Key facts for Mexico
Christmas is a major business occasion, embedded in a long season from Guadalupe Day to Three Kings Day.
How companies in Mexico give year-end gifts
In Mexico, the year-end season runs from the Virgin of Guadalupe on 12 December through the posadas (16–24 December) to Día de Reyes on 6 January. Companies hold posadas or year-end parties, and gifts to staff are often presented there; employees also receive the legally mandated aguinaldo bonus by 20 December, so gifts are seen as a gesture on top of it. Clients and suppliers commonly receive canastas navideñas (gift baskets), sweets, branded items or calendars for the new year, usually delivered personally or by courier in the first half of December. Relationships matter, so a handwritten or signed card in Spanish addressed to the named contact is valued more than a generic label. Large companies and public entities may have gift caps or bans under their compliance programs, especially since the 2016 anti-corruption reforms. Christmas wording ('Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo') is standard and well received.
Gift occasions in Mexico
Posadas
Office posadas and year-end parties are common occasions for team gifts.
Christmas
Main occasion for client and employee gifts, usually delivered before the posadas.
Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes)
Offices share rosca de reyes; a late seasonal touchpoint.
Good practice
- Deliver before the posadas begin on 16 Dec.
- Write the card in Spanish and address the named contact personally.
- Consider a Día de Reyes touchpoint in January for a second impression.
- Ask procurement about gift caps at large corporates and state-owned companies.
Avoid
- Avoid gifts to public officials, which are restricted under Mexican anti-corruption law.
- Avoid overly expensive gifts that may look like an attempt to influence a tender.
Design and wording
Christmas wording and imagery are fully appropriate.
Gift policies
The General Law of Administrative Responsibilities (2016) restricts gifts to public servants and can hold companies liable for bribery.
Delivery to Mexico
Imports clear Mexican customs and IVA (VAT) is charged on import; the EU–Mexico trade agreement can reduce duties on EU-origin goods. Food products may face labeling and sanitary requirements, so food shipments are checked before quoting.
Planning dates for Mexico
| 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 Mexico
Chocolate advent calendars
Twenty-four chocolates and your brand on the front from 1 to 24 December.
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.
Plush & merch calendars
A merchandise advent calendar distributes your branded items across 24 doors: socks, pins, stickers, small plush and treats, each carrying your logo.
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…
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…
Baubles with logo
Most promotional items are discarded within weeks.
Frequently asked questions
When should corporate Christmas gifts arrive in Mexico?
Before the posadas start on 16 December; many companies distribute gifts at their year-end party.
Is the aguinaldo a gift?
No. The aguinaldo is a legally required year-end bonus; corporate gifts are given in addition to it.
Can we ship chocolate to Mexico?
Yes, generally, but food imports may need labeling and sanitary documentation and duties or IVA may apply, quoted in advance.