IGIHE spoke with locals, expats, and tourists about what these holidays mean to them today, how traditions have evolved over the years, the highs and lows of 2025, and their hopes for the year ahead.
Vinny Cila, an IT expert who has lived in Kigali for almost seven years, remembers childhood Christmases as big neighborhood affairs. Families and kids would go from house to house, visiting and celebrating together.
'Back in the days, we used to hang out with friends, meet everyone,' he recalls. These days, though, phones, TikTok, and social media have changed things, people connect more online than in person. Working in the IT field, he sees the irony every day.
Di-Carmel Dushime, a banker and Sylvia Gitari visiting from Kenya, notice similar changes. Big village gatherings with extended family have shifted to smaller, nuclear-family celebrations: church for Catholics, a nice meal, laughter, and maybe a quick outing.
The childhood wonder, staying up until midnight to 'hear the baby Jesus cry' and opening gifts, has faded into adult realities like rising prices and high rent. Now it's more about giving than receiving. 'There's no fantasy about it anymore,' Dushime says with a smile, 'but it's still a good time.'
Brisa Bejarano, an American accountant visiting her fiancé, celebrated Christmas in Rwanda for the first time. She is keeping it simple: a quiet dinner with loved ones and gift exchanges, enjoying the contrast to holidays back home.
Pacifique Evans, a 22-year-old filmmaker, likes to keep things private, quality time with his parents and siblings, away from the crowds.
Singleton John, Rwandan artist who stays in the US, currently in Kigali for holidays, kicked off the festivities hosting friends and family, playing games, sharing meals, and walking the decorated streets of Kigali at night.
Besides, favorite gift memories still bring smiles. For Vinny, the best was last year's surprise visit from his mother after seven years apart, an emotional reunion no material gift could top.
Dushime holds dear a simple set of clothes his parents gave him as a child, loaded with meaning. Evans beams talking about the guitar his mom bought him five years ago, knowing his passion for music, he still plays it regularly.
Looking back at 2025, people describe it in glowing terms: amazing, successful, exciting, stretching. Brisa graduated college, Evans turned hard work into achievements he once thought impossible, Gitari earned her master's while strengthening her faith and traveling through Uganda and Rwanda.
John felt pushed to his limits but came through stronger. Dushime landed a promotion that sparked new growth. For Brisa, the year's highlight was meeting her fiancé, a man who puts God first.
The year's lessons come through loud and clear: work hard and never quit, chase your dreams no matter what others say, be prepared when opportunity knocks, and know there's always room to grow.
'I wanted to quit sometimes,' Brisa admits about her studies, 'but I pushed through and finally held my diploma.'
As the New Year begins to unfold, Vinny wants career progress and maybe marriage. Gitari, turning 26 soon, plans to grab opportunities, serve her community, and deepen her faith. Others hope for economic gains, personal wins, travel, and finishing university.
Their final words carry encouragement. 'Trust the process,' Vinny says softly.
'Everything meant for you will come at the right time.' Dushime pushes for optimism and chooses happiness every day.
Evans speaks with passion: stay focused, pray hard, work tirelessly, for yourself, your family, and Rwanda. 'Let's not be lazy,' he adds. 'The country has all eyes on us. We are the ones to make it better.'
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