Janoura brings Xmas cheer with Mannequin Tree

HANNAH JANOURA, the owner of Janouras Custom Design Ltd, loves Christmas and knows how much good cheer is truly brought by the spirit of Christmas.

She is spreading some of that Christmas cheer through her Mannequin Christmas Tree.

In mid-October, Janoura began decorating her store on Sackville Street, Port of Spain.

She told Newsday, “Everybody was so blah, so I decided I am going to do something earlier than normal.

“Each floor has its Christmas tree. I decorated all of the trees. I have all of the elves on some of the bags inside here. You will walk in here and feel it is Christmas week.”

Each tree has its own touch of Caribbean flair and aesthetic.

Janoura’s mannequin Christmas tree has a lamé jacket and mask, and a skirt is made of Christmas garlands and ornaments. The garlands are also on the mannequin’s head with an accenting gold bow. Her Mannequin Christmas tree stands in Janoura’s storefront like a scene from the Caribbean version of the 1980 movie A Mom for Christmas. While the design is all her own, she was also inspired by an image on the image-sharing app Pinterest.

Her unique Christmas tree has been a head-turner for many passers-by.

“It is really a nice centrepiece and it is a beautiful idea and I am so happy I did it. I am very pleased with it.”

She knows the last six months have been really hard for many, if not most people and wanted to lift the spirits of people and get TT out of the gloom. Janoura believes the Christmas spirit truly makes a difference.

Although many businesses have predicted a bleak Christmas, she sees things differently.

“I think we are going to have a very good Christmas. Personally, I think everyone is ready to come out and I know they are not going to spend as normal but I think we are going to have a very bright Christmas.

“We also have to think on the positive side,” she said.

She has even seen a change in her own staff since decorating.

“I find people have changed around the office and they have that happy spirit around them," she said.

“We are going to have a good, good Christmas and I love my country.”