Adults and Christmas clothes

Some families buy Christmas clothes and accessories months before the day to save cost from the usually high prices of items during the festive season.
As usual during the Christmas celebration two days ago, most children showed up gorgeously dressed in new clothes at recreation and worship centres, on the streets, during visits to Father Christmas grottos, relatives, and friends to mention a few. Do adults today believe in having Christmas clothes or attach same importance to it as the children?
Benedict Aker said he does not believe in adults buying clothes to celebrate Christmas. “Today (Wednesday) is Christmas and what you are seeing me wearing is not new clothes. It is the clothes I have been wearing before. So whether I am indoors or going out, it is my usual clothes that I wear.  As an adult I have a lot of responsibilities and needs in the family to think of and take care of, so buying clothes for myself for Christmas is frivolous.
“However I believe children should have Christmas clothes, it adds to their celebration of the season. Moreso, since it has become the norm for children to have Christmas clothes in our society, when your children don’t have, they may become sad, and feel out of place around other children who have. Adults on the other hand should not carry that children mentality of buying clothes for Christmas.” He opined
Mrs Agnes  Ozemena who we met in one of the recreation parks with her children believes in Christmas clothes for adults. “Adults should have Christmas clothes just as the children because it is the festive season. During festive seasons, you wear new clothes, cook something new or special, travel to the village or visit people, decorate your house, and spend the day in a special place. These are all the things that make it celebration or festive season.”
Mrs Juliana Omojuwon agrees with her. “We buy new clothes to celebrate naming ceremonies, birthdays and weddings, so why not Christmas when you are celebrating your lord? Christmas clothes should be part of the budget or plans for the celebration. The only reason adults should not have Christmas clothes is when they don’t have the money. You can not steal or beg to buy them and where they can’t buy, they should try to wear their best clothes. Christmas is time to be happy and that joy and celebration should reflect in your clothes and how you look . It is also the end of year, you have a lot to thank God for and you show it in your dressing during the celebration too.”
Chris Ataguba said the need for adults to have Christmas clothes even when they have the means is no longer there especially for people in the cities.
“Our parents were mostly farmers in the olden days and up till decades ago. The Christmas and New Year period is when they rest from going to the farms after the harvest. They don’t buy clothes regularly the way we do today in the cities. They mostly buy sets of clothes during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Infact some people only buy clothes during Christmas making it important for both parents and children to have them.
 “Some people in the village still do this till date  but those in the cities virtually buy clothes regularly even before and after the celebration, so there is no need for the label ‘Christmas clothes’ anymore,” he said.
Mr Micheal Ogbole said he believes adults can wear Christmas clothes because of the festive season but when it comes to priorities children should always have it while adults can do without them.
He said he can’t remember when he last bought Christmas clothes for himself but it is compulsory for his children. “Children look forward to Christmas just to wear new clothes or get new things. Christmas clothes can also be used to induce good behaviour and better performance in school for children.
He said: “Parents tell their children if you don’t do well or do this household chore or the other, you wouldn’t have Christmas clothes and some children even get over three sets of clothes as reward for their performance at the end of the year.”
Ogbole said couples can also buy Christmas clothes for each other during the celebration particularly men to their wives and children and it will make them happy and enliven the home during the celebration. “Some women are usually not happy when their husbands don’t buy them Christmas clothes despite being adults especially when they know you have the money and should buy for them.” He said
Abraham Magaji, a student wore a red Christmas cap. He said he bought clothes and shoes to celebrate Christmas and has been wearing different clothes and accessories that symbolize the season. “ I believe in Christmas clothes for every member of the family, it adds fun to the festivities. I bought for my younger sister and she liked it. You can give them as gifts to your family, friends, and loved ones too .
Grace Daniels  a business woman said while she believes adults can buy themselves Christmas clothes if they want , for children it is a must have. “For adult I believe it is 50-50 percent, it is not necessary or compulsory  but for children it is 100 percent. They should have Christmas clothes,” she said.