It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year. December is here!!!
December is often described as a time of joy, celebration, and rest. It’s that one month people look forward to right from the beginning of the year. But behind all the celebrations, December means different things to different people. For some people, it is a season of celebration, while for others, it is a time of personal and professional assessment. While the season brings loneliness for some people, for others it’s a season to catch up with their favorite people.
December is a month for jaiye (enjoyment), as Nigerians put it, and for another group, it is a time to rest. People experience different emotions during these times, and it’s important to briefly explain some of them because they are all valid.
I think the most common emotion people feel is gratitude. Gratitude to God for keeping them throughout the entire year. In my church, we call December “The Time of Judah.” Judah means thanksgiving and celebration. People reflect on the goodness of God in their lives, and even the not-so-good parts, because we believe that good or bad, everything happens together for our good at the end of the day. Testimonies fly everywhere about how God provided, protected, and preserved their lives and the lives of their families.
For some people, December is a time to reflect on the past 11 months and assess the growth they made in the year. They bring out the vision boards, planners, and prayer lists to see the progress they made in the year. For these people, there’s a sense of satisfaction and gratitude for what they have been able to achieve in the year. They celebrate the small wins, acknowledge the character development, and hope for a better year ahead.
But this isn’t the case for everyone who pulls out their planners. For others, December brings disappointment. It reminds them of all the goals they couldn’t achieve and targets they couldn’t meet. They are disappointed by the habits they promised to change but couldn’t. As others document the year’s successes on social media, they often compare themselves with them and wallow in sadness during the festivities.
A lot of other people see this period as a season of a fresh start. They are excited about the beginning of the new year, which feels like a clean slate. This is the time they make New Year resolutions, map out action plans, and write down goals. They cannot wait for 2026. These people are determined to make next year count.
Sadly, not everyone is celebrating during this time of the year. For them, December brings a sense of dread, reminding them of the people they lost along the way. The season makes their grief feel deeper because it reminds them of the people who should have been there to celebrate with them. Even though they try to celebrate with others, they can’t help but think about their loved ones. It’s a heavy time for them, and if you fall in this category, my heart goes out to you.
For people who left their home country to start life somewhere new, December is not easy. It’s even worse if it’s their first Christmas away from home. While others use this period to spend time with their loved ones, they spend it away from theirs. They do not eat the food they would usually eat on Christmas Day, nor do they enjoy the familiar rituals of the season. I spoke to a friend who left Nigeria a few months ago about this, and I think I will write another post on how to navigate this time as a new emigrant.
In Nigeria, December is called “Detty December.” What this basically means is being outside with friends and having a blast. For people who want to participate in Detty December, the season comes with a lot of pressure. Pressure to feel among and to belong. People stress themselves searching for large sums of money to attend concerts, buy tables at the club, buy new clothes, and wigs. The season comes with a lot of pressure to outshine other people and be the talk of every show.
While some people want to be outside, others want to be indoors to rest. The festive season means rest from all the stress of the year. The plan is simple: food, TV, and bed—nothing more, nothing less. They are not excited or sad, just exhausted, so they take this period to recharge.
Families are large, and as people grow and age, they scatter across the country and the globe. The season is a time for reunion. Everyone looks forward to seeing a best friend or favorite cousin. Parents look forward to seeing their children, and siblings look forward to seeing each other. It’s one time of the year when the house is full of familiar faces, catching up and making the most of the little time they get to share.
There are people who just genuinely love the season. The lights, food, fireworks, movies, and decorations make them joyous. They love the energy in the air, love everywhere, and the break from school and work.
So, dear reader, what does the festive season mean to you?
Thank you for reading 🤍
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🔗 @estella.
Grace. Growth. Greatness. ✨