No money to spend  —Blessing Solomon, Banker

The economic situation has really affected my Christmas celebration in so many ways. I couldn’t shop for myself. I couldn’t buy gifts for family and friends the way I used to. I’m trying to focus on paying my bills because that’s what is important at the moment since I don’t have excess to spend.

I am more concerned with my children’s school fees —Shorinola Oladoyin, Civil Servant

It doesn’t even look like there is a celebration coming up in a few days. Before now, you see people selling and buying on every street corner, you see good decorations everywhere. Even the government couldn’t put up nice decorations in the nooks and crannies of the state. Things are really bad and the government seems handicapped.

From top left: Blessing Solomon; Oluwaseun
Emmanuel, Paul Elendu & Shorinola Oladoyin

I pray that God will guide our leaders to the right path and uproot all the cabals in this great country. Sharing gifts, getting nice things for the children, visiting parks are not even the issue. I am more concerned about my children’s school fees that I have to settle in two weeks.

Things are too tough— Oluwaseun Emmanuel, Sales Representative

Things are very tough right now and it looks like the prices of commodities is increasing on a daily basis. Normally, I give out food commodities to my relatives and friends during this period but that seems impossible now because of the tough economy. It is very sad I must confess.

No sign of festivities, no harmattan!  — Paul Elendu, IT Consultant

This year’s Christmas is totally different because things are expensive. Everyone is careful with spending. By this time last year, you could feel the festivities in the air, everywhere was bubbling. But now, even the harmattan disappeared because of the recession. It has also affected our businesses because most clients can no longer afford our services.

We will have a low key celebration — Afam Ndukwe, Accountant

Although the Christmas celebration is necessary but with the hardship and hike in prices of commodities, my family and I will not be traveling to the village as usual this festive period. Things are very tough and there is no money to spend. The salary is barely enough to cover the rent, school fees and other bills. Rice is now very expensive. In fact, prices of food and drinks generally have skyrocketed. Christmas cannot be ignored, but we’ll celebrate it on a low key, so that we won’t be overwhelmed with bills after the celebration.

I can’t travel home this year due to hardship — Amaka Eze, Businesswoman

Due to the current situation, I would have to forfeit a lot of things. I planned to travel with my family but the way things are now I don’t think we will travel again due to limited funds. Everything in the market now is so expensive.  I’m not happy that I’m not traveling with my children, but there is nothing I can do about it, because one will have to spend a lot of money.

I haven’t been paid, how can I celebrate? — Taiwo Lawal, Marketing Executive

I don’t have the means to celebrate because of the economic situation in the country. I’m working but I haven’t been paid for about three months, so how can I celebrate. There’s no money to do anything. I was supposed to travel but I can’t because I don’t have the money. My company could not even share rice and groundnut oil to members of staff as has been the custom.

I don’t know what to tell my children  — Adebanjo John, Civil Servant

This is the season where traders make bumper sales but this year seems different.  Everyone is striving to spread the available lean resources so as to cover all the competing demands which include school fees in the New Year. I don’t know what to tell my family especially my children as I can’t afford to meet their demands.

I wish the celebration was postponed — Anonymous, Trader

It is regrettable that many Nigerians do not have the expected income to make purchases this Christmas. This is the worst celebration I have ever experienced . If I had my way, I would have pleaded that the celebration be postponed.