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Tawanda Matanhire and Bornwise Mtonzi Lifestyle Reporters
“Christmas comes once a year,” goes a popular social saying.

As December draws near, families and individuals make preparations in anticipation of outstanding Christmas celebrations.

And scholar Benjamin Franklin once said, “failure to prepare is preparing to fail”.

Christmas is a day many celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ although it has different connotations from different religious groups. The bottom line is you still have to celebrate anyway.

Christians from all walks of life believe in the birth of Jesus Christ and therefore take Christmas celebrations seriously around the world.

When you hear the jingle bells on radios and televisions you know we are coming towards the end of the year and it’s Christmas time again. Around the world it has been a tradition for children to annually wait for Santa Clause whom they believe would give them presents and in most countries the belief is still alive.

Christmas trees and presents for everyone on the day make lasting memories of Christmas for many people around the world. Due to economic challenges in the country, Christmas celebrations might not be as colourful as they used to be, but the day is and will always be cherished as it brings families close together.

It becomes the day that most would have been waiting for as it is associated with different activities for different people. For the most ‘ghetto youths’ it is about new clothes and merrymaking while adults would be running around to make their families happy. The task is easier for some that would have received bonuses. It means extra income and going an extra mile in Christmas preparation.

Everyone is running around to make sure that the day is special and a memorable event and as for those with more disposable income, it won’t be Christmas if they don’t celebrate in resort areas.

“Christmas is one day that brings many families together by exchanging gifts and sharing moments together. It is such a wonderful experience to note that every Christmas the atmosphere is lit up with many events as many people converge at several destinations just to have fun and to enjoy,” said one airtime vendor identified as Mamoyo Tendai.

Celebrations define Christmas and ways of celebrating differ. Others go to church and others go to pubs for drinks while others travel to rural areas to gather as families.

This time of the year shopping is the order of the day especially food. Clothing industries seem to boom as many entrepreneurs take advantage of the season to stock up and maximise their efforts to supply so that they make remarkable profits.

A survey conducted by this paper revealed that one cannot ignore the signs that are starting to show as the city is being decorated by different associations in their capacity.

The Harare City Council has for years kept the festive spirit alive as they seem to be the first noticeable organisation to give glitter to the city as they lighten up the Africa Unity Square and First Street.

“I am waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, just like the norm I would take my kids to Barbours and Greatermans in the city for the treat but my worry is now, the Greatermans shop closed down so I am waiting to what’s in store. It would be unfair for my children not to enjoy the moments. Many spend so much as they redecorate their shop floors, offices and houses even public hang outs are not spared of the beauty as this puts cooperates in the festive mood,” said Majorie Nkomo of Belvedere.

Many cooperates at this time of the year hold end of year Christmas celebrations as they await the shut down period.

“Christmas is a time for us to reflect and celebrate love,” said Munashe From AFM church.

“God showed us his love by sending Jesus Christ to all people and he died for all our sins.”

“Christmas is a time for us to give, for God gave us his Son Jesus Christ, so we show our family and relatives love through giving,” said another Christian Mercy Hondo from Christ Embassy Church.

“If it wasn’t for Christ even the life that we enjoy wasn’t going to be there,“ she added.

“Our hopes are made alive as we witness people from all walks of life share and express their love on Christmas day.”

In separate interviews with Saturday Herald Lifestyle different people had different interpretations Christmas.

“Christmas used to be something special during our days, maybe it’s because our money had value and we could go places, now it has turned into something else. It’s no longer the day we used to enjoy when we were growing up,” said Chirombo from Budiriro.

In the rural areas this day, however, still means a lot to them as most of the growth points are already preparing and getting ready for the day.

In those areas most of the shop owners are busy visiting big towns and cities to purchase goods ranging from groceries to clothes so that they won’t disappoint when the day comes.

“I have already started stocking groceries and beverages for my customers as you know that Christmas is a very busy day and people will be buying. I don’t want to repeat the mistake I made last year when my stock ran out before the end of the festive season,” said one Dyirakumunda a shop owner in Guruve

The day is associated with many advantages at the side of business as people would be busy purchasing for their loved ones, thus putting businesses at their peak.

“For us it’s business as usual and during this time we would be making profit as our businesses would be high and our volumes would be running high,” said a Harare woman.

A hair dresser Nokutenda had the same sentiments saying Christmas time is the best for her as the number of clients would increase thus boosting their businesses.

“It should be Christmas everyday because its business for us and the volumes of clients are high,” she said.

Christmas has become unpopular in other countries with some people calling it a commercialised holiday whereby many are just after money.

“We stopped celebrating Christmas last year, and instead celebrate the Biblical holidays.

But before that, when our children were little, we got very frustrated with the commercialisation of the holiday. We took a few steps to fix that. First, we never told them that Santa was the one who brought presents. We did tell them of the historical St. Nicholas,” wrote a commentator who identified herself as Cara on a social media network platform.

No matter the differences in the manner the day is celebrated, the day still remains one of the most remembered days.