BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – COVID-19 disrupted how, when, and where people spend their Christmas random interviews suggests the pandemic propelled people into spending their holidays home.
While businesses, especially the hospitality industry in all sectors were forced to adapt, and the ones that did so successfully saw unprecedented growth, especially during the holiday season, people have fallen in love with the idea of being with their loved ones for Christmas.
Worth noting is that this is the first Christmas in the country, where COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted off. This Christmas will be spent without masks and without curfew.
Given the changes to social behaviour and economic uncertainty of the past few years, the way that people spend their holidays and money makes for unprecedented and unpredictable human trends.
According to some interviewed members of the public indeed, going out and booking places is difficult again this year. But having an understanding of what this holiday season may look like will help them plan accordingly.
In this article, you will find where people will be during Christmas.
Siphesihle Dlamini
I will be in church, this is my daughter’s first Christmas, and then we will do the traditional family lunch. I cannot wait to celebrate with my daughter she has grown so much.
Tebe Mngomezulu
I will be spending Christmas at home ka-Bhudla with my family. I’m planning on cooking a big Christmas lunch and we will just spend the day eating, chilling and playing games.
Gcinwayinkhosi Mabuza
I will be home for Christmas, with children and husband. We meet up with other family members and cook a three course meal. This year will be no different and we have already started with small Christmas traditions like a Christmas tree and the likes.
Sihle Lukhele
I will be spending this day with my daughter that I have not seen in months. We will go out and have lunch in one of the restaurants then come back to ice cream and Christmas movies. I’m over Christmas but for my daughter I make sure I celebrate it so I give her memories.
Nokhwezi Dlamini
For me Christmas is always spent home. In the morning we are going to church and then come back to a big lunch cooked by my siblings and I. We spend the day catching up and taking pictures playing games and doing everything together.
Thando Mlambo
I will be working on Christmas, then later go home for lunch, this is going to be my first Christmas with a job so I have mixed feelings about missing the morning of Christmas with my family. I love Christmas so much I have already bought a Christmas tree and decorations.
Luyanda Ceko
I will be spending the day with my maternal family. We will travel to Hlatsi and just enjoy the day.
This is what Christmas looked like as a kid and I have not done it in a long time. Looking forward to doing something minimalistic this year.
