5 Ways to Prepare for Christmas

5 (five) Christmas songs: ‘Feliz Navidad’ (not Felix Navidat), ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’, ‘Jingle bells,’ ‘Jingle bell bell’ (Tunde Ednut) and ‘On the first day of Christmas’, will all soon be hitting every item that emits sound in a matter of days.

Shoprite, Next and many other establishments will soon have green and red decorations up while the occasional White or Nigerian Santa Claus will start roaming the streets. In other words, Christmas is coming. And it is good to begin to prepare NOW. 

Even though insecurity, inflation and the general atmosphere may not put you in the celebratory mood just yet, remember that Christmas joy we experienced as children and the feeling children still experience now – it can always be resurrected and reflect within our spirits. 

So here are five (5) ways for you to prepare for and celebrate the festive season:

1. BUY NOW!

Yes now! Everyone will be going or coming home; if you have a large family expect to see them all together because rice, chicken and rest must all be consumed excessively before work resumes in January. So If you own a house or flat, you definitely want to buy all you need in bulk beforehand. Things like:

• FOOD. (Very important) Sales may start soon before the prices of everything more than doubles in December. It is good you get your bag(s) of rice now while they are still cheaper and other non-perishable items like oil, spices. Buy as many of these as possible to be sustained for Christmas and New year.

• Perishable foods are best buys now. Items like tomatoes can be bought now and processed to be stored in freezers. They can also be or dried thoroughly and stored in containers.

• Chickens (our Christmas mascots) can also be purchased now, as well as goats and cows. They have to be adequately processed, preferably stored in the bottom of the freezer, to preserve them (all though do this based on the level of electricity in your area). Also, try to buy live chickens and avoid frozen chickens because of the uncertainty of the source. October is the best bet to buy now to evade the price surge in November endings and December.

• Also, your Christmas clothes; You’re probably going to want to sew some now or for your children (if you have any). It’s best to get the materials and give your tailors now to prevent you from getting the finished items in February because the tailors will probably have a load of other clothes to work on.

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS

2. DECORATE

Suppose you’re big on decorations and showing off the thought you put into making your house sleek; it is nice to start decorating now. A lot of Nigerians like to store decorations at home to be brought out during Christmas. But if you happen not to have any decorations stored up, it is an excellent time to get your ribbons or embellishments, a Christmas tree (if you want) and other items before the price surges. And if you’re going to purchase fireworks, be careful.

3. PRUDENCE IS YOUR FRIEND

For many, Christmas is not only the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but a time for many to show off their new Christmas clothes. As much as it’s fun to show off your latest lace or designer clothes in church, prudence should be your friend.

December salaries and bonuses may be more than the average month but remember the next wage doesn’t come till January ending (and if you think Decembers are long, try January). It is nice to buy what you want but also good to buy what you can and is convenient for you. If you have a family and children if you have them, remember school fees are due the first week of January, after New Year’s celebrations.

4. SAFETY FIRST

Remember, wherever you are now is home. As much as you may want to go to your hometown to celebrate, safety is paramount. With the rise in insecurity and kidnapping, travelling, especially on roads, must be minimized and kept for dire necessities.

We want to celebrate and not mourn, so if you must travel, safety first! Keeping a low profile and using a non-flashy vehicle might go a long way (though it’s safer not to travel at all). And remember, if you cannot travel, your home is still home.

5. TAKE A CHILL PILL.

Finally, relax! If you get to bond with your family, partner or children, enjoy the moments to the max. The holidays might not be more than two weeks, so chill, enjoy, catch up on your favourite shows, read that book you’ve been trying to finish since the beginning of January and do all you could not do during the work time. Eat (but softly may u no blow), work out, pray (Jesus is the reason for the season) and, chill.

I hope these tips helped. Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas in advance, and remember it’s Feliz Navidad!