CHRISTMAS IN NIGERIA (MY BIRTHDAY)

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Christmas is a time we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This celebration in Nigeria is family based, the prospect of Christmas in Nigeria is noticeable all around. It is my best season of the year.

Let me give a brief background to what Christmas is like in Nigeria, before delving into the second part of my story (my birthday), this will tell you the mode in which I celebrate my birthday yearly.

Christmas season in Nigeria is a season of celebration for every one, not just the individuals who profess the Christian faith, but for all.

Christmas in Nigeria is a family occasion, this is a period when a great population of Nigerian relatives meet up to celebrate and have fun. Most families, that live in urban areas, travel to their respective villages to celebrate with families and relatives.

This season is full of merriments; there is lots of eating and drinking, giving of gifts and reception of gifts. While it is generally seen as a time of merriments, some Christians see this period as a time a prayer.

I am among the many who see Christmas as a period to make merry, although I do lots of charity work on this same day, since it doubles as my birthday. I was born on the 25 of December, I share birthday with Jesus. Christmas has always been a double celebration for me and my family, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, my birthday is also celebrated.

As we all know, birthday is an occasion when a person celebrates the anniversary of his birth. Birthdays are celebrated in various cultures, moods, and spirit, mine is celebrated in the spirit of Christmas celebration, often gifts, cards and party are inevitable.

This is the period I gather lots of gifts, this gifts ranges from cakes, wrists watches, clothes, shoes, gadgets and money.

These were some gifts I received on my birthday last year.
cakes received

Wines received

In conclusion, A typical Nigerian family Christmas requires great planning. One has to first consider the Christmas meals, the beautifications of homes (decoration) and the gifts. You can't neglect to forget presents (gifts), these are all that you have to put in place to ensure you have an exceptionally joyful Christmas. For me who celebrate my birthday this period, I do not plan only for Christmas, I double my plans. Although my family do most of the planning, so, I worry less, I invite lots of friends and make merry with them.

Below are the pictures of my birthday last year, last year’s celebration was low key and indoor.

I celebrated with family at the internal forum level, then I followed a friend to his village, which is in the country side of Abuja. I took along one of the cakes I got with wines and juices, I never knew it would turn out to be more lively in the country side with the villagers. The women sang for me in their native languages like wise the children, they all prayed for me while Mr. John interpreted for me later on.

My visit to the country side was a shock to Mr. John who never beleived I would follow him to his village not to talk of throwing a party in his village. However, I used the opportunity to try something new last year and it turned out to be great.

I and Mr. John in his family house