By Palesa Matlala
- Nell Nkomonde and his three siblings used to contribute R3,000 each for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day family feasts together.
- For the first time in over ten years, each family will celebrate Christmas separately because the feast has become unaffordable.
Nell Nkomonde, 65, works at an aluminium factory. He has put four children through school. His youngest child graduated in 2025.
His wife Matseleng, 50, was retrenched in early 2023. She now washes people’s laundry for money. She charges R150 per basket. She makes about R1,150 in a good month.
For years, Nell and his three siblings contributed R3,000 each for Christmas celebrations. The family would share supper on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They had a breakfast spread before church. They would exchange gifts and feast together.
High costs of living forced them to change. They can no longer afford their traditional three-course Christmas meal.
“Basic food without meat has gone up to an extent that we only eat chicken and vegetables. Beef, pork and lamb are now luxury and we only eat them when we visit people or attend events,” Matseleng said.
This year marks a turning point. For the first time in over ten years, each family will celebrate Christmas separately.
Research shows this trend is widespread. Lower-to-middle income families are spending less due to inflation and high costs. Higher-income households maintain or increase their spending.
Matseleng found a way to manage. She bought grocery food stamp books from Shoprite supermarket.
“Each month I buy stamps worth R200 and the booklet fills up quickly. I have two of them and buy our groceries for Christmas, and January,” she said.
The family will not have their gift exchange and feast this year. But they say what matters most is keeping their family together despite financial difficulties.
Pictured above: Christmas dinner.
Image source: Pexels
