Christmas decorations of Eko hotel round about by Zenith Bank 2022
The earliest feel of Christmas in my city Lagos is usually the decoration of Ajose Adeogun streets of Victoria island by Zenith Bank (one of the foremost banks in Nigeria) early in November annually. The headquarters of Zenith bank and several branches and subsidiaries of the bank are on the street, so street is sometimes called Zenith Bank street.
Truth be told, the decorations on that street is by far more sophisticated than any other Christmas decoration in Lagos. In fact in December 2019, popular American rapper Cardi B also seized the opportunity of her trip to Nigeria to take some photos around the street.
Caption: Cardi B 2019 posing on Zenith bank road Lagos. Photo credit thenet.ng.
While I enjoyed reading the google festive traditions round the globe, I got some chills remembering the good old day and how Christmas traditions have evolved overtime.
Christmas in Nigeria in the 80s and 90s
Christmas used to be exciting and the earliest sign of Christmas for most kids back then was parents taking our measurement for cloth and shoes as early as September/October presiding the Christmas. In fact foot measurements used to be taken by our moms with broomstick, with extra allowance for the possible growth in size from time of purchase to Christmas when we were to rock the shoes. My siblings and I would make paper flowers, beautifully colored for our living room about a week to Christmas. On the d-day we would go to church early enough. On our return, it’s very likely that we are welcomed with good jellof rice meal and plenty of proteins as never during the regular course of the year. We would watch some movies on our black and white Television and then go visiting our relatives and family friends who would gift us mint currencies (the best part of the day) . There was always exchange of food between neighbors and close by friends and relatives, not to forget the exchange of Christmas greeting cards. The sound of fireworks and knockouts often fill the nights from Christmas Eve to the new year.
Present day Christmas in Nigeria
Although some of the good old traditions of returning back to ones origin town/village, gifting and meal sharing still remain till date, there are far newer ways of celebration the festivities these days. Christmas trees and lighting decorations are not readily available to all in different sizes and quality depending on means. People look for fun places to go to, Beaches, Christmas concerts, fancy restaurants, Christmas fun and games villages, cinemas and so on. There is still the fireworks but in selected areas. Greeting cards have since been substituted with mobile phone messages and digital cards. I will not forget to mention that unlike what it used to be, these days everything is usually very expensive during the yuletide
my Christmas tree 2022
This Christmas like most others I had time out with my family at the Lagos wonderland.
- How did you spend your Christmas?
- Has there been much changes the way the festivities are celebrated now
Lets share memories from 2022 Christmas in this photo album.
check out the video
happy holidays.
keep guiding
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