Grappling with the Tradition of Christmas Amidst Rising Cost of Goods, Services 

When Nigerians celebrated Christmas season amidst the rising cost of good and services, THISDAY sampled the opinions of Christian faithfuls across Lagos on how the current economic situation impacted their already established Christmas traditions. Esther Oluku reports

For Christians, Jesus Christ is the son of the Almighty God and His birth, according to the synoptic gospels of the Bible, is the result of a supernatural conception. 

For Christian faithfuls, the birth of Christ is a demonstration of the fulfillment of God’s promise of redeeming humanity to himself again. Although the actual date of Jesus birth was not documented, early consensus among scholars chose the 25th of December each year to commemorate Christ’s birth.

According to Mr. Dumbiri Cletus, “the date chosen does not necessarily mean that it is the date that Christ was born but it is a celebration of the significance of Christ’s birth.”

The celebration each year is marked by a solemn acknowledgement of God’s divine love for humanity and accompanied by gestures of giving, camaraderie and the coming together of families and close friends. As the event coincides with the holiday season, it presents an opportunity to unwind before the coming of a new year. 

Part of the tradition of Christmas include giving of food items to one another, visiting long seen friends and family members which may necessitate traveling, spending time with immediate family members in vacations, short trips, outdoor get-togethers and supporting charitable causes.

Lamentations about Soaring Food Prices 

While the significant of the event remains alive in the hearts of many Christians, prices of everyday food items like rice, tomatoes, pepper, chicken and groundnut oil have jumped astronomically, almost quenching the Christmas joy. 

On 18th December, 2024, a market survey by THISDAY revealed that the average price of a broiler chicken stood at N25,000, a native chicken costs N12,000, and an old layer chicken costs N9,000. Also, a small basket of tomatoes cost N3,500, a medium plate of pepper cost N2,000 and four medium balls of onions cost N1,000. THISDAY sampled the opinions of Nigerians in the face of current economic realities as they struggle to maintain the tradition of Christmas. 

Lamenting, Gift Israel, said: “I am a student and married with kids. The prices of food items in the market are on the highway side. I do not even have what I would eat with my family for the Christmas so we’re just believing God. The little business I am doing has not been going too well.

“We don’t depend on the economy now. It is God that we depend on. Christmas would come and would go. We need the economy to change so that things can be better for all of us.”

Another mother, Gift Abraham said: “I am married with four kids. Christmas season involves buying new clothes for my kids, merriment, buying food and cooking for them as usual and taking them out but as you can see, we are still stuck. Currently, I don’t have enough. We have been doing it some years back but this time around it is even worse. I don’t think we can. Previously, we use to buy new clothes but as of now, nothing at all. 

“I do not think I would be able to take the kids out because I’m even planning of celebrating it at home in a small way. We normally have family members coming to visit us but this time around, I don’t know how to do it or how to start so I don’t think it would be possible.”

Victoria Amadi said: “Growing up in a Christian home where we cherish Christmas and where Christmas is a very special occasion. Everything makes Christmas special. But right now, with the change of the weather and the economy of Nigeria, I feel there has been a shift from what Christmas used to be as a special and anticipated time compared to today.

“For my family, if there is enough resources for us to go out, we will. But as a breastfeeding mother, I might not be going out reason being that I cannot give anyone my child while I go out and the financial constraints might not allow me to go out.

“There isn’t enough resources to cater for Christmas. The expenses is more than the income now. We believe that Christmas is when you have enough to give out, enough to eat but right now, with everybody managing, we barely have enough. 

“As a family, we are going to maintain the tradition of Christmas we have had before now because that is what makes us Christians and we have to. We have to make out time to celebrate it.”

Eguono Odjegba in his comment said: “I am married with four children. Christmas is the anniversary celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and for us, a deep moment of reflection  and giving of utmost gratitude as humanly possible to the Almighty Creator for His love and care for us.

“Only His goodness is enough, economically and politically. As a nation and people, we have fallen into very bad and challenging times. Very challenging that as a family, we don’t even want to talk about having enough to celebrate as we are accustomed, but like l mentioned earlier, we have reasons to continue to thank the Lord Almighty.

“Irrespective of the difficult time, yes, we hope to partake in boxing day celebration as we don’t usually go out on Christmas day after the Joint Hour of Worship and Thanksgiving.”

For Dumbiri Cletus, as a single man, “Christmas represents the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time of love to celebrate with family and friends, a time to share, a time to share of the little or abundance that you have pending of the abundance that God has given you.

“I’m not sure that there is ever enough because man will always be in want. Looking at the situation of the economy, many people are just going to find a way to get by. The price increase is not as much the problem as the fact that there is not even enough money in circulation to meet the increase in price.

“Transportation is outrageous. I obviously don’t have enough but in my own little way, I’d always find ways to celebrate with my family. I believe whatsoever level you find yourself, there is still someone you can help by sharing. So let’s reach out to someone in love irrespective of how little we have.

“I would not be able to to maintain the tradition of Christmas. The tradition of Christmas I grew up with is such that immediately school vacates, we start planning to travel. My father would buy a bag of rice and charter a bus then we would travel to the village around mid-December to see other members of our family. 

“All our relatives come down from wherever they may be to the village then we celebrate Christmas together. It was more like a family get together. The tradition of Christmas has changed for me because we can’t afford traveling and if you plan to travel that would mean more expense. And for salary earners, the strength of the Naira has dropped and the salary is not increasing.”

Elucidating, Felicity Eguabor, added that given that 

Christmas is a season of love and a time to show love and care for others, even though she has enough to cater for her expenses this season, she would not be going out. 

“I also think, as a family, we may not to be able keep all of our Christmas tradition so that If we were doing like 100 per cent before, I think we may be able to maintain the tradition of Christmas up to like 40 per cent. 

“This tradition involves staying at home, cooking and sharing to others but this year, we are not doing as much as we used to. The economy is not funny so instead of the usual food and drinks, we are just going to give everybody something to drink but no food.”