For the previous years, my end-of-year activities were always unplanned but always ladened with pleasant surprises. This may be due to the fact that I was born in December or just because luck has always had a soft spot for me, especially at the end of my birth month. I got some pleasant gifts last year, and I can remember someone getting me a picture frame (the first of its kind) in 2021, someone taking me out in 2020, and so on. Aside from the pleasant gifts, I spent last year’s Christmas and new year at my parents' place, which I never planned. I just got a call from my other siblings that they are in town and they want us to surprise my parents, and I joined the crew! It was one of the most exciting moments of my life. I have never seen my parents so happy. Aside from this being an idea for the end of the year’s festive plan, I attended some love feast events in between the visit to my parents' place (places I'd already indicated my attendance at before my siblings came up with the surprise party). We exchanged gifts at the events and had fun. I’ve had the privilege of organizing several love feasts, so I was glad I could finally be an attendee after a long time. The past festive seasons have been splendid, and if I could go back in time, I'd definitely want to have more of those pleasant surprises. Since the prompt is up, it won’t be a bad idea to plan this season for the first time. What’s in store for this year?
This year has been quite challenging, especially in Nigeria. Economic instability affected businesses (mine included). I got hit so hard, but thank God we are back! In view of this and other economic challenges, the first thing I’ll work on is a well-defined budget. I have church groups, friends, nephews, cousins, family members, and extended family peeps. No matter the financial demand to plan any family meeting, party, or get-together, I have a budget that must not be exceeded, no matter what! I had once made this mistake where I had so much and spent almost everything, all in the name of “festive enjoyment.” I remember I had a thirteenth-month salary, a festive allowance, company festive gifts, and some extra giveaways from people in the year 2019. I was so happy that I was saying yes to almost every expense coming my way. By January, it looked as if I had made a big donation to charity and was expecting blessings from the almighty! “My eye clear!” I couldn’t forget how I had to manage and the hardship I endured till the end of January to get another salary. I told myself never to have that repetition ever again!
Asides the budget, I will revisit restaurants and other recreational centers and equally check with my caterers to compare their festive packages. Between mid-November and December, I’ll confirm the events I need to attend and also take a record of those who might want to visit me. I’ll also make arrangements for miscellaneous expenses, as there are people who just bump in (happens almost every year) without giving prior notice.
As boring as this may sound, I think now is the time to plan for all I want to achieve next year. I won’t just plan for the festive season. The traditional “planning by January" approach is not the best for planning a new year (for me, though). This is just by the way. Back to the festive season, I’ll write out and itemize my festive plan and tick off each achievement as I execute it.
I plan to feast, but more than the enjoyment, it’s better to have a budget and a plan!
