Christmas is the season to be jolly and merry. This is the period the pressure to appreciate people in your life becomes strong.
Before you know it, gifting turns into a silent competition: who shared the biggest hamper, who gave the most souvenirs.
Love is not measured by how much you spend, but by how intentionally you give. This season, let your gifts reflect thoughtfulness — not financial pressure.
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By the time Detty December is done dettying your wallet, January arrives like an uninvited guest asking for rent, school fees, transport fare, fuel money and data subscription.
Sometimes it is not about even out gifting, it is merely the thought that these people have been a wonderful presence in your life and you want to thank them.
Today I am not going to tell you not to gift, no, I would be guiding you on how to budget for this amazing show of love.
Gifting does not have to leave you financially drained.
The first rule of Christmas gifting is budgeting with honesty. Before stepping into the market or scrolling through online stores, decide how much you can truly afford to spend on gifts — without borrowing, without stealing from rent money and without touching funds meant for January. If your gifting budget is N40,000, then that is your reality. Not N40,000 plus “let me add small something.” Write the figure down and commit to it. Budgeting is not a killjoy; it is a boundary.
Next, write a list of people you genuinely want to gift. This step alone can save you thousands of naira. The gifting pressure in this country is very loud and unspoken. Without a list, you will keep buying gifts out of guilt, obligation or fear of seeming ungrateful. Prioritise! Immediate family, close friends, mentors, or people who have shown up for you during the year. It is okay if the list is short. Appreciation does not require financial exhaustion.
Once the list is ready, match it with appropriate gifting options. This is where many people overspend unnecessarily. Thoughtful gifts do not mean expensive gifts. A well-packaged food item, groceries for parents or elders, Palm oil, rice, seasoning cubes, a bag of fruits, a neatly folded Ankara scarf, a book, a journal with a handwritten note, homemade chin chin or cookies, or even airtime sent with a heartfelt message can communicate care just as effectively as an expensive item. The meaning behind the gift often lasts longer than the gift itself.
When it is time to enter the market, go with intention. December markets are crowded, noisy and emotionally charged. Prices rise quickly and sellers sense urgency. Go with a list of gifts you want to buy and a clear price range for each person. Compare prices, ask questions and resist the urge to shalaye. Avoid the “since I’m already here” mentality — it is one of the fastest ways to overspend.
Timing also matters. Many Nigerians believe gifts must be given on the 25th of December, but this is not a rule of love. Gifts given on the 31st of December or even the 1st of January still carry meaning. Delaying your gifting can help you avoid inflated prices and reduce pressure-driven spending. Anyone who values the relationship will appreciate the thought, not the date on the calendar. Don’t allow the ‘need’ to join the crowd to give gifts on Christmas Day to hold your hand and pocket so you don’t rush to do last minute buying and over spend the money we are trying to save for January.
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It is equally important to release yourself from guilt. Not everyone will receive a gift, and that is okay. Gifting is an expression of love, not a social obligation. A sincere message, a phone call or quality time can sometimes speak louder than that expensive hamper you plan to buy.
Ultimately, Christmas gifting should bring joy to both the giver and the receiver. If gifting leaves you anxious, indebted or financially exposed, then something has gone wrong. Give within your means, plan ahead and remember that January will still demand attention.
