By Pamela Agboga
It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle-belling And everyone telling you Be of good cheer It’s the most wonderful time of the year
That’s a song written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle, and the song talks about the wonderful things that happen at Christmas. In the spirit of Christmas, I have decided to compile 12 favourite things of Christmas, mine and others’. Why don’t you go through and see if I missed anything?- Carols: I officially start playing Christmas music in November, nothing like getting a head start.
- Decorating: I decorate on the 1st of December now, it costs so much to get the tree, lights, tree decoration and stuff, why hang in the middle of December and take them down the minute the New Year starts counting down? Your decorations should give you your money’s worth in service. And they are oh-so-pretty.
- Having Family around: We start making plans to see and gather, with core family, with the in-laws, in our home towns. But no matter how we complain about family, come November, we are saving and planning to spend time with those people that get on our last nerve. That is the spirit of Christmas.
- Cakes and Snacks: I can still remember the smell of baking and frying. Homemade cake and chin-chin was a Christmas staple. Sometimes I do cheat and get them from the store, but either way, it wouldn’t be Christmas without them. I don’t do cookies and gingerbread houses, but maybe you do.
- Corny Christmas Movies: Even before DSTV, our local stations would have stocked up on Christmas movies. The only Nigerian Christmas movie I have seen is ‘A Christmas Passion’. Nollywood, we need more of those.
- Christmas Shopping: Christmas shopping begins early, from the foodstuff, to apparel and accessories, to gifts. Oh, how could I forget the noisy knock-outs and bangers?
- Christmas Cards: We sometimes toss them out with the trash by the New Year so at Christmas time we don’t give what we do not value. The major x-mas cards come from companies, I’ve got two already, and though right now Christmas is like 12 days away, I’m still expectant to get a few more ‘in the trash by January’ cards. I can’t help it, its tradition. Send me a card today!
- Gifts: Hampers, corporate gifts, family shared gifts, you name it. This is one time you are permitted to get a gift for yourself too.
- The Nativity Scene: I recently saw a picture of the baby Jesus lying in packed straw, and I finally got around to asking myself the question, ‘Who in their right mind would bring a nice cradle into a manger?’ All the nativity scenes have him in a cute cot, what if there was no cot? It would just have been as beautiful and glorious, because the miracle that happened that day was more than a cute picture’s worth.
- The Joy: Christmas time is electric; it goes more than a day and just happens to blend into the New Year celebrations. It’s the longest holiday some people get to enjoy in a year, so is it any wonder they feel joyful?
- Remembering the Christmas story: This is a time for fun, and also for sober reflection. It’s not so far from Easter that we forget the reason the Baby came into the world. At Christmas time, we recognise the solemnity of the birth, the importance of the gifts, the sacrifice that was made when Jesus was hidden in Egypt, the scriptures that were fulfilled at his birth, and ultimately, the love of our God. Sending His Son to become a sacrifice for you and me. That is the true story of Christmas.
- Lots and lots of food: Everywhere you look there is free food, a wide variety that could make you ill if you decide to go on a binge. It’s just one more lovely Christmas tradition.
You might also like:
- Tech Aids for Writers
- Motivational Monday: Richard St. John on 8 Traits of Successful People
- #2016Inspiration: Start Now (Video)
- 8 Motivational Quotes to Take into the New Year
