SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS: Curated Guide to Meaningful Nigerian Products for Your Loved Ones

This December, the familiar scramble begins.

What do you get for the aunt who has everything? What gift will truly delight your best friend, not just clutter their shelf? You wander through crowded malls, past the same imported perfumes and generic chocolates, feeling that quiet dissatisfaction. The gift feels hollow, a transaction rather than a token of true affection. But this year, there is another way, a path that leads you away from the mall and into the heart of Nigeria’s most inspiring stories of resilience and craft. Imagine a gift that does more than just please its receiver, it also sustains a local artisan, empowers a community of women, or gives a second chance to a young graduate. This is the magic of the double gift: one wrapped in beautiful paper for your loved one and another unwritten gift of hope, dignity, and opportunity woven into its very making.

Let us begin with the cornerstone of Nigerian hospitality: the Table. For the foodie friend or the hostess with the mostest, skip the imported cheese board. Instead, consider a stunning handcrafted cheeseboard or serving platter made from reclaimed Nigerian mahogany or ‘iroko’ by Umzy Woodcrafts in Lagos, a workshop dedicated to training and employing young artisans from low-income communities. Pair it with a set of hand-blown glass tumblers from The Glass Studio in Ogudu, which provides artistic vocational training. Fill these pieces with artisanal delights: a bag of small-batch, stone-ground ‘ofi’ (white honey) from the Ogun State Beekeepers Association, which supports rural farmers, or a trio of small-batch hot sauces from Iya Foods, a social enterprise creating sustainable income for women farmers in the North-Central region. This gift basket doesn’t just say “Happy Holidays.” It tells a story of Nigerian land, skill, and sustainable enterprise.

For the stylish professional in your life, fashion and accessories offer a profound canvas for impact. Move beyond the usual branded leather goods. Instead, gift a beautiful ‘adire’ tote bag or laptop sleeve from AWA Africa or Shecluded’s Marketplace, platforms that champion female artisans and entrepreneurs across Nigeria. For him, a sleek leather wallet or belt from Kaduna Leatherworks makes a powerful statement. This initiative trains and employs young men from historically marginalised communities, transforming a traditional craft into a modern livelihood. For jewellery, look to brands like Zer by Zerib, which creates exquisite pieces from upcycled materials while providing skills training, or MyDNA, which works with local makers to create contemporary designs. Each piece becomes a conversation starter: “This bag? It’s made by a collective of women in Abeokuta.”

Perhaps the most cherished gifts are those that create moments of peace and reflection.

For the friend who seeks solace, create a ‘Slow Living’ hamper. Include a scented soy candle from The Candle Shack Project, which employs survivors of domestic violence, poured into a reusable ceramic pot from Ilorin’s pottery hubs. Add a package of organic, loose-leaf ‘zobo’ or ginger tea from Tippy Tea, a social enterprise focused on sustainable agriculture. Include a beautifully bound, blank-paged journal from She Writes Woman**, where proceeds support mental health advocacy for Nigerian women. This gift whispers care, twice over: care for your friend’s wellbeing and care for the individuals who crafted its components.

For the children and the young at heart, choose toys and books that build a conscious future. Opt for beautifully crafted wooden toys from Towns, an Abuja-based social enterprise focusing on safe, sustainable play. Or select a curated set of children’s books from Ouida Books or Brittle Paper’s selections, focusing on Nigerian authors and illustrators, supporting the creative economy. For a godchild or niece, a ‘Build-a-Business’ kit from a social enterprise teaching soap-making or beadwork can be a gift that ignites a lifetime of enterprise.

Choosing these gifts requires a little more intention than a last-minute mall run. It means visiting platforms like The Social Outfitters, Markit, or Ethnika that aggregate vetted social enterprises. It means reading the “Our Story” section. But this process is itself a gift, a reconnection to the ingenuity and spirit of your own country. When your loved one unwraps their present, you can share its story. You’re not just giving an object, you’re gifting a legacy of empowerment, a thread in the vibrant fabric of a new Nigerian economy. This year, let your gift list be a force for good, proving that the very best presents are those that give joy twice: once to the recipient, and once to the nation.

Overwhelmed by options? CSR REPORTERS offers personalised concierge services for ethical corporate and individual gifting. Contact us to help.