DECEMBER IS READY, BUT MY POCKET ISN'T READY

There is something about the last few months of the year that makes people start behaving differently to the extent that even before December arrives, you can already feel the change. Somebody is talking about travelling home. Somebody else is planning a family reunion. Another person is calculating how much money they need for Christmas clothes, food, drinks, gifts, and all the other things that somehow become compulsory once the festive season begin and then there is that one friend who has already started saying, "This December, we must enjoy!"...

My brother, my sister, enjoy with which money?... Honestly, I love the holiday season as there's always something beautiful about the atmosphere, especially here in Nigeria.. The streets become busier, shops start displaying Christmas decorations, people begin making plans and conversations slowly shift from work and everyday stress to what everybody hopes to do before the year ends..

For me, one of the things I look forward to most is having time to breathe, slow down and relax.. Life can become so busy that sometimes you don't even realise how tired you are until you finally get the chance to slow down... There is always something demanding your attention. Work, business, personal goals, bills, responsibilities, and those unexpected expenses that appear when you are already trying to manage the little you have.. So the idea of having a few days to relax, spend time with people I care about, eat good food, watch movies, and forget about some of these responsibilities for a while sounds wonderful and if there is one thing I have learnt, it is that enjoyment doesn't always need to be expensive.

Sometimes, a good meal and an interesting conversation with friends can make your day. Sometimes, sitting with family members, laughing about old memories, and hearing stories you have heard at least ten times can be enough to make you happy...

There is something special about being around familiar faces, especially when you haven't seen some of them for a long time.

But then, there is the Nigerian December budget.. This is where things become interesting Because while everybody is talking about enjoyment, somebody somewhere is looking at their account balance and trying to understand how the same amount of money that seemed reasonable in September suddenly looks like pocket change in December.

Food prices are a serious consideration. Transportation can become expensive, especially for people travelling long distances.. Accommodation, gifts, family contributions and other festive expenses can quickly add up and if you are the person everybody expects to provide something for the family, December can feel less like a holiday and more like another financial responsibility... Just Imagine travelling to your village for Christmas. You need money for transport, you want to give your parents something, your younger ones are expecting gifts, and relatives you haven't seen in months are already preparing to ask how far you have gone in life.. You haven't even arrived, and your budget is already sweating.

There is no point spending all your savings trying to impress people who may not even remember what you wore or what you bought them by February.

I would rather make realistic plans, spend within my means, and enjoy the things I can genuinely afford... If I can travel, wonderful. If I can buy gifts for everyone, that is great. But if all I can manage is a simple celebration with good food and the people I love, I don't think that makes my Christmas any less meaningful.

Besides, some of the best memories are not necessarily the ones that cost the most money... So, will I enjoy this holiday season fully??.. I want to say yes, but I also know that life doesn't always follow our plans... There may be responsibilities to handle, goals to pursue, and expenses that refuse to take a holiday just because December has arrived.

Still, I don't want to spend the entire season worrying about what I cannot afford or comparing my celebration with what I see other people posting online.. Social media can make it seem as though everybody is travelling abroad, attending expensive events, buying new things, and having the best time of their lives but we rarely see the full picture..

Some people are genuinely enjoying themselves. Others may be spending money they cannot comfortably afford. And some people are simply trying to make it through the season without feeling left behind... Everybody has a different reality and For me, the goal is to find happiness in the middle of whatever circumstances I have. I want to make room for rest, laughter, meaningful conversations and a little enjoyment without forgetting the responsibilities waiting for me afterwards and if I manage to eat good food along the way, please, nobody should disturb me... That one is part of the plan..

At the end of the day, I think the holiday season should be about more than how much money we spend or how impressive our celebrations look... It should also be about appreciating how far we have come, reconnecting with people who matter, resting when we can and giving ourselves permission to be happy even when life isn't perfect.

So yes, December is coming, and I am looking forward to it... My only request is that my pocket and the Nigerian economy should cooperate with my plans this time. We cannot continue fighting every year..

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