Reuters photographers took the streets of cities across the continent to capture traders and hawkers selling everything from Santa hats and fake beards to colorful tinsel and shiny tree baubles.In Nairobi, Joseph Muli said trees and inflatable Santas were his best-selling items.

In mainly-Muslim Dakar and in Abuja - whose population is split roughly evenly between Christians and Muslims - vendors Pap Modoo and Eko Onyewuchi both said they sold a lot of festive hats.

“Christmas is very important in my country,” said Abidjan street vendor Kone Aicha. “People like to celebrate and they buy lot of goods even if the prices are high.”

Like others she bought her stock locally - from Chinese merchants.