December in Nigeria has its own economy, one driven by Detty December plans, last-minute flights, and the collective urge to enjoy the holiday season after surviving the year. For some, that means stretching savings to make room for memories. For others, it’s about investing heavily in peace, rest, or reconnection.

We asked four Nigerians how much they’re budgeting for December and what’s taking the most significant cut of their money.

“We’ve been working all year, so this December, our ₦400k is strictly for enjoyment” — Zainab, 23

Every December, my friends and I make an effort to spend time together, even if it’s just for a day. The five of us, all women, met at the university. We graduated two years ago, and life threw us in different directions. One moved to the US this year for grad school, and the rest of us have been caught up in the grind — work, bills, and Lagos stress.

Last December, we spent a sunny afternoon at Tarkwa Bay. It turned out to be the last time we were all together. None of us realised how quickly adulthood would swallow our time. So, this December, we’re determined to make it count again.

We’ve agreed to skip the beach this time and go to a music festival and maybe a house party — just vibes, no stress. Between the four of us still here, we’ve budgeted ₦400k for the whole thing, about ₦100k from my end. It should cover a shared hotel room, food, transport, and tickets for both outings.

We started saving in August, putting ₦25k each month into a joint Piggyvest account. It feels like our little rebellion against the year’s chaos, something to look forward to. We don’t even know which festival we’ll attend yet, but we’ve been curating a list and arguing about who gets aux rights. If all goes well, we’ll spend at least two weekends together this December, just like old times.

“I’ve worked all year without a single break, so spending ₦5 million on peace of mind doesn’t feel excessive, it feels necessary” — Monsur, 42

I’m a medical practitioner, and this year, I promised myself I wouldn’t spend my December on hospital floors or in traffic between shifts. I’ve taken only sick leaves all year — no real break or reset. So, when my annual leave was approved for December 8th through the end of the month, I decided to spend the days out of Lagos.

My plan is simple: three weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. I spent my December in Rwanda two years ago, and it reminded me that peace of mind is a luxury worth saving for. This year, I’m doing it again. I’ve set aside ₦5 million for the entire trip, covering flights, accommodation, food, experiences, and a small allowance for indulgence—maybe a nice dinner, a massage, or something spontaneous that makes the trip feel truly earned.

I’m not great at planning, so I hired a travel planner to handle the details. They charged 5% of the total, about ₦250k, but it’s worth it for the convenience. I just told them I want a mix of quiet and adventure: a few nights in the city, some time in nature, and no Lagos-style chaos.

Everything is now set: tickets are booked, and the itinerary is confirmed. It’s the only thing that’s kept me going these past few weeks. After months of handling double shifts and barely sleeping, I’m finally counting down to rest. This December, I’m choosing silence over sirens, calm over chaos, and I don’t feel guilty about it.

“With eight guys splitting costs, ₦150k buys us raves, shortlets, and bragging rights” — Malik, 26

I live in Abeokuta, and honestly, December there is too calm for my liking. So every year, from around the 28th to the 2nd of January, I pack my bags and head to Lagos. That’s when my year officially ends and begins.

Seven of my friends and I always book a shortlet for five days. It’s usually a four-bedroom apartment that can comfortably fit all of us. Depending on the area, a night goes for anywhere between ₦35k and ₦100k, but we budget around ₦50k each for accommodation. 

We plan our Lagos trip around raves. Each night has a different show or party, and we already know which ones we’re targeting. Between Uber rides, food deliveries, concert tickets, and random hangouts with other friends in Lagos, I usually spend up to ₦150k in total. It’s not small money, but when you split the costs with seven other people, it feels lighter.

It’s become a ritual at this point: the noise, the lights, the music that goes till dawn. Abeokuta is home, but Lagos gives me that little dose of chaos I need before the year ends. Once January hits, I return to quiet streets and normal life, but for those five days, I let Lagos swallow me whole.

“₦4 million for one week at Lakowe Lakes, my husband calls it love, I call it luxury well spent” — Aminata, 24

My husband only comes home to Nigeria once a year, every December. It’s our month to bridge the distance and be present together. Last year, we spent the holidays at a family-owned apartment in Eko Atlantic. It sounded perfect: quiet, exclusive, city views, until we got there. It was too quiet. The place was beautiful, but it was far from everything. No shops, no restaurants, no real energy. Each time we wanted to go out, we had to call a relative to drive us. We ended up staying indoors most of the time, watching movies and occasionally stepping out to the beach. It was peaceful, yes, but I’m a sucker for activities, and that peace got boring fast.

So this year, we’re doing things differently. We’ll be booking a week at Lakowe Lakes Resort. The plan is to do everything, from golf and cycling to boating, yoga, and archery. The resort offers a variety of activities, including a spa, a pool, and a movie night under the stars, which I’m already obsessed with.

Accommodation alone costs about $195 per night, roughly ₦280k, and we’ll be there for a week, so that’s about ₦2 million. My husband’s covering everything, and we’ve budgeted around ₦4 million for food, activities, and all the soft life in between. It’s our once-a-year splurge, and honestly, after twelve months apart, it feels earned. This December, I want to feel alive, not just rested.

Read Next: 5 Nigerians, 1 Question: What’s the Most Money You’ve Made in a Single Day?

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