FEATURE : The Christmas craze

Christmas is that time of the year when people spend like crazy. However, you can spend less this festive season and still have a splendid time, writes Maria Kaitesi. Last Christmas I bought myself a beautiful brown coffee polka dotted dress for Christmas, just when polka dots were the on thing. I wore it to church thinking that I would be overwhelmed with compliments but I turned out to be a laughing stock. You are probably thinking ‘but why when she was wearing a cute dress?’ I also thought so until I saw my friends hysterically laughing at me. They said wearing a new cloth for Christmas is so old-fashioned and childish. I have probably gotten you thinking of those childhood memories where you thought Christmas was all about wearing new clothes, socks and shoes. When I come to think of it now, I realise it’s not cost effective to purchase new attire every Christmas especially if you are not a child. Keeping it simple and elegant is the way to go! That pair of denim jeans or your nice pants blended with a nice top or shirt will give you a sizzling hot look this Christmas. Spending Christmas in your village is another way to cut down on those costs. If you come to think of it, most people in the villages grow their own food so most of the food stuffs on your shopping list is in your mother or grand mother’s garden. How cost effective that is! If you have watched many Christmas movies then you know who night angels are. These are people who move to different houses in their neighbourhood on the night before Christmas wishing them a merry Christmas. If you have experienced it live before, then you know how good it feels. However, besides the movies, it happens in the villages. Every time the night angels come to my village, I feel like I am in California or Los Angeles. Replacing that plastic artificial Christmas tree with the natural one is another way to reduce those expenses this Christmas. Not only does the natural Christmas tree have a beautiful fragrance but it has a way of making the whole house look colourful. You can enhance that tree by putting different colours of balloons, Christmas cards, cotton, sweets and then place those boxes of gifts right under it. It will make your house look stunningly beautiful and arouse that Christmas mood. The kids would want you to take them to Santa Claus but I guess they would love it better if Santa Claus was in their house. One of the relatives could dress up like Santa Claus and do exactly what Santa Claus does-give gifts and tell those rib-cracking child-like jokes. You don’t have to drive miles and pay yet you can have Santa Claus in your house. During the festive season, prices of different goods are usually abnormally hiked. So next time do your shopping early enough so you do not have to spend a lot yet you could have avoided those extra expenses. Keep in mind that you still have needs to meet after Christmas so spend wisely. Christmas is not a shopping spree of sorts so lets go cost effective and we will still have a beautiful time! Above all, let us keep in mind the reason for the season and that is Jesus so remember to be grateful to him as you go through this season. As hens and cows lay down their lives for you this Christmas, may you remember the one who laid down his life for you this Christmas. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!! m.kaitesi@yahoo.com