Every day on set was long, but incredible. I was surrounded by a supportive crew and cast.

The “holiday movie” has become a huge part of the Christmas experience. Why do you think people love them so much?

Holiday movies provide the viewer the chance for a little escapism. The genre is expanding all of the time, becoming more inclusive and diverse. 

Can you tell us about any funny moments on the set?

Every day my co-star Olivier and I were constantly playing pranks on one another. On a few occasions we had random sing-offs whether it was to Aerosmith or Tears for Fears. 

Did this film inspire any new holiday traditions for you?

The character I play in the movie is very generous in heart and soul. I hope to be as kind and giving as she was this holiday season. The world needs more of that.

What’s your favourite holiday show and you CAN'T say Christmas on 5th Avenue:)

One of my favourite holiday movies is Love Actually. I saw it in cinemas with my older sister when it first came out. It always gives me a sense of nostalgia for the UK. I like how all of the storylines are linked and each has a lesson to teach you.

Complete this sentence: It wouldn't be Christmas/the holidays without ______________?

Those that I love in life. My family and friends around the world.

What's your favourite Christmas or holiday tradition?

My favourite holiday tradition is spending time with my family, staying warm inside, over-eating, going on a long (usually snowy) walk with my dogs. 

Real tree or fake...and why?

I love the magic and scent of a real tree, but they always make me feel a little sad. Once a tree is cut down it isn’t going to survive. My family has had a fake tree for many years and I hope that it means it helps us be a little less wasteful.

Are the presents from Santa wrapped or not wrapped?

When it comes to wrapping skills — I really do not take much pride in it. Do gift bags count as wrapped?

What's your favourite holiday food?

My favourite holiday food is mince pies and custard — very traditional English pudding.

How do you and your family celebrate Christmas?

Living back and forth between Canada and the UK — our Christmases have usually only involved our closest family. We eat a lot of food and watch classic Christmas films.

What would a typical Christmas morning look like?

We usually have a late morning, exchange a few presents, and watch Christmas specials of classic British comedies. Then we eat a late Christmas lunch and take the dogs out on a long walk. 

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

My favourite Christmas choral song is Hark the Herald Angels Sing. My brother and I did a production of A Christmas Carol over 10 years and we were members of an acapella choir — and Hark the Herald Angels Sing became my favourite song to perform. The harmonies sound beautiful when all done together. We can still remember our harmonies to this day. Also I have always liked Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody, it’s a classical staple of my childhood in the UK.