My first Detty December experience was in 2021. I was young and genuinely just down for a good time. No plans, no budget, no logistics — just one phone call and a simple, “Are you in?” My answer was always yes. That December taught me one thing: the festive season in Lagos, Nigeria, is not for the faint-hearted.
Ever since then, I’ve tried (emphasis on “tried”) to keep my December slate clean, knowing the whirlwind it brings. But for the sake of this article, let’s focus on Lagos, the unofficial headquarters of Detty December.
What is Detty December?
Detty December is a Nigerian slang term that gained mainstream traction around 2019. It is characterised with intense parties, concerts, weddings, and all forms of indulgence. Think of it as a month-long carnival with an extra sprinkle of chaos. It really is a VIBE!
Historically, December has always been a month of homecomings, family reunions, and weddings and merriments. However, the concept of “Detty December” as we know it today began to take shape very recently, due to the surge in Lagos nightlife culture, the growth of the entertainment industry, social media, and an increasing population of Nigerians in the diaspora returning home for the holidays — The IJGB (“I Just Got Back”) crowd.
So while Detty December is great, there are a few undeniable truths about this time of year, we need to get clear on:
1. Transportation is a mess. Ride-hailing cabs are ridiculously priced, the roads are overcrowded with packed with hours of traffic, fuel prices are hiked or just almost impossible to find with long queues at any filling station and even getting a cab becomes a miracle.
2. Whatever price you pay for things like beauty appointments, tailored outfits, food stuff, will be doubled or tripled. Yes, you are now sharing your service providers with the IJGB crowd, tourists, and anyone else with a big budget. It’s survival of the wealthiest.
3. This is the season of indulgence. From sugary treats to your favourite treats, everything is fair game. December calories? They simply don’t exist. You are allowed to indulge a little, oh and indulge you will.
But as the confetti settles and the new year rolls in, the aftermath can leave you with an empty bank account, a wrecked digestive system, and, perhaps, some unwelcoming entanglements. So how do you recover? Let’s get into it: practical guide to get back on track by mid-January.
Step 1: Financial Recovery
As you know, January has a way of being ridiculously long and so to survive the 101 days in January, you need to audit your December expenses and get your finances back in shape, here’s how:
1. Audit Your Spending
Pull up your bank statements and take stock of every naira spent. It’s not about guilt-tripping yourself but understanding where your money went. Overpaid for something? Cleared a group dinner and didn’t get reimbursed? The audit can be eye-opening.
2. Plan for Future Festivities
Use this as a benchmark for future Detty Decembers. If 2024 cost X, plan to budget for 2x or 3x in the coming years, depending on your preferences. You can start a “Detty December Fund” savings plan using apps like PiggyVest or Cowrywise.
3. Find Your Next Credit Alert
For 9-to-5 hustlers, your next paycheck might not hit until late January, so tighten your belt until then. If you are an entrepreneur, consider offering promos or sales to attract customers. For creatives, this is the perfect time to pitch ideas to brands or offer consultations. Everyone’s strategising for the year ahead — position yourself as the person who can help them level up.
4. If All Else Fails, Get a Loan
While starting the year in debt isn’t ideal, desperate times call for desperate measures. So use this as a lesson to plan better for the next Detty December.
Step 2: Diet Recovery
Whether you indulged in sugary treats, alcohol, or foods you’d usually avoid, your body deserves some TLC. Every year, many people do challenges to get them back on track like #75HARD, Dry January, Clean eating, Juice cleanse and so on. Thankfully, if you are not cut out for that life, or trying not to overwhelm yourself, I know just the cure.
Start with Immunity Shots – A mix of ginger, turmeric, and citrus fruits is a fantastic way to detox and boost your immune system. Here’s a simple recipe:
Embrace Green Juices
Green detox juices are easy to make and pack a punch. Use ingredients like spinach, cucumber, green apples, and a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing start to your day.
Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet
Prioritise eating more seasonal foods like sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and cabbage. Incorporate them into your meals for a nutritious reset.
Hydrate
Drink more water, herbal teas, and infused waters to help flush out toxins and keep your body hydrated.
Step 3: Wellness Recovery
Your body worked hard in December; now it’s time to give it the care it deserves.
The first step to recovery is rest. Whether you danced the nights away or spent hours in Lagos traffic, your body needs time to recuperate.
Start with gentle activities like yoga, Pilates, or evening walks. If you’re feeling ambitious, hit the gym, swim, or play a sport. The goal is to rebuild your stamina without overexerting yourself.
Nurture your mind by journaling, meditating, or simply spending time unplugged from screens.
If you’re ready to map out an amazing 2025, check out my planner. With 60+ pages of goal-setting templates for every aspect of your life — career, finances, relationships, wellness, and more — you can start the year strong. Plus, it comes with playlists to keep the vibes high as you plan.
Detty December is a season of joy, indulgence, and chaos. But with a little planning and a lot of self-care, you can start the new year refreshed and ready.
So, how was your Detty December? What steps are you taking to recover this season? Let me know in the comments!
Here’s to a healthier, wealthier, and wiser you in 2025!