Nyeri: With slightly over a month before the world ushers in the Christmas revelries, a section of Nyeri residents have hinted at how they plan to observe the festivities.
According to Kenya News Agency, this is notwithstanding the huge expenditure that is often synonymous with the celebrations owing to lavish parties and expensive getaways.
But as December 25 beckons, some parents are already planning how they will celebrate the festivities regardless of the prevailing tough financial times currently facing the country. For Mary Wanjiru, a dressmaker, Christmas needs prior planning to avoid last-minute disappointment. To avoid a last-minute rush, Wanjiru says she began her planning as early as August this year by putting some money in a sinking fund.
“Christmas is a joyous season and I want my children to celebrate it to the fullest,” Wanjiru explains. “But things are quite expensive especially when it comes to food, clothes, and small treats for the family members. I realised that unless I began planning early, I would find myself struggling to foot the bills once the festivities got underway,” she added. The mother of three says she plans to start purchasing wheat flour, rice, cooking oil, and chicken in advance before prices shoot up in December. She also hopes to spend another Sh.5,000 for her children’s attire just to make the occasion memorable for the young kids.
Unlike Mary, whose preparation for the holiday season was gradual, Samuel Kibui prefers to budget everything at once. Kibui, who works as a PSV matatu driver in Nyeri, states that while he has always longed for the Christmas revelries, he is ever aware that everything boils down to how much money he has at his disposal. His decision to live within his means is borne from the fact that his occupation does not pay much and therefore prudence is key if he is to avoid falling prey to unplanned borrowing.
On his part, Samuel Mwangi believes Christmas is incomplete without having a family union. He intends to spend the Christmas holiday in Mathira with his family and has set aside Sh 10,000 to cater for food and transport. He is, however, worried the pressures of the festive season and the urge to gratify the needs of the family could negatively affect many parents who are barely struggling to make it financially.
For traders like Grace Wangui, the holiday season is a double-edged sword. While on one hand, she will have to contend with making the day a joy for her family, the day also presents an opportunity to make a fortune from her business due to an increase in the number of clients. She says December is usually her busiest month, but even she has noticed that customers are more careful with how they spend.
Be that as it may, all these parents share one thing in common: Christmas is about togetherness more than anything money can buy. And as long as you have a family, your Christmas is assured!
