Key facts for Madagascar
Christmas and the New Year are the main year-end occasions for business gifts.
How companies in Madagascar give year-end gifts
Madagascar is predominantly Christian, with many people also following traditional practices, and Christmas and the New Year are major family occasions. In Antananarivo, companies in telecoms, banking, mining and export trades typically give staff year-end gifts or hampers and send New Year wishes to clients and partners. French is widely used in business correspondence alongside Malagasy; New Year wishes can be sent through January in the French tradition. Gifts are modest and practical, and personal delivery is appreciated. December is the hot, rainy season, and cyclones can disrupt transport from January, so early delivery is advisable. Plush toys for employees' children, tea and branded keepsakes are practical choices. Confirm delivery addresses carefully, as courier coverage outside the capital is limited. A personal message, addressed by name, is valued.
Gift occasions in Madagascar
Christmas
main year-end occasion for gifts to staff, clients and partners
New Year
greetings; often combined with Christmas as one year-end occasion
Good practice
- Write cards in French or Malagasy
- Order early: international courier transit plus customs clearance can take one to two weeks or more
- Add a printed card in the main business language with a personal line
- Favor heat-stable items (tea, plush, baubles, branded keepsakes) if delivery is outside air-conditioned premises
Avoid
- Don't ship chocolate without heat protection
- Don't send gifts to public officials without checking their internal rules
Design and wording
Christmas wording and imagery are appropriate for most recipients; neutral 'Season's Greetings' suits international or mixed teams.
Delivery to Madagascar
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 Antananarivo; cyclone season from December can disrupt transport. December is summer, so chocolate needs heat-protected packaging and fast transit, or non-chocolate items are the safer choice.
Planning dates for Madagascar
| 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 Madagascar
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…
Baubles with logo
Most promotional items are discarded within weeks.
Chocolate advent calendars
Twenty-four chocolates and your brand on the front from 1 to 24 December.
Chocolate Santas
A chocolate Santa with your logo is an economical way to send seasonal greetings to a long list of recipients: at events, at reception desks, in…
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Madagascar?
Yes. 25 Dec is a public holiday, as is 1 Jan.
Can we send chocolate gifts to Madagascar?
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.
What language should cards for Madagascar be in?
French is common in business; a Malagasy greeting is a thoughtful addition.