What’s up for the long holiday?

Tawanda Matanhire Lifestyle Reporter
Yes, it is that December longest holiday again. Ever wondered what you will be doing this festive season? Usually it’s coupled with so much fun especially towards the end as Christmas and New Year celebrations brace the season.

While it is a good thing to look forward to the best of the holidays, it is wise to take into account the time we spend making efforts to make it the best time of our lives which we can always refer to.

Usually you hear some saying, “At Christmas we had so much fun at the lake” or “we visited the caves and enjoyed the experience” or maybe “we visited our grandparents in the rural areas and experienced quite an interesting holiday”.

Well these are some of the past experiences.

What is it that will make a mark this longest festive encounter? Interestingly one cannot ignore many parties that surround the many environments as many take this opportunity to celebrate many of the achievements for the past years be it in graduations, birthdays , anniversaries as well as weddings as members of the family and relatives will be available as they take a break from work.

Some even come back from the Diaspora because it is of cause the most favourable time of the year when everyone is in the spirit of celebrating while others also take an opportunity to travel around the world taking a break from the busy school schedules.

Going around the city of Harare many teens and youths seem to have it all well planned despite parents in our country going through an array of financial constrains.

“I do not usually get an opportunity to serve at our local church because most of the time I will be focusing on my school work but this holiday I will engage in church activities and make sure after the holidays I will feel that I did something for God and also for other people,” said Heather Kupfuma.

“This holiday my parents are taking us to see my granny in our rural home and am excited because I last saw her last year on our routine yearly visits,” said Takudzwa Mkonto.

“Parties, parties everywhere my friend, my ear is just open to hear the sound of loud music and my legs are there to take me for such endeavours,”said Marshal Rapukeni.

While others are focusing on the fun associated with the holiday others see it as an opportunity to raise pocket money engaging in various money making projects or even part time jobs as they prepare for next year.

Many shops employ part timers to help them ease their workload as it increases at this time of the year when people do their Christmas shopping.

Shops prefer students because they know they will have less problems associated with relieving them of their duties as many of them will be going back to school.

For many parents this shows an element of responsibility on the part of a child as he or she grows up to see both sides of life.

“I will be working at our family flower shop for the holidays and will be helping my parents because flowers sell more at this time of the year,” said Ashley Rambanepasi.

“I would rather get a job in a boutique and work for the holidays because I want to enjoy Christmas knowing that am also buying whatever I want with my money,” said Charity Muza.

“I’m keeping chickens just to make extra cash for my school uniform and part of my fees,” said Jeremiah Nkomo.

However, for some the holiday means trouble in different forms as most kids have absolutely nothing to do with their time.

Some will spend most of their time roaming in the streets and the usual case when pupils have nothing to do and are not closely monitored they end up doing the most unpleasant stuff like drug abuse, hooliganism and even sexual activities and many other things.

In recent years, there was a case of some school students who stole a parent’s car but unfortunately had an accident and some of the students died.

Others would sneak out at night for parties and fate met up with them when they were arrested for prostitution and their parents had to be called to their shame.

Such bad reports make the holidays seem bad whereas they are meant

for the best of times, to relax the mind as well as plan for the forthcoming

future.

“I just want to enjoy Christmas

and New Year celebrations with my family and friends in whatever way it presents itself and take a break from school so

that when I am back in school I will not think of having fun, it’s serious school business,” said Prince Shona from Avondale.

Holidays are meant to take a break from the norm and relax the mind which is a good exercise if it is done in the correct essence.

Whatever you plan to do remember you have to be responsible and stay out of trouble and make good use of your time. Stay off drugs and sex.