High Costs Force Families to Avoid Year-End Celebrations

End-of-year school parties are usually the highlight of the year for kids and parents alike. These events are more than just celebrations, they’re a time for students to show off their achievements, flaunt their outfits, and have a little fun before the holiday break. Schools traditionally charge a small fee to cover food, drinks, and gifts for these parties. But this year, things took a dramatic turn, and not for the better.

With the rising cost of living, party fees in many schools have skyrocketed, forcing families to make tough decisions. Picture this: what used to cost around N5,000 per child has now shot up to as high as N20,000 or even N25,000 in some cases. For parents juggling Christmas shopping, school fees, and daily expenses, this is a price tag that’s simply too much to bear.

Schools are caught in the middle with many pointing out that rising costs of goods have forced schools to increase fees. While some schools managed to hold scaled-down parties, others skipped them entirely due to low turnout. It’s a tough time for everyone. Parents are prioritizing essentials over luxuries, and end-of-year parties are no longer top of the list. But it’s also a wake-up call. Simple celebrations, like sharing snacks and creating joyful memories, can still mean the world to kids.

This year may have been challenging, but it also showed us the power of cutting costs, staying practical, and finding joy in simpler things. After all, it’s not the price of the party that matters—it’s the smiles and laughter that stay with us long after the music stops.