Have you ever gone to the market during the holidays? December 25th, January 1st, one word; extreme sports! Not because the market would be crowded, on the contrary, you’d have enough room, but the prices would make you reconsider your life’s choices. The truth is shopping some days earlier is only a little better, yet food makes up a key part of our festivities, we are not just colourful people, we eat to celebrate, and we don’t just eat, we cook lavishly.
Also, most of us have been subtly conditioned to believe that holiday feasting must equal broke-ness after. We think if the table isn’t groaning under the weight of imported grapes, five types of protein, and enough Jollof rice to feed a small army, then we haven’t “arrived.” But in an economy where food inflation has hit record highs, with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reporting food inflation figures frequently crossing the 30% and 40% mark in recent years, the old way of feasting is a fast track to a very dusty January.
So how can you have a holiday feast for your family and friends without breaking the bank? Let’s talk about it.
1. Plan Not To Overspend
Before we get to the recipes, we have to talk about the math. Nigerians spend a staggering percentage of their income on food. Nigeria spends more of its household income on food than almost any other country in the world. When you add the “Holiday Tax”, that mysterious price hike that happens the moment a vendor smells the holidays, you’re looking at a recipe for overspending.
The problem isn’t just the food price; it’s also the lack of a roadmap. We shop with our hearts and our hungry stomachs instead of our spreadsheets, this is what we need to change. The holiday isn’t the time to go with the flow in your spending, it’s the time to stay committed to your financial goals for the year. Truth is, it would likely feel like if you don’t buy that item, the holiday would not be right, but believe us, it’ll come and pass, and you’ll be fine.
2. Buy in Bulk: The Power of “Community Purchase”
If you go to the local supermarket on December 22nd to buy a quarter bag of rice and a 5 litre bottle of oil, you are essentially donating your hard-earned money to inflation.
The secret to budgeting is volume. Buying a 50kg bag of rice and sharing it between three families is often 15-20% cheaper than buying 5kg bags individually.
Partner with friends, siblings, neighbors, or colleagues. Head to wholesale hubs like Mile 12 in Lagos, Bodija in Ibadan, or any major market.
If you need to stock up on non-perishables or high-end kitchen appliances to handle the holiday load? Instead of draining your cash, check out AltMall. You can buy that deep freezer or high-capacity air fryer now and pay in installments. It allows you to keep your cash liquid for fresh produce while securing the equipment you need to stay organized.
3. Swap Factory-Made drinks for Homemade Drinks
Why spend so much on packs of soda or imported wine when you can curate a drink menu at home? There are several mocktail recipes you can recreate, and indigenous drinks like hibiscus juice (zobo) and kunu in its different variations. You can even make infused water; a pitcher of water with cucumber, lemon, and mint leaves looks beautiful on a table and costs next to nothing.
The goal here is healthy and affordable.
4. Waste Not, Want Not: Preserve Leftovers
Without mincing words, we can agree that throwing away food is throwing away money. According to the UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index, household food waste is a massive global issue, and in this economy, it’s a luxury we can’t afford.
In preparing for the festivities, consider portion control. Serve smaller portions initially. People can always go back for seconds. This prevents “plate waste.”
A good way to manage leftovers is also to repurpose food. Yesterday’s fried fish can become today’s fish stew. Yesterday’s white rice can be tossed with vegetables and eggs for a quick “Fried Rice” breakfast.
Lastly, when preparing meals during the holidays, always consider the issue of storage, this is essential. If your power supply is “erratic” (to put it politely), ensure you have a plan.
5. The Alternative Hosting Style
Who says you have to provide everything? The most “budget-friendly” way to have a big feast is the Potluck.
Tell your guests: “I’m providing the Jollof and the drinks. You bring the protein, you bring the salad, and you bring the dessert.” If everyone brings something, it reduces your financial burden by 60% and they are less likely to waste food as their money is now a part of the preparation as well. It also builds community; everyone feels like a contributor to the feast, not just a consumer.
Remember, the festivities might feel long but January is coming and will feel longer if you didn’t manage December well. Shop in moderation, eat what you need, share what you can, and save the rest for the future.
Have a fun family feast and a beautiful holiday.
