Can we start by honestly admitting that the phrase “family holiday” can trigger a very specific kind of anxiety and joy, all at once? It’s the time of year when you are simultaneously bursting with love for your relatives and also wondering if it’s socially acceptable to pretend you’ve lost your voice just to avoid another debate about politics, football, or why you aren’t married yet.
You love them, you really do. But the pressure to create “core memories” while navigating the chaos of school breaks, work deadlines, and a December budget that is already screaming for mercy is… a lot.
The default plan usually involves food, watching a movie that half the room hates, and then more food. But this year, we are suggesting you switch things up, so we’ve come up with five activities that are actually fun, surprisingly affordable, and guaranteed to get even your moody teenage niece to crack a smile (or at least a non-committal grunt of approval).
And because we believe in a “soft life” that doesn’t lead to a “hard January,” we have woven in some tips on how to make these activities lighter on your wallet.
Here is your guide to surviving and actually enjoying the holidays with your favorite people.
1. Host the “Great Nigerian Bake-Off” (Family Edition)
Forget MasterChef. The real drama is about to happen in your kitchen.
There is something deeply satisfying about competitive cooking. It turns a mundane chore into an event. The beauty of this activity is its flexibility. You can go high-end with a multi-course meal challenge, or keep it simple with a “Best Jollof Rice” showdown (prepare for war).
Start by assigning roles. Have a “Head Judge”, usually grandma or grandpa, whose word is final, contestants, and a “cleanup crew” (the losers, which adds a delightful layer of stakes to the game).
This gets everyone off their phones and interacting. Plus, you get a feast out of it.
2. Create a DIY “Cinema Under the Stars” (Even if the “Stars” are Just Your Ceiling)
Going to the cinema as a family of five or six is expensive. By the time you buy tickets, popcorn, and drinks, you have spent a small fortune.
Why not bring the cinema home with a family-friendly movie? If you have a backyard or a balcony, great. If not, your living room works just as well. The key is ambience. Move the furniture, throw all the pillows and duvets on the floor, and turn off the lights. You don’t need a massive TV. A simple, affordable projector connected to a laptop can turn a blank wall into a 100-inch screen. It feels like an event. You can pop your own corn, buy or make drinks in bulk, and even let the children build a “ticket booth” out of cardboard boxes. It’s the little details that make it memorable.
3. The “Local Tourist” Challenge: Explore Your Own City
We often think a holiday requires a passport and a visa. But according to recent travel data, domestic tourism in Nigeria is experiencing a renaissance. Destinations like the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, the Millennium Park in Abuja, or the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta offer incredible experiences right on your doorstep.
Have a deal with your family to play pretend for the day; pretend you are tourists. Don’t just drive past these places like you do every other day. Stop. Take the tour. Read the plaques. Take the cheesy family photo.
Entry fees to many Nigerian landmarks are surprisingly affordable, often ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦5,000 per person. This experience is a fantastic way to teach kids about their heritage and history without it feeling like a school lesson.
4. Family Game Night
Board games have a reputation for being boring, but that’s only if you are playing the wrong ones. Forget Monopoly which we know could take five hours and end in tears. It’s time for modern, high-energy games.
Think games like Charades (using a free app on your phone), Pictionary, or card games like Uno. For a Nigerian twist, try local games that test your knowledge of pop culture or current affairs.
Make it an Olympiad. Keep score over several days. Create a makeshift trophy (a spray-painted wooden spoon works wonders). The winner gets to choose the movie for the next night or gets an exemption from washing dishes.
It’s loud, it’s competitive, and it’s hilarious. It’s impossible to be moody when your uncle is frantically miming “Traffic Jam on Third Mainland Bridge.” This is also great because it is a low-cost activity.
5. The “Volunteer & Give Back” Day
This one might sound less “fun” at first, but stay with us. The holidays are deeply tied to themes of gratitude and community. There is a profound sense of fulfillment, a different kind of joy, that comes from helping others.
It doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. It could be as simple as cleaning out your closets and donating gently used clothes and toys to an orphanage or IDP camp, or cooking a large batch of food and distributing it to the less fortunate in your community, or spending a few hours volunteering at a local home or community center.
For children, this is a powerful lesson in empathy and social responsibility. It shifts the focus from “What am I getting?” to “What can I give?”. It’s a grounding experience that puts your own holiday stress into perspective.
The Best Things Aren’t “Things”
At the end of the day, your family won’t remember how much you spent on them. They will remember how you made them feel. They will remember the flour fight during the bake-off, the terrible acting during Charades, and the quiet satisfaction of helping someone else.
The goal of the holiday isn’t to go broke trying to impress the people who already love you. It’s to connect.
So, take a deep breath. Hide the breakable ornaments. Pick one or two of these activities, and commit to them.
And if you need a financial partner who understands that life is for living, not just for paying bills, remember that The Alternative Bank is here to help you manage and grow your wealth ethically, so you can focus on managing your family’s fun.
Happy Holidays from the AltBank family!
