Portia Simpson Miller and husband Errald. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The farewell functions for Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, and her husband J. Howard Johnson have started making it a bittersweet Christmas, not only for the couple, but also for the many friends they have made during their tenure.

Upon their departure, Jamaica would have lost two very good friends, who not only had direct access to the White House, but had a near 40-year-long affair with the island and its people, starting with their honeymoon at the Tryall Resort, where they made their first visit here as newlyweds. They returned some 30 years later as their country's pre-eminent citizens who served admirably in that capacity.

We can only hope that as they take their leave, they will take some very fond memories of their tenure and continue to do us proud in their representations not only to their successors and/or government, but to their peers, as we wish them all the best, in their endea-vours, as we say "walk good"!

Speaking of people leaving, it's beginning to look like it's a mighty fine year to make it a Jamaican holiday for the Christmas and New Year's rush instead of packing the bags and braving the humbug of airports and all that goes with that. It's far easier to motor over to the north and or south coasts with the family and make it a family affair. With some seasonal offers on hotel rooms and all-inclusive deals that cannot be beat, now is the absolute best time to make it a family getaway.

All about Hedonism II

It might not yet be Christmas, but this weekend, it's all about Hedonism II in Negril as the party-hearty gets all set to get their freak on as some of North America's hottest and finest hunks jets in for a pre-Christmas shindig that promises to make it one red-hot do! We are talking a sizzler of the burlesque order that already has a number of women jetting in from stateside to share the excitement, not to mention a slew of Jamaicans who would not miss the event for the world! Count me in the lot who wouldn't miss this weekend for all the Christmas puddings from Norma's on Whitehall Avenue.

Speaking of Christmas puddings, Edward and Carla Seaga will be serving up their traditional eggnog punch on Christmas Day, before rushing off on Boxing Day to spend some time with children Anabella Seaga and her husband Dr Michael Zia Mian and son Andrew Seaga and wife Amanda Cross and their children.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and husband Errald will make it an intimate holiday. The fab socialite Jennifer Lim's annual Christmas brunch is now the talk of the town and it's a not-to-be-missed affair, promising a bounty of goodies and fabulous society.

Kenny Benjamin will host his annual Christmas dinner party at his Stony Hill estate later that evening. The unimpeachable hotel tycoon John Issa will celebrate his birthday on the 29th, and while there are those queuing for the all-important Christmas invite, the international A-crowder and his fab wife Aida Issa will be celebrating with family and friends abroad.

Birthday celebration

The charmingly lovely Texan, Jane Joslin, the wife of multimillionaire Dennis Joslin, celebrated her birthday yesterday and the buzz was it was raining fabulousness at the celebrations.

Also celebrating yesterday was Barrington Burke-Green, but here the celebrations were in the Big Apple. K. Nichkole Forbes celebrates on the 20th, the charming Odessa Chambers celebrates her special day on the 22nd and chef extraordinaire Dennis Lee celebrates next Wednesday, Christmas Eve.

The lovely Carol Bourke celebrates her special day on Christmas Day and it's nothing but premium champagne for the stunning and absolutely gorgeous Sophia MaxBrown on Christmas Day (and night) as she celebrates her birthday. And the buzz is it will be an intimate do as Kingston's first lady of style celebrates in haute style.

Champagne toasts to all birthday celebrants and very merry, merry Christmas to y'all as we see out the season!

Lord Morris (left), chancellor of the University of Technology, jokes with Edward Seaga, pro-chancellor, and his wife Carla at the 50th anniversary gala banquet, held at The Hilton Kingston hotel in New Kingston, on Saturday, December 6. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

John Issa, Jennifer Lim, Jane Joslin - Contributed