NOSTALGIC HOLIDAY MEMORIES: REFLECTIONS ON CHILDHOOD CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!!! These words bring me joy every time I hear them. Yet this year’s Christmas got me reflecting on my childhood Christmas memories. It didn’t feel like Christmas. For many of us, Christmas memories are some of the most cherished and nostalgically remembered of our childhoods. I am grateful that my past experiences during the holiday season have stayed with me and continue to influence my celebrations today.

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, and for many of us, it is also a time of tradition and nostalgia. As a child growing up in Nigeria, Christmas was always a special time of year for me. From waking up early on Christmas morning, to spending time with family and friends, to wearing Christmas dresses, to attending church services and singing Christmas carols, there were so many memorable moments that made the holiday season truly special.

In this blog post, I want to share some of my favourite childhood Christmas memories and how they continue to shape my holiday traditions today.

Christmas Parties

I lived on a street where we had a yearly Christmas party. All the neighbours donated towards the big day, while the children provided entertainment. I remember we went for rehearsals some weeks before Christmas. A lovely lady called Gloria taught us different carols and songs that were great for the festive season. We also did a lot of cultural dances. It was always a lovely experience for everyone. My street was called Close 41. It’s a memory I still hold dear to my heart.

I have fond memories of the amusement park, Ikoyi Club, parties, and restaurants my dad took us to as kids. These were just some of the fun activities we enjoyed. In addition, visits from relatives and friends, as well as our own visits to their homes, fostered a strong sense of community and brought us all together.

Playing Late into the Night

The sound of knockouts(“Banga” as we called it), fireworks, chicken frying in the kitchen, and children playing were part of what gave me joy during Christmas. For some reason, we were allowed to play till midnight on Christmas eve. It was always fun running in and out of the house, screaming and enjoying the atmosphere of joy and excitement.

I once snuck into the kitchen and stole a fried chicken thigh, planning to eat it outside with my friends. I hid it in my pocket. However, as I was running out the door, my dad called out to me and asked where I was going. I told him I was going to play with my friends, but he kept questioning me. By the time I finally got outside, the chicken had burnt my thigh and left a red spot on it. The incident served as a reminder to never steal chicken again, although I enjoyed eating it. Lol!

Carol Services and Christmas Decorations

Listening to angelic voices sing while gazing at beautiful Christmas decorations is an unparalleled experience. I find attending and participating in Christmas carol services enjoyable and uplifting, and I appreciate the festive atmosphere they create.

Decorating my home at Christmas was always a joy; from decorations that hung from the ceiling to the Christmas lights placed on the tree outside, they increased the joy of Christmas for me. To date, Christmas decorations bring joy to my heart whenever I see them. I need to buy a Christmas tree, I am surprised I haven’t decorated my home in a while.

Travelling Home

As is our culture in Nigeria, most people travel to their hometowns or villages for Christmas. As a child, it was one of the fun things for me as I got to see cousins and other relatives who lived in our hometown. Being part of a multicultural family, I got the best of both worlds, especially the different foods like starch and Banga, Owgho, Ofeonubu, Oha, and Abacha(African Salad), to mention a few.

I had a great time with my cousins and loved experiencing all the different cultural traditions, like the masquerades dancing in my mom’s hometown. It was always so interesting to me. Although I haven’t been back home in years, those memories will always remain with me.

Making The Best of Christmas

Christmas may not be as exciting as it used to be, but I still try to make it as beautiful and enjoyable as possible. I still sing my favourite Christmas carols and spend time with my family, but I will never forget my childhood Christmas memories.

I hope that by sharing my reflections on childhood Christmas memories, I have brought a bit of holiday cheer to your day and perhaps even inspired you to reflect on your childhood Christmas memories.

What are your fondest childhood Christmas memories? I know it’s two days after Christmas, but I’d love to hear about them.