Having a “Detty December” has been a Nigerian tradition for almost a decade now, from the maiden use of the phrase in 2016 by Mr Eazi, it’s a wholehearted celebration of the past year. A time when everyone comes back home to see family and friends and paint the town red (figuratively of course. Say no to vandalism).

It’s a jolly good time.

But.

Decembers are also notoriously expensive (trust us, we know) and even the respondents in our last story about the season attested to the fact that these are hot times – hotter than most Nigerians are used to.

From the all-around inflation to many suddenly deciding to japa this year (even companies), 2023 has been hard – in more ways than one – and no one can blame you if your pockets are a little dry now.

Sorry, sorry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

Luckily for you, we’re here to help.

Who says you can’t have an amazing time while watching your Nairas?

So, let’s get into how you, our dear financially challenged reader, are going to have a (mostly) Detty December.

First things first…

Let’s be real: Accepting that right now, you may have less money than you would like, and that the exact experiences you want to have are out of reach for you, is very important.

If you’re going into December with 2k in your account hoping to rival the millionaires in clubs, boy, have I got some news for you.

Don’t be afraid to tell people you don’t have the money to do some things, as Edo said, don’t enter debt for Detty December.

It’s been a difficult year for most, people will understand.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get into some ways you can cut costs and have a fun time this season.

Home events vs going out

House parties: Arguably one of the things people spend the most on during this period is parties.

Who doesn’t love a good, bass-thumping-so-hard-you-feel-it-in-your-chest party? But getting into clubs and buying tickets for parties are also expensive, going anywhere from N15k, to millions of naira, which you definitely do not have right now.

An easy way to get the social interaction and fun that you get at parties is by (surprise surprise) having one at home! Invite your friends and tell them to each bring over their favourite dish or some snacks – and booze, can’t forget the booze – play some amapiano, and you’ve got yourself a party right there (and you didn’t even have to bribe any bouncers – crazy).

Cooking meals with friends: Detty December, is, at its core, a celebration of the friends and family we choose to surround ourselves with, and what better bonding experience than all of you coming together to make fun recipes? Decide on a meal, order a few groceries with the Mano delivery service (or any you prefer), invite your friends over, and see just how much fun making jollof rice balls  or a meat-pie Christmas tree (yes, it exists) really is – you should follow Tspices kitchen for easy-to-follow authentic Nigerian recipes (tell her we sent you).

Jollof rice balls. Photo Credit (/@thehappyfoodie.co.uk)

Scavenger hunts: Now, if you want to get really creative, this is the one for you (also if you have a big enough house ahem, not Lagos apartments, ahem). Scavenger hunts are a fun, creative way to involve all friend group members. All you really need is a pen, some papers where you’ll write the clues, and something of value to hide that the winner gets to take home.

Hide it somewhere and scatter clues around the house – even throw in some false ones for pizazz – and watch grown adults run around and shriek like preschoolers.

Obviously, there are a lot more things you can do at home, sleepovers, movie marathons… you get the gist.

Just remember, as long as you aren’t homeless, a good time can be had. Amen? Amen.

Moving forward with okrika – thrifting

Second-hand clothes are all the rage now. Apart from being a sustainable fashion choice, they are also a lot cheaper than their brand-new counterparts, and with the Nigerian economy being where it is, Nigerians are turning to thrifting for their clothing needs.

After all, it’s cheaper, easier and accessible. So, if you decide to go out, before you visit a boutique for an outfit, try a thrift store, go to a local market, or shop from an online thrift store like 7even’s closet and save both your coins and the planet.

Look at you being a superhero.

Carpooling

Another thing that racks up costs is transportation. A key part of Detty December is going from one place to another, sometimes multiple times a night, and moving around that much is not cheap.

If you’re not using public transport, a logical way to soften the blow is to carpool with friends, whether one of you has a car, or you’re sharing an Uber, splitting fares makes it easier on your wallet to get around. Not to mention the added safety of commuting with company.

Uber now has a feature where you can split a ride with other passengers going to different locations for a lesser cost, and the Rida app allows you to negotiate prices with the driver, helping you save even more.

Follow who know road o (it’s us, we know road).

Go to events at local spots (you won’t die)

Watch parties (like the Movie in the Park events) speakeasies (like this one in Abuja), beach hangouts and even outdoor cookouts are great ways to have fun while keeping an eye on your coins. And who knows, at a local bar you might catch a stand-up comedy show – like this free weekly one – and even pick up someone cute (bonus: they live nearby).

Even open mics – like this one at Arnheim Bar – karaoke, and concerts by smaller, less mainstream artists are usually a lot cheaper (or sometimes, even free) than events held by bigger brands and artists. Yes, you want to attend the major shows and see the bigwigs in the industry, but a good time can be had at your local bar with a couple of friends and a carefully concocted Long Island.

Not every time chilling with the big boys. Sometimes chill with the affordable ones too.

Budget, and don’t be afraid to go home once you hit it

Budgeting is an old but gold thing. It’s so widely recommended because it works, however hard it may be.

Being on top of your finances means you know exactly where and when your money is going, which can be extremely helpful during Detty December. It’s important to set a budget that leaves some wriggle room (maybe a couple thousand nairas) but is still practical.

The easiest part of budgeting is creating one, and the hardest part is keeping to it.

You’ve said “Just one more drink” three times but Asake is banging right now so who even cares? (your account balance does)

One way to help this is by telling your friends to hold you accountable; say your budget for this night’s outing is 25k – you’ve withdrawn from your Detty December funds on Piggyvest  or Cowrywise - your friends also have to watch your wallet with you to make sure you don’t overspend.

You could even add a clause in the agreement that states that if you mistakenly overspend on their watch (maybe you’re drunk and you really want that extra plate of pasta) they have to cover the extra cost.

Go to art galleries – most are free

If you’re the artsy type and you like to ponder the deeper meaning of abstract brush strokes while posing oh-so-aesthetically as your friend finds just the right angle to take a photo of you that gives art connoisseur but fashionable, then art galleries, like Nike and Topfat, are your scene.

Most offer free entry, and the ones that are paid are usually very affordable. They provide an excuse for you to look good, take nice pics, and admire the creativity of others.

You could make it a thing; you and your friends could buy a bottle (of wine, if you want to get classy) to sip on as you walk through art.

What’s not to love?

Having fun, vs looking like you’re having fun

Social media can be addictive. The desire to post everything you get up to, while keeping up with what everyone else is up to, and also having a good time, is a strong one.

But it shouldn’t always be indulged.

The point of the holiday season is celebration, relaxation and just all-around good vibes. Being obsessed with presenting the image of a perfect Detty December can easily get in the way of you actually having a Detty December.

So, put your phone down, stop checking what everyone else is up to, and stay in the moment.

Have fun. 2023 has been hard, you deserve it.

Save money for January, don’t be silly

After every Detty December, a clean January patiently awaits, with 90 days and 200 nights.

Just kidding, just kidding. (or are we…)

But, January is known to feel longer than any other month, and this is probably because most salary earners get paid earlier in December, and by the time the middle of January rolls around, mouths are, figuratively, dry.

So this is your reminder not to forget that there is life after December enjoyment.

Starting the year off broke is not very new-year new-me energy.

And while on the subject, listen to what our respondents in last week’s article said about Detty December funding – you might find some nuggets of wisdom in Harris’ minimal perspective, or just have fun with Edo.

Our Detty December Budget Index

We know, we know, there were a lot of recommendations in this article, this is why we’ve put them all in a cute little list for you to come back to (bookmark this).

And that wraps up our guide on how to have a Detty December even if you don’t have Detty December funds.

Which tip was your favourite? How is your bank account doing so far? Do you have any recommendations on how to enjoy this Detty season while on a budget?

We want to know, so tell us in the comments below (we’ll read them, promise).