By Angela Mutiso And Ochara Clive
Having a fun, wholesome holiday without breaking the bank
Ah, Christmas season! That all-too-familiar time when the workplace slows down, and the streets start to buzz with holiday cheer. It’s the season when many of us sneak off early from work or close shop a bit earlier than usual. For those who enjoy a drink, it’s the perfect excuse to meet up with friends for a beer or two before the grand holiday exodus begins.
Soon enough, families will be getting into cars, ready to make the long journey to the village, a tradition that holds a special place in the hearts of many Kenyans. There’s something magical about celebrating the season with family, especially when little ones are involved. Their exhilaration brings the holiday spirit to life in a beautiful way.
For those staying behind in Nairobi, Christmas transforms the city into something magical. It’s the introvert’s dream: no bustling crowds, no traffic jams. The streets are eerily empty. For once, the city seems to align with the vision of its original planners—a serene, orderly paradise.
The Price Tag of Christmas
Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one of the priciest. WorldRemit, in its annual Cost of Christmas Around the World study, gives us a glimpse of just how much the holiday season can drain your wallet. With prices rising faster than Santa’s sleigh, the festive cheer often comes at a hefty price for gifts, food, and decorations.
WorldRemit breaks Christmas costs into three main culprits:
- Decorations: Let’s face it; Christmas without fairy lights and shiny baubles feels incomplete. But these festive trinkets tend to be rather pricey.
- Christmas dinner: This is the time to eat like royalty, indulging in all your favorite festive dishes. Unsurprisingly, food gobbles up a big portion of the holiday budget.
- Gifts: Whether you’re splurging on the latest gadget or regifting that scented candle you never opened, presents are at the heart of the season—and a quick way to drain your savings.
In Kenya, the 2023 Cost of Christmas report revealed that the average family spent $215, broken down as follows:
- Food: $46 (21%)
- Decorations: $49 (23%)
- Gifts: $120 (56%)
It’s clear that while the season brings joy, it also demands careful financial planning. For many families, these costs can add up to a significant strain. Balancing the cheer of Christmas with its many little expenses is no small feat, but with some thoughtful budgeting, it’s possible to enjoy the festivities without breaking the bank.
Planning is key. The last ten days of December, from the 20th to the 31st, are when you can truly savor the value of every shilling spent. But before you get there, “penny pinching” is a smart move during the first 20 days of the month—patience pays off when you finally unwind during the festive climax.
Here are some other smart ways to enjoy the holidays without overspending:
- Plan Ahead (and Avoid Becoming a Christmas Meme)
December is the prime socializing season. The friends who left town years ago are back, ready to relive old memories, and invitations to hang out, come faster than New Year’s resolutions you’ll never keep. However: don’t be that guy. You know, the one who “pops out” for a soda on December 20th and comes back two days later, broke, with no shoes and a story no one believes.
The trick? Don’t be spontaneous. Not every invite deserves a yes. Think of your social calendar as a buffet; you can’t eat everything, so be selective. Save your energy (and your cash) for meaningful meetings. It’s better to leave people wondering where you’ve been than why you’re still out.
Christmas can be a time of indulgence, but it’s wise to think ahead. The festive season is followed by what many Kenyans call “Njaanuary.” The expenses of the holidays can hit hard when the new year rolls around, especially if you have a family to care for. Setting aside an emergency fund for January can be a lifesaver, ensuring you start the year on a stable footing.
- Take Advantage of Special Offers
Here’s the good news: the holiday season is a discount paradise. From November straight through to New Year’s, retail stores and online platforms like Jumia are throwing deals your way. Flash sales, Black Friday madness, and “clearance” deals that sound too good to be true, but sometimes aren’t.
If you play it smart, you can score Christmas gifts and dinner supplies at half their usual prices. Just don’t let the thrill of a discount trick you into buying things you don’t need. Remember, nobody needs three toasters, even if they’re 70% off.
- Give Out Charity at Christmas
While this might not seem like a typical cost-saving tip, it actually kind of is. There’s something magical about giving during the holidays. Words can’t fully capture the feeling of being the reason behind someone else’s smile. They say you should give from the heart and expect nothing in return, but here’s the twist: life has a funny way of rewarding generosity. Somehow, your good deeds come full circle—like finding the last parking spot at the mall or snagging an unexpected discount on that Christmas goat. So, this year, consider giving a little extra to those in need. You might just find that your own blessings line up in the most unexpected ways.
- Skip the “Keeping Up with the Joneses” Mentality
Finally, remind yourself that the holidays are about memories, not materialism. Nobody remembers the fancy napkins or the lavish table settings. But they’ll remember the laughter, love, and your uncle’s awful karaoke rendition of “Jingle Bells.
At its core, Christmas isn’t about maxed-out credit cards or picture-perfect table settings. It’s about the joy of togetherness, the warmth of shared laughter, and the little moments that make memories worth cherishing. So, plan wisely, spend thoughtfully, and give generously—not just with your wallet, but with your time and love. Let this festive season be a reminder that the best gifts are the ones that money can’t buy. Because when all is said and done, the true magic of Christmas lies not in what you spend, but in the hearts, you touch and the joy you spread.
Angela Mutiso is the editorial consultant of the Accountant Journal – cananews@gmail.com, Ochara Clive is a Business writer and entrepreneur.
