A season to be jolly? Oh yes, you got that right, Christmas is that time of the year that gets everyone all pumped up. One of the exciting things about this holiday is that we all get to set up different and interesting plans just to have a great time. Christmas is for everyone, talking about family, friends, couples, single folks, children, teenagers, adults, you name it.
Want to know how we turn up for some Christmas fun in Nigeria, well here is how we run it in style;
1. Putting up the Christmas tree and lights
2. Christmas food
3. Father Christmas
4. Christmas clothes
5. Christmas outing
1. Putting up the Christmas tree and lights
The funny thing about Christmas in a typical Nigerian home is that you will find Christmas trees and lights already put up in the living room once it’s almost or immediately December. Some even go as far as placing disco lights in the front yard. There are so many fun things that come with putting up the Christmas tree. Talking about decorating the tree, placing Christmas gifts under the tree, and lots more. It won’t be wrong to say that Christmas is not complete without a Christmas tree.
However, for most Nigerians who can’t afford Christmas trees, putting up strings of Christmas lights in the house is just fine. Doing this will definitely set in the spirit of the Christmas celebration.
2. Christmas Food
Even when Nigerians complain about the bad economy and how things are getting really expensive, don’t be surprised that they will still be able to prepare Christmas food and delicacies. It’s also normal to hear people talking about their plans to go visit a friend for Christmas or people telling each other “keep my Christmas rice and chicken”. So many comments are often made about Christmas food or “menu menu” because it’s more like a customary part of the Christmas celebration in Nigeria. Even if you go around shouting “sapa” no one would believe that you haven’t eaten on Christmas day, because there’s always enough to go around.
In the month of December, the majority of those who celebrate Christmas, especially families in Nigeria, are used to preparing food and giving it to their neighbours, friends and relatives who come over. This is a pure reflection of the saying “there is love in sharing”.
3. Father Christmas
Well, the common name for this is Santa Claus, but in Nigeria, we’ve got a different version known as Father Christmas. A man gets dressed in a red outfit, with a white beard and a weight reach bag which we believe to be stuffed with goodies and gifts. He also has a catchphrase that goes “Oh Oh Oh Merry Christmas”. Father Christmas in Nigeria doesn’t sneak into houses through chimneys. Instead, he turns up for Christmas programmes. Sometimes, family men or uncles dress up as Father Christmas just to make the little ones happy.
Here is a little gist, playing the role of Father Christmas has become a side hustle and source of income for some men because they get paid for it. The common places where you’d see Father Christmas is at primary and nursery school Christmas carols, parties and events. School get a room decorated and filled with Christmas vibes. The school children get to sit on Father Christmas’s lap, and they get presented with gifts and snap pictures.
4. Christmas Cloth
There is this popular song children are fond of when it’s December
“Christmas is coming
It’s coming, it’s coming
Christmas is coming
Baba buy shoe for me
Baba buy cloth for me”
By early December, people start going all out to slay for Christmas. The popular colours of attire you will find on most Nigerians for Christmas are red and white. Especially for those who attend Church Christmas carols, Christmas parties and events, Christmas Cloth is a norm. Although not compulsory, it’s good to look for Christmas. Children get the most out of this because no parent wants his or her child to look bad during Christmas. Nigerian tailors and fabric material sellers also make a whole lot from their customers. The same goes for sellers of ready-made outfits. Some even go as far as importing their outfits for Christmas.
5. Christmas Outing
Going out has become quite the norm in Nigeria. Christmas is known to bring families and friends together in the cause of celebration. Children enjoy the most of this holiday because they get to go out for fun and enjoy the company of family. Most Nigerian State governments also make provision for Christmas decorations at certain places where people can go in order to take pictures and hang out.
There are quite a number of things and ways Christmas is Celebrated in Nigeria. Aside from those listed above, there is; Knockout, also known as celebrating with firecrackers and fireworks, Public holidays, Christmas songs, Christmas poems, and lots more.
Definitely, your Christmas isn’t complete without doing any of these listed.
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