10 unique Christmas traditions Nigerians love to celebrate

At last, December has arrived! It’s the season when Christmas decorations and lights brighten offices, schools, churches, streets, and shopping malls while the sound of fireworks echoes across the nation.

December is the time when many Nigerians return to their villages or country homes to celebrate with family and friends before resuming work or business in January. It’s a season for families to reunite, share meals and drinks, and exchange gifts.

For many Nigerians, the holiday season is marked by several typical customs. If you’re new to the country and want to know how to celebrate Christmas Naija-style, we’ve got you covered.

Below are some traditions that Nigerians widely practice to make the most of this festive season:

1. Father Christmas

The Christmas period is when children look forward to seeing “Santa Claus”, popularly known as “Father Christmas” in Nigeria, and receiving gifts and goody bags.

Churches, schools, and organisations often invite Father Christmas, who is placed in a room while children are brought to him to receive their gifts.

Most Nigerian kids are usually terrified during this activity because, trust me, Father Christmas is so different from Santa Claus, but we’re all cool with that. It’s part of the process. Nowadays, most workplaces hold “Secret Santa” gatherings for adults where employees exchange gifts and make Santa wish lists. The good news is that both concepts are the same, aside from the name confusion.

The arrival of Father Christmas from “Rome” is one tradition Nigerians embrace and fervently celebrate.

2. Christmas Tree, Decorations and Lights

What is Christmas in Nigeria without decorations? How else would we set the mood? Whether in churches, homes, or organisations, Nigerians look forward to lavishly decorating for Christmas, much like people do in most other countries.

Families decorate windows, doors, and trees with golden balls, ribbons, and lighting strings. Major office buildings and shopping centres are lit up for Christmas, and the main streets are beautifully adorned. The Christmas decorations add to the festive cheer, with Christmas songs playing everywhere. What a way to set the mood.

3. Christmas Clothes, Shoes, and Hair

Nigerian parents love buying new clothes, shoes, and hairstyles for their children to celebrate Christmas. This is one of the traditions Nigerians truly enjoy. Nigerians and looking good, especially for a worldwide celebration like Christmas, go hand in hand. Trust them to go all out when shopping for the finest clothing on Christmas Day. This important tradition increases the festive fun and excitement.

However, the biggest stakeholder in Christmas attire, hairstyles, footwear, etc., is children. Families often set aside a budget for buying things for their kids, and they certainly look forward to it. As a parent, you dare not miss this most important activity.

4. Knock-outs and Fireworks

Nigerians commonly refer to fireworks or firecrackers as “knock-outs” or “bangers”. Almost every Nigerian sets off different fireworks during this period, typically starting on Christmas Eve and lasting until the New Year. Some families even go so far as to purchase bigger fireworks, hold a small ceremony, record videos, and post them online or on their family pages. Younger kids often use the tradition to pull practical jokes on passersby by throwing firecrackers around when they’re not looking.

The tradition is thrilling because of the lights and the adrenaline rush that accompanies the knockouts. It’s also a sound we are all familiar with and eagerly anticipate.

5. Carol Service

This is one tradition Nigerians share with other nationalities. The Christmas season is incomplete without carol services. Most churches in Nigeria hold carol services in the weeks leading up to Christmas, consisting of hymns about Christmas and readings from the Gospels telling the Christmas story. Many candles are lit around the church, and sometimes, the congregation holds candles to see by.

A carol service is the name for a Christmas church service, and Christmas carols are sung by the students who practice for the event during December.

Many organisations also offer carol services to interested employees. Churches usually organise carol services for their members and anyone who happens to find their way to the church. Food, dancing, games, and singing are some of the activities included in this service. It’s truly a season to be jolly!

The tradition is thrilling because of the lights and the adrenaline rush that accompanies the knockouts. It’s also a sound we are all familiar with and eagerly anticipate.

5. Carol Service

This is one tradition Nigerians share with other nationalities. The Christmas season is incomplete without carol services. Most churches in Nigeria hold carol services in the weeks leading up to Christmas, consisting of hymns about Christmas and readings from the Gospels telling the Christmas story. Many candles are lit around the church, and sometimes, the congregation holds candles to see by.

A carol service is the name for a Christmas church service, and Christmas carols are sung by the students who practice for the event during December.

Many organisations also offer carol services to interested employees. Churches usually organise carol services for their members and anyone who happens to find their way to the church. Food, dancing, games, and singing are some of the activities included in this service. It’s truly a season to be jolly!

6. Christmas Chicken/Turkey

Christmas dinner is a meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Day. This meal can take place anytime from the evening of Christmas Eve to Christmas Day itself. The meals are often rich and prepared with love. In Nigeria, Christmas rice is a must, usually served with either chicken or turkey.

Many families kill the chicken themselves, while others prefer dressed ones. Dressing the chicken and cooking is an activity that strengthens special family bonds in Nigeria because all hands are usually on deck, and it is accompanied by lots of conversations and inside jokes.

6. Christmas Chicken/Turkey

Christmas dinner is a meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Day. This meal can take place anytime from the evening of Christmas Eve to Christmas Day itself. The meals are often rich and prepared with love. In Nigeria, Christmas rice is a must, usually served with either chicken or turkey.

Many families kill the chicken themselves, while others prefer dressed ones. Dressing the chicken and cooking is an activity that strengthens special family bonds in Nigeria because all hands are usually on deck, and it is accompanied by lots of conversations and inside jokes.

7. Christmas Rice

There’s no better time to taste the original Naija jollof rice than at Christmas. Of course, jollof rice is also served during weddings or funerals, but Christmas jollof rice remains the best. Friends often ask the most common question during this period: “Where is the location?” or “Where’s my Christmas rice?”

Having rice on hand for visitors who call on you at Christmas is a national tradition, often served in large coolers along with numerous side dishes. Depending on the family’s budget, the rice can be topped with chicken or goat meat and served with additional appetizers or desserts. As mentioned above, rice prepared on Christmas Day usually has a distinct, mouthwatering taste, and every Nigerian can attest to this. The extra seasoning is indeed in the season.

8. Christmas Movies

Watching Christmas movies under a cosy blanket with a bucket of popcorn and chicken wings is a fun way to spend time with family or friends. Classic movies often transport us back in time, reliving fond childhood memories and reflecting on simpler days. The Christmas season is incomplete without watching a Christmas-themed movie at home or the cinema.

Many Christmas stories have been adapted into films and TV specials, which are broadcast repeatedly during the holiday season. Since the popularisation of home video in the 1980s, these films have been sold and resold yearly during the holiday shopping season.

9. Christmas Parties

Christmas parties are social gatherings that celebrate the holidays and the blessings of the year. They often include food, drinks, festive decorations, and activities. When planning a Christmas party, it’s essential to send out invitations with plenty of notice, especially if the event is on Christmas Eve or a weekend in December. Some popular Christmas party ideas include a movie marathon, karaoke, Christmas bake-offs, Christmas carol-oke, writing letters to Santa, and Christmas cocktail-making, among others.

10. Christmas Gifts

Christmas gifts are presents exchanged in celebration of Christmas. They are often given on December 25th. The practice of gift-giving at Christmas can be traced back to the biblical story of the Three Wise Men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus.

Regularly showing your love and appreciation through gifts can help strengthen and maintain bonds over time. In essence, gifts are more than just items; they are expressions of love, gratitude, and thoughtfulness. They connect people, create joy, and leave lasting imprints on hearts, especially during Christmas.