We have been invited to a neightbor's house on Sunday for a Jamaican House Blessing, following the completion of a total rebuild after the hurricane two years ago. Apparently this is a tradition where a prayer is said by the group in each major room of the new or rebuilt home.

My neighbors are, obviously, Jamaican - A lovely couple in their 80s, and quietly and beautifully faithful and religious.

I am obviously NOT Jamaican - and not religious, but I am faithful.

What would be an appropriate small gift to bring? Dress will be nice, but not fancy; blessing takes place at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Is there anything else of which I should be aware with respect to Jamaican house customs? I have read that a woman should not put her purse on the floor, for example.

Thanks much for any suggestions.

A

You have mail.

I have a text but no mail...

Maybe a horseshoe?

Werner Heisenberg, the famous physicist, was hosting a friend at his summer home. The friend asked about a horseshoe nailed over the door. “It’s said to bring good luck,” Heisenberg explained.

“Surely a scientist like you doesn’t believe such superstitious nonsense,” his friend said.

“Of course not,” Heisenberg replied, “but they say it works just as well whether you believe in it or not.”

My single Google hit just says you are a guest invited for a meal and nothing else is expected from you. So just attend, enjoy and be grateful as the rest.
If you want to add anything, just do it american style.

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A Jamacian friend suggested a nice bottle of white wine. Jamaicans are not fans of red.