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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Lifestyle Writer
IT is November, that month when the majority of the working class receive their bonuses for the toil throughout the entire year. While in the past, this period – during which the festive season starts – the hype for the Christmas holiday would have heightened, such is not the case this time around as the majority of people are going about their day to day activities as if no big day like Christmas is around the corner.
By this time in the past, a lot of hullabaloo would have been witnessed as a indication to the holiday that the majority of the world naturally look up to not only because of the Christian connotations and values it has, but also because of the fun, partying, merry-making and activities that are associated with it.
While in the majority of Western countries, preparations for this holiday have already started, with some homesteads already draped with the hollies, Christmas trees, presents as well as the Christmas cards, this side of the world, however, seems to be immersed in other issues far removed from Christmas.
Could it be a case of too much familiarity breeding contempt?
Gogo Munemo of Southerton said the traditional spirit of regarding preparations to do with Xmas in high esteem are no longer part and parcel of the majority of Zimbabweans who are now immersed in “bread and butter issues”.
“Christmas is for commemorating the day that Jesus Christ was born, but history now tells us that we spend a lot on that day, which is not a bad thing. But with the advent of empowerment, and a good number of Zimbabweans running their own businesses, little time is now spent on the preparations since people can now easily go out shopping even on Xmas eve or on the big day itself,” she said.
Gogo Munemo added that even the idea of buying clothes for the holiday beforehand is now a thing of the past as the majority of adults prefer to hang out rather than having something new to wear, noting that these hangouts serve the purpose of interacting with old associates and also doing business.
Those in the Diaspora now choose not to make the long trek home, preferring to stay put in the countries whey they are based as this means earning an extra dollar for themselves.
Thomas Tagura, a top designer who is based in Canada, said he used travel to Zimbabwe every year for Xmas but tightening budgets have stopped all that.
“Yes, this is a big holiday, but ever since my family members and relatives understood that I was working for their own good, they understood why I can’t no longer travel for this holiday,” he said.
Even the majority of shops are no longer recording big business.
“This time around in the past, we would have recorded massive sales, but the trend has shifted since people are now focusing on other issues and they only wait until only a few days before Christmas in order for them to do real shopping,” noted Irene Teguru of Chisipite who runs a flea market stall in Harare’s CBD..
Where has the Christmas spirit gone?
Online Reporter