Gifting tree at Azan’s spreads Christmas cheer
Published:Thursday | December 18, 2025 | 12:10 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Azan Supercentre in Cross Roads, St Andrew, is helping to bring back the magic of Christmas for hundreds of children impacted by Hurricane Melissa through its gifting tree programme.
Through this initiative, customers select a tag identifying a child’s age and gender and purchase a gift in-store at a discounted rate. Azan’s will then wrap and deliver the presents to the parishes most impacted by the Category 5 storm.
Natalie Azan DeBellis, the store’s human resource and marketing manager, said the idea to put up a Christmas tree with the tags came a week after Hurricane Melissa, and customers have responded generously.
“They have enjoyed it. Immediately after the hurricane, I had to replenish the tags because it (the response) was very strong; but overall, our customers have done what they always do, they give back,” she said.
She said the store, which offers household concepts and gift items, has always given back to children in orphanages during the Yuletide season. This year’s circumstances inspired them to rope in their customers, and spread the joy of giving even further.
“Every child needs to enjoy Christmas, it needs to bring them happiness, and so the idea was focused for the western parishes,” she said.
Venice Edwards was curiously pleased by the gifting tree while shopping in store for household items on Tuesday.
“Its an interesting thing to do, and when you can give back, you should,” she said, while removing a tag from the tree to purchase a gift for a child.
“It makes it easier for persons to decide to give when it’s there in your face,” she added.
The Kingston native said although she was saddened by the devastation caused by the hurricane in the west, she was still determined to enjoy the holidays.
“I am enjoying my Christmas,” she said, adding that she plans to enjoy eating and spending time with her friends and family.
The gifting tree caught the eyes of Donna Rowley, who was picking up a gift for her workplace’s Christmas pixie programme. She told The Gleaner that although she was unable to buy a gift from the tree at this time, she appreciated the thought behind the initiative.
IMPORTANT TO GIVE
She said such acts are very important in helping to spread Christmas cheer as Jamaica recovers.
“Christmas is not nice to me right now, because when I remember the people down by country, it just brings sadness to me,” said Rowley, who is a practical nurse.
Michel Reid and her friend, Joy Williams, were shopping for their grandchildren and children in their care when they came upon the gifting tree.
Both women were enamoured by the idea and gleefully participated.
“Christmas is really about children, it’s not about us,” Williams said.
In the meantime, Azan Debellis noted that this year’s Christmas shopping is late because of the backlog at Customs, due to the volume of relief items coming in.
She said, however, that “people are shopping, their budget is a bit tweaked. But, you know, Jamaicans believe in celebrating, in happiness, in joy, (and) we need it right now, and we’re gonna have a Christmas”.