Key facts for Burkina Faso
Christmas is a public holiday, but for the Muslim majority the New Year and Tabaski are more relevant gifting moments.
How companies in Burkina Faso give year-end gifts
Burkina Faso has a Muslim majority and a substantial Christian minority, and both Christmas and the main Islamic holidays are public holidays. Corporate gifting in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso tends to follow the French-speaking pattern: New Year wishes and modest gifts at the turn of the year, with Christmas gifts mainly for Christian contacts. Tabaski is the biggest festival for many employees, and employers often provide support or gifts around it. Cards should be in French. Security conditions in parts of the country and the current political situation affect logistics and business activity, so international firms often channel gifts through local partners. Keep gifts modest, halal-friendly and free of alcohol for Muslim recipients. Practical, well-presented items such as tea, branded office accessories or plush for employees' children are well received. Confirm that the recipient will be in the office before shipping, as offices may close around the holidays.
Gift occasions in Burkina Faso
New Year
New Year greetings (voeux) are customary and can be sent through January
Christmas
main year-end occasion for gifts to staff, clients and partners
Korité (Eid al-Fitr)
end of Ramadan; greetings and gifts to staff and partners
Tabaski (Eid al-Adha)
the biggest festival of the year; employers often give staff bonuses or gifts
Good practice
- Write cards in French
- Lead with New Year or 'Season's Greetings' wording rather than Christmas imagery
- Choose halal-friendly food: no alcohol-filled chocolates or gelatin-based sweets
- Order early: international courier transit plus customs clearance can take one to two weeks or more
Avoid
- Don't include alcohol or pork-derived ingredients
- Don't rely on Santa or nativity imagery for Muslim recipients
Design and wording
Christmas is a public holiday and widely respected, but the majority is Muslim, so 'Season's Greetings' or New Year designs are the safer default.
Delivery to Burkina Faso
Ships from Poland by international courier; import duties and local VAT or sales taxes are normally charged on arrival and can be quoted in advance, and customs clearance adds time. Courier coverage is concentrated in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso; security conditions affect other areas. December is hot, so chocolate needs heat-protected packaging and fast transit, or non-chocolate items are the safer choice.
Planning dates for Burkina Faso
| Order personalized stock advent calendars by | 6 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Order Christmas hampers by | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Fully custom calendars for 2027 — order between | 01.2027 – 08.2027 |
Indicative planning dates; exact dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Recommended formats for Burkina Faso
Christmas hampers
Corporate Christmas hampers with your logo on the box, ribbon or card, composed to your budget band and delivered to one office or to individual home…
Tea & coffee calendars
A tea or coffee advent calendar with your logo is a measured, practical gift for clients and colleagues who prefer to avoid sweets.
Christmas plush
Plush is made in our own workshop in Biała Podlaska, Poland: ready Christmas teddies with your embroidered logo, and custom plush mascots based on…
Empty calendar boxes
For companies that already have the filling: custom printed advent calendar boxes in bulk, designed around your products and delivered flat or…
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Burkina Faso?
Yes. 25 Dec is a public holiday, as are 1 Jan and the main Islamic holidays.
Can we send chocolate gifts to Burkina Faso?
Usually yes, as a gift shipment by courier, but import duties and taxes may apply and customs can request product details. Heat is the main risk in December, so we recommend heat-protected packaging or tea and plush alternatives.
Which occasion is best for corporate gifts in Burkina Faso?
New Year greetings work for everyone; Tabaski is the most significant occasion for many local employees.