Key facts for Egypt
Western Christmas is not a business occasion; Coptic Christmas on 7 Jan is a public holiday and the New Year is the usual neutral occasion.
How companies in Egypt give year-end gifts
Egypt has a Muslim majority and a significant Coptic Christian minority, so year-end gifting is usually framed around the New Year. Multinationals and firms with European partners send New Year greetings and branded gifts in late December, and some also acknowledge Coptic Christmas on 7 January for Christian staff and contacts. The larger local gifting moments are Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, when companies distribute food hampers, dates and sweets to employees and give boxes of confectionery to clients. Relationships matter: gifts are typically given to named contacts, often in person, and accompanied by a card in Arabic or English. Quality chocolate, tea, coffee and elegant branded items are well received; alcohol should be left out unless you know the recipient well. Presentation counts, so a well-packaged gift with a printed card reads as more professional than a loose item. Public-sector recipients may be bound by internal rules on accepting gifts.
Gift occasions in Egypt
New Year
the main year-end occasion for neutral corporate greetings and gifts
Coptic Christmas
public holiday; appropriate for Coptic Christian contacts
Ramadan
hampers and sweets sent before or during Ramadan are common; avoid daytime food tastings
Eid al-Fitr
end of Ramadan; the most widely used occasion for client and staff gifts, often sweets, dates or hampers
Eid al-Adha
major family holiday; greetings and gifts to close contacts
Good practice
- Use Arabic or English on cards; both are standard in business
- 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
Use neutral 'Season's Greetings' or New Year designs; Christmas imagery suits only Christian or expatriate recipients.
Delivery to Egypt
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. Shipments are cleared by Egyptian customs and may require the recipient's ID or tax details; food items can be inspected.
Planning dates for Egypt
| 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 Egypt
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 Egypt?
Yes. Coptic Christmas on 7 Jan is a public holiday; 25 Dec is not.
Can we send chocolate gifts to Egypt?
Usually yes, as a gift shipment by courier, but import duties and taxes may apply and customs can request product details. Allow extra time for customs clearance.
Should we send Christmas or New Year gifts to Egypt?
New Year is the safer choice for most recipients. For Coptic Christian contacts, a greeting timed for 7 January (Coptic Christmas) is appreciated.