Madness that come with the festivities

By SHIRLEY GENGA

KENYA: Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is that time again!

Time when all caution is thrown out of the window and gluttonousness is embraced with much aplomb.

I am convinced there is some form of madness that afflicts people during this season of merry making. I mean, why else would people act the way they do?

In fact, Ebenezer Scrooge, one of Charles Dickens most beloved characters, said it best, when he describe Christmas as “Bah, humbug!”

The holidays are like a ticking time bomb, once set into motions you cannot stop it, the events during this most beloved season often happen like clock work.

The first and foremost sign that it is Christmas season, is the gluttonous indulgence in everything from money, to food, to partying.

Overindulgence

 This is the time when overindulgence is not frowned up very much. Reason, it’s Christmas. This is the season when people get away with lots of bad behaviour.

Around this time, everyone is richer than they truly are. And people always forget that dreaded January is just around the corner.

Can anyone remember a time when Christmas was not about digging so deep into ones bank account? It is the one time where every imaginable over indulgence can be excused with simply one answer, “It is Christmas of course.”

Secondly, the unavoidable family gatherings are a recurring theme during the holiday season. Oh, and how wonderful family gatherings are. In case you can’t read the sarcasm echoing through my words, let me stress that you have to ‘love’ your family, even if it means grudgingly.  I know, they may not be the best company, but it is Christmas and you cannot escape.

Folks, its Christmas; time to brave the storm and put up with your annoying mother in law and cunning sister who always wants to celebrate Christmas at your house at your expense.

It’s also time for you to bear your creepy married uncle who gives you a suggestive wink and that nosy cousin who is always asking weird questions. Don’t forget, it’s also time to tolerate that brother who thinks Christmas is the time to contrast and compare who is more successful in the family.

And since it is the time to celebrate family and love, woe unto single people. It is that time of the season where being a single woman is some sort of unimaginable and unforgivable crime. Reason being, you miss out on certain types of gifts. 

Nosy

To survive the ‘crime’ of being single, you have to adopt and fight back, you can either create an imaginary boyfriend. Or get a Christmas boyfriend who you can dump once the season is over, or learn the art of deflecting nosy questions.

Last but not least, the yearly great migration of Nairobians to the Coast like a swarm of bees. It is the time you bump into nearly everyone you thought you left behind in Nairobi.

And who can forget the classic house help migration, which also happens around this time. It is like they have a Christmas conference where they all discuss their current employers and promise to never return!

Enjoy the holidays.