It is another Christmas season with all the hustle and bustle that go with it.
Plans are in place to go home to see friends and relations, especially those living in the rural areas.
Some are regular visitors, others not so regular or are going for the first time.

My tips will not dwell on what dress to buy or what new colour to paint your car,
My concern is how to relate to the folks at home, especially the children and the elderly ones.

The people we left at home care not so much for the rice, onions, beverages and meat or dress you will bring home as for your physical presence.
I recall a woman who was so sad because her son did not come home when other families were agog with returnees.
She sent an urgent message to her son that she could care less about his wrappers and other goodies, that she wanted him home so she could cook for him like other mothers were doing.

Quality time:
Spend time with your folks and catch up with what is happening back home.
Some people come home only to eat breakfast and you won't see them again until everyone has gone to bed.
Eat, drink, and chat with your people and spend less time outside.

There are many families in my compound.
Our practice has been for all the men, young and old, to eat and drink together.
All the individual kitchen channel their food to the central eating area.
Because of the convivial atmosphere we generate, our home is always a center of attraction for other folks.

Rural folks depend on the city guys for the latest in politics and what is happening in government.
If you wanted to win my dad over for anything, talk politics, government policies, America, and the economy with him.
You may have take time update your folk on what is happening around the world.
They believe city dwellers are in a better position to know these things.

On your return:
Villagers know some people to not care whether or not they exist because they do not pay them visits in their houses.
What I do is to visit those that need to be visited, usually elderly men and women, as from the next day.
This is an opportunity to know their progress and problems: Esther married last month, my knee pain is still there, my roof leaks, etc.

Gift ideas:
Are you one one of those that get the children all happy and excited upon your arrival?
Or are you one of those no kid would come to welcome back because, in their books, you are a stingy person?
An important aspect of my preparation for going home for any festive occasion is taking care of the kids who would come upon my arrival.

Cabin biscuits is a common and convenient item most people buy for children.
Funny enough, I have overheard children say they would not go to welcome a particular guy because he always gave them cabin biscuits.
What I do is vary what I buy, mostly bread, some lollipop or whatever that is not so common, and affordable.
For every household, I give a loaf of good quality bread, not cabin biscuits.
When you settle down and unpack your boxes and bags, you can then present the Christmas gifts proper.

Making cash gifts:
Many people do not give cash to people they do not trust or who are not immediate blood relatives.
This is because of the rumour that diabolical individuals have used the said cash gifts to bewitch the giver.
I don't know what you believe or what your practice is but I do give money where it is necessary.
I make a pronouncement , in private anyway, before I give) that I am giving with a clean heart to help, that should the recipient try to use my magnanimity against me, bla, bla, bla.

There are many aspects to going home for Christmas.
I will let others come in with their perspectives to this topic.
And I am sure I have more to learn from them.

The most sensible post I have seen on nairaland of recent.
If ten percent of humanity can be as considerate as this, of others in their thinking, irrespective of any difference, the world would have been a better place

Augla1:
The most sensible post I have seen on nairaland of recent.
If ten percent of humanity can be as considerate as this, of others in their thinking, irrespective of any difference, the world would have been a better place

Glad you find the thread meaningful.
What is your opinion on some of the issues raised? Thanks.