What December means to us: Entrepreneurs, traders, students, fun-lovers share experiences

Beautiful twinkle of lights, pine decorated with ornaments, cruelty of harmattan, holidays, Christmas songs/jingles on radio stations and television; notice all these and you know it’s December, the 12th and final month of the year.

While some describe the month as a feeling, some say it is a month that speaks of the ending of one year with the promise of a New Year beginning in January.

Some others just love the month because of the festivities associated with it. The Christmas day celebration comes up on December 25th and as a result, most schools and public/private organisations throw parties or organise carols to celebrate the occasion.

It is also a time when people get together with family and friends and celebrate all they were blessed with throughout the past months.

While Christians see another angle to the month and believe it is a time of the year which is used to reflect the love of God on humanity because Christ was born that month, Muslims too are not left out as they also feel excited about the end of the year.

Children especially love the month the most. This is simply because it is when their favourite “Father Christmas” show up in their schools to give them lots of gifts, and of course, their parents are also always ready to buy them their “Christmas clothes” and “Christmas shoes.”

In general, December is known to be a month of winding down and enjoyment. Little wonder cinemas, malls, beaches, restaurants, amusement parks and other recreational centres people consider as fun, experience more turnout than ever.

Even artistes are included as most of them choose this month for their concerts and events, and even going as far as tagging the month “Detty December” in Nigeria.

It has also been noticed that people tend to move to their own houses during this period because after being tenants for long, they see December as the appropriate time to move out in order to enjoy the festivity feeling in their homes with family and friends.

Traders, who deal in clothes, shoes, foodstuff, livestock, such as chicken and goat, gift items and decors also enjoy huge sales from as early as November ending because people believe the earlier they buy these things, the cheaper they get them.

Speaking with Tobi Olaniyi, manager of Filmhouse Cinemas, Dugbe, Ibadan, the turnout for the month of December is not always predictable, but the expectations are very high.

In her words, “we are really expecting a huge turnout this year as usual.

“December is a holiday period when we make lot of money compared to other time of the year because people who live where there are no cinemas go as far as travelling down to places where they have cinemas just to have fun, including here in Ibadan.

“We have more than 10 movies that will be released this month, so we are highly expectant.”

While responding, consumer, Mrs Funke Adeoye, a teacher and a mother of two, excitedly stated that all has been set for her children’s Christmas wears as she has bought them since November before they got expensive.

Adeoye Sanmi, a makeup artiste, whose favourite time of the year happens to be December, stated that “Christmas is what I love the most about December. It’s a season of togetherness; I mean relatives come together this period. I get to see a lot of my relatives I’ve not seen in a while. I get to hang out a lot and I dare not forget the food. What’s Christmas without food with chicken?

“I get to also watch movies on the birth of Jesus because as a Christian you should not lose sight of why you’re celebrating Christmas. Fireworks come into play too! They’re the icing on the cake!”

According to a graduate student, Olaobaju Tejumoluwa, she’s big on Christmas because of the whole lights, decorations, holiday, family and food.

“I just love the whole drama and festivities that come with Christmas, I plan ahead, I save ahead.

“Above all, I’m a Christian and it’s also a moment to celebrate the One that came to give His life for me so as much as I like the celebration and festivities, I also take a moment to reflect on Christ’s love for me and humanity.”

To Mr Josiah Fasooto, a civil servant, “December remains favourite of many, and I’m not left out. Reasons are: it’s harvest period, season to evaluate – whether you’ve achieved or not, celebration of the birth of Christ, harmattan which causes drastic reduction in sickness and lesser work for farmers.”

However, looking at the economic situation of the country, there have been mixed reactions from traders as regards turnout of sales but are expectant that in weeks to come, there would be changes.

Foodstuff seller who identified herself simply as mummy John stated that turnout has not really been high as most people only start patronising her when it is almost Christmas.

She added that people even go as far as buying the foodstuff and travelling with it.

“Most people prefer to buy foodstuff along to wherever they are travelling to for reasons best known to them. Some even buy them, keep them at home, and then travel.”

Another trader who sells rice and vegetable oil at Bodija Market, Ibadan, Mrs Idayat, said “I sell rice in bags only and so far, the turnout has been good despite the issue of border closure.

“Most organisations have started patronising me because they need to give their staff foodstuff as part of end of the year gift, so it’s going well.”

A visit to Dugbe/Post office, Ibadan, shows that sellers of Christmas props and decorations have started stocking up as well as Christmas garlands, glass ball ornaments, and Christmas pickles flooded everywhere. Buyers were also seen negotiating and buying.

Nevertheless, preparations for this year’s celebration and festivity are going on well.

It should, however, be noted that symbols associated with the holiday will have different meaning to different people depending on upbringing, religious beliefs and any other personal circumstances.