Going Home for the Holidays: How to Make Your Trip Pay
The holidays are when tickets cost the most, and also when demand for sending things peaks: everyone wants to get a gift, festive clothes or a phone to family back home. If you are flying home for the occasion, your free kilos are worth more than at any other time of the year.
Why the holidays make demand soar
Diaspora shipments are concentrated in a few weeks a year. Informal couriers know it: their prices per kilo rise before the holidays, and postal delays grow at the same time.
For a traveler, that is the opposite of a constraint: requests are plentiful, often made in advance, and the items are typically gifts, small and easy to check.
The big periods of 2026-2027
Diwali and Christmas
Diwali falls on November 8, 2026, Christmas on December 25: demand rises from mid-November toward India, Africa and Latin America.
Chinese New Year
February 6, 2027. The largest annual migration in the world, and strong demand toward China and Southeast Asia.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
Around March 9 or 10, 2027 and May 16, 2027, depending on the moon sighting. Peak demand toward North Africa, Türkiye, West Africa and the Middle East.
Summer holidays
July and August, the busiest period for diaspora families: many travelers, but also many requests.
How to make the most of it
Post your trip as soon as your ticket is booked, several weeks before departure: that is when people are looking for someone. State clearly how much space you leave free, keeping some margin for your own gifts.
Group your handovers: one meeting before departure for several items, and on arrival, handovers in the neighborhood where you are staying. Fewer trips means more time with family.
The rules do not take holidays
During the holidays, checks intensify too. Customs allowances cover your personal belongings and gifts; an item carried for someone else for a reward may have to be declared. Never a sealed package, even gift-wrapped: open it before you take it.
Watch out for festive food as well: meat, milk and their products are banned from entering the European Union from outside it, and many countries restrict fresh products. Dry pastries and packaged goods usually cause fewer problems, but check the arrival country's rules.
Check what you may put in a suitcase, item by item
Useful? Pass it on.
Going home for the holidays?
Post your trip on Colia now: requests come in before the holidays.