At Marianas Business Plaza’s Sabalu Market last Dec. 20, Marianas Press asked shoppers, vendors, students, and passersby a simple question: What’s your wish for Christmas?
The answers—by turns lighthearted, heartfelt, and sobering—offered a snapshot of a community balancing humor and hope amid economic uncertainty.
For a father with his two sons, Christmas wishes were rooted in education and opportunity.
“My Christmas wish is maybe for him to finish his master’s and go to work,” he said, speaking of his college graduate son. “And hopefully, Saipan will have a better economy soon. Right now, we’re facing difficulties, right? Hopefully, it will be better.”
His sons were more direct. Asked what he wanted for Christmas, the older one didn’t hesitate. “A new car,” he said, drawing laughter. Another chimed in: “Money.”
The same father broadened his wish beyond the CNMI, turning his thoughts to the Philippines. “I’m also wishing for the Philippines—especially now. There’s a very bad situation there. Flood control scheme, corruption. Corruption especially. I wish for a better Philippines sooner or later.”
Students from Mt. Carmel School kept things playful. One graduating girl said her Christmas wish was “to sell out everything over here and raise enough money to shave off our teacher’s beard and go to Japan.” On a simpler note, her schoolmate added that he planned to spend the break “fishing and eating.”
They also shared their Christmas day plans.
“My plans are either to go off island or spend time with friends and family,” she said.
“I also love fishing, so I might go to Smiling Cove and hit the ocean sometime,” he said.
For vendors, wishes often revolved around health, family, and the economy. One vendor said her Christmas wish was “good mental health and more blessings to come,” adding that she planned to celebrate quietly at home with family and a good feast.
For Saipan, her hope was straightforward: “I wish the economy will improve for the Saipan community.”
A senior resident offered a more reflective take. “My wish is that everybody get along,” he said. “Right now, we’re not getting along. That’s why we’ve got all these problems. We need to respect and love one another—and know that there’s a God.”
He said he would spend Christmas with his wife, noting that both of his children now serve in the U.S. Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration. “Big house,” he said softly, “but nothing inside.”
Another local vendor spoke of perseverance and optimism. “My wish is that everybody understands we want the economy to rebound so everybody can enjoy, be happy, and prosper,” he said. “Hope is the best keyword that it should happen to all. This holiday is very important.”
Despite investments and long hours, he said he and his wife planned to keep going into the new year. “We’re still rolling. We’re going to continue what we’re doing.”
Not all wishes were heavy. A social media influencer and mother summed up her Christmas wish with a smile: “I just want to sleep. I want to rest.” She said she planned to spend the holiday with her family and kids—but welcomed the idea of a break.
“I’m a mom. I’m a super mom,” she said. “We just want to be thankful for what we have, because the blessings are real.”
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