Buyers and Sellers Struggle as Christmas Decorations Become Unaffordable

With Christmas just around the corner, the atmosphere at decoration and gift stores in Ibadan is far from festive. Basic Christmas decorations have become unaffordable luxuries, as both sellers and buyers voice concerns over rising prices and reduced purchasing power.

At Dugbe Market, Miss Grace Aletile, a seller, explained that low patronage has forced her to resort to begging and using encouraging words to convince customers to make at least one purchase. “Three or four years ago, I’d be too busy attending to customers to grant this interview,” she said. Aletile pointed out that Christmas trees, which are usually in high demand, have been largely ignored this season, with prices having doubled.

Aletile shared that a four-foot Christmas tree that cost N12,000 in 2023 now goes for N25,000, while a six-foot tree has risen from N30,000 to N70,000, and a seven-foot tree that was N40,000 last year is now priced at N100,000.

Originally starting with greeting cards, Aletile’s shop has struggled to survive as card sales have dwindled. “People no longer buy cards like they used to,” she noted, explaining why they’ve shifted focus to decorations.

Mrs. Abosede Bassey, a seller of hampers, also reported a 90% drop in patronage compared to 2023. She attributed the decline to the high cost of hamper items, explaining that a hamper that cost N5,000 last year now costs N8,000, while the N8,000 hamper has risen to N12,000. Bassey added that the rising cost of baskets has reduced her profit margin, as much of the revenue now goes toward purchasing the items.

Customers like Mrs. Omolola Bakare, who came to buy Christmas caps for her children, expressed frustration at the soaring prices. “I’m shocked they now cost N4,000 each,” she said. She called on the government to address the exchange rate, as high prices are causing many to question their income.

Miss Funke Ishola, who came to buy Christmas lights, described the situation as concerning, noting that the price of lights had almost doubled from N1,800 last year to N3,500. Despite the high costs, Ishola added, “It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without some decorations,” though she lamented that even basic items now felt like luxuries.