Nigeria
Ghana
If you grew up in Nigeria, Ghana, or Cameroon, you know that Christmas is not complete without food. It is the season of rice and stew, fried chicken or turkey, goat meat, ram, drinks packed in coolers, and neighbours dropping in to celebrate together. Christmas shopping for groceries is not just about buying food, it is how families create joy and memories.
But everyone also knows how stressful it becomes once December arrives. Prices rise sharply. Markets are overcrowded. Chickens and turkeys vanish from stalls. A bag of rice that was affordable weeks earlier suddenly costs much more. Even basic items like soft drinks and oil can become difficult to find.
Now think about it from abroad. You may live in the UK, the US, Canada, or somewhere else, but your heart is still with family back home. You want them to enjoy Christmas without worrying about groceries, but you also know what December in the market is like. Maybe you have already sent money in the past, only to hear later that it was not enough, or that your family could not find the items you wanted. That kind of experience is common, and it takes away from the holiday spirit.
This is why many people in the diaspora are starting to prepare earlier. Talking about Christmas groceries in October may sound early, but it is the smartest way to make sure your loved ones in Nigeria, Ghana, or Cameroon have everything they need.
Why now is the best time to start preparing
There are clear reasons why early Christmas shopping for groceries makes sense when you are abroad.
1. Avoid high December prices
Every year, the closer it gets to Christmas, the more prices rise. Rice, chicken, turkey, and even drinks can cost far more in mid-December than they do now. Preparing ahead saves money and avoids inflated costs.
2. Secure what your family needs
The most important items sell out quickly. Live chickens, frozen turkey, goat meat, and ram are in high demand and can disappear completely by Christmas week. If you wait too long, your family may not get the quality or quantity they expect.
3. Take away the stress
Shopping close to Christmas means battling traffic, long queues, and crowded markets. Your family spends days trying to gather everything instead of enjoying the holiday. When you prepare now, they get to relax, knowing groceries will be ready when the season comes.
4. Make your support clear
Sending money helps, but it does not always solve the problem. Exchange rates, rising prices, or mix-ups can get in the way. Sending actual groceries like rice, chicken, oil, drinks, and more shows your care in a way that money alone cannot.
What you can arrange in advance
When it comes to Christmas groceries, almost nothing is off limits. Families abroad are already arranging:
- Bags of rice, both local and foreign
- Live or frozen chicken
- Frozen turkey
- Goat or ram
- Cooking oil and seasonings
- Tomatoes and peppers in bulk
- Cartons of soft drinks or malt
- Extra touches like wine, juice, or snacks
These are the real building blocks of a Christmas feast. They are also the same items that become stressful and expensive if left until the last minute.
How diaspora families are doing it
Instead of relying only on relatives to rush around in December, many people abroad are now using trusted errand and grocery services. They choose the groceries ahead of time, pay securely from where they are, and schedule delivery for their loved ones in Nigeria, Ghana, or Cameroon.
This approach makes life easier for everyone. Families back home avoid market stress, and people abroad get peace of mind. For some, it also spreads out the financial burden since they can pay early, instead of scrambling to send a large amount just before Christmas.
Why acting now makes sense
Right now, prices are more stable. Stock is still available. Chickens are easy to find, rice is on the shelves, and there is no panic buying yet. By December, this will change.
Preparing now means you are buying from today’s market, not December’s chaos. It also gives you time to decide on details such as which relatives should receive deliveries, how much to send, and what extras to add to make the season special.
A suggestion for you
Christmas may feel far away, but it comes faster than expected. If you live abroad, you already know how quickly the weeks pass. Before long, it will be December, and by then the stress will already be building.
The best way to avoid that is to start preparing today. You do not have to finalize everything at once. Even making a plan or setting aside a budget will make things easier later.
Think about what picture you want on Christmas day. Do you want your family sitting around a table with rice, chicken, goat meat, drinks, and laughter, or scrambling to buy whatever is left?
If you prefer the first picture, then now is the time to act.
Ready to get started?
Helpmewaka makes it simple for diasporans to handle Christmas shopping for groceries back home. From rice to live chicken, turkey, goat, ram, oil, drinks, and much more, you can arrange it all in advance and schedule delivery for your loved ones in Nigeria, Ghana, or Cameroon.Sign up today at Helpmewaka, explore the grocery options, and start preparing for the kind of Christmas your family will never forget.
