Planning a budget-friendly Christmas this year doesn’t mean losing the fun. Even if your bank account isn’t keeping up with your December spirit, you can still celebrate in clever and affordable ways.
Keep reading as we look at simple, practical tips to help you enjoy Christmas while staying within your budget.
1. Plan and prioritize your spending
The holiday season is full of shopping plans, be it for food or clothes. The prices of these items tend to increase towards the festive season due to high demand for them. It’s no surprise that in Nigeria, you can buy items for twice the original amount, if not more. So, if you really want to enjoy your Christmas on a budget, there’s no need to wait till Christmas Eve before getting your food items and clothes. There’s a lot of pressure on shopping when Christmas is coming up. It’s best to plan ahead of time and shop for your non-perishable food items in bulk. Creating a detailed budget wouldn’t hurt. It can help you manage your expenses and identify the essential items for your enjoyment. You can use this method to allocate funds to your food items, clothes, and gifts as well.
2. Engage in street food adventures with friends
The Christmas season is best spent with friends and family. Why not take your friends out on a little street food adventure? You can go out and patronize your local vendors selling suya, grilled catfish, Kilishi, Bole, jollof rice, and akara. This is a nice way to experience authentic Nigerian cuisines on a budget.
ALSO READ:
3. Visit low-cost sites
Spending Christmas on a budget doesn’t have to be a boring sit-at-home event. There are sites to visit with friends or family whose entry fees are minimal. We have options like the J. Randle Museum (Lagos), Owu Waterfalls (Osun), Nike Art Galleries (Lagos), Gameland Lagos, JJT Park (Abuja), and Skate City (Lagos). Explore such sites in your local area and go have some fun!
4. Embrace DIY Decorations
Christmas and decorations are two peas in a pod. It’s tempting to go big with your decoration plans, but when you’re on a budget, it’s best to get creative. Making your own decorations is not only budget-friendly but also a great way to personalize your space. Plan out how you want your home to look and work towards it. This is better than going to the market and letting yourself get caught up in fancy, expensive decor items. It’s an opportunity to bond with family, too.
5. Organize a Christmas movie marathon with friends
I don’t know about you, but binging Christmas movies is the highlight of my day. Get together with friends and binge-watch your favourite Christmas movies. Grab some popcorn and have a nice time with your friends. This is a budget-friendly and experiential means to enjoy the season.
6. Go out for Christmas light sightseeing
Christmas without Christmas lights is like an abomination. The lights reflect the brightness of the world that followed the birth of Christ. Many sites tend to decorate their buildings with beautiful Christmas lights that are worth seeing. This is another interesting hack to enjoy your Christmas. Get out and sightsee the Christmas lights around your area. This is a serene experience you can enjoy for FREE!
7. Plan to go for charity
Why not spread the holiday cheer by giving back to those who don’t have? After all, Christmas is all about having fun and spreading love. You can visit an orphanage home and donate food and clothes. Spend time with the children and make them feel loved. Doing good should make you feel good, too. This will cost nothing but your time. Make it your mission to cause a smile on someone’s face.
8. Start saving early for next year
I just had to add this here because we seem to look down on the power of savings. If you really want to enjoy your Christmas, it’s best to plan way ahead of time. Start saving up for next year’s Christmas now. It will save you a lot of stress.
