A Nigerian woman residing in the United Kingdom has shared her innovative and cost-effective method of sending Christmas gifts and essentials to her family back home. Instead of the commonly used shipping barrel, she opted for three large cartons, detailing the entire process, costs, and the reasoning behind her choice in a viral TikTok video.
Why Cartons Beat Barrels for Christmas Shipping
The lady, who posted on TikTok under the handle @elianafamily4, explained her strategic shift from barrels to cartons. She highlighted a significant price advantage as the core reason for her decision.
She stated, "It is cheaper to use carton because carton is not expensive. For barrel, the minimum you can buy it is around 50 pounds but carton, you can buy three for 50 pounds." This initial saving on the container itself allowed her to allocate more funds to the actual contents for her loved ones.
Beyond cost, she also pointed out that the cartons could efficiently hold more items due to their shape and packing flexibility compared to the traditional barrel, maximizing the value of her shipment.
A Detailed Breakdown of the Total Cost
The woman provided a transparent financial breakdown of her entire shipping endeavor. The expenses were not limited to just the international freight cost.
She disclosed that she paid £120 to ship each of the three cartons to Lagos, Nigeria. Additionally, she incurred a domestic collection fee of £70 to have the items picked up from her UK residence and transported to the shipping depot.
In a comment clarifying the total expenditure, she wrote, "£430 for pick from my house to Nigeria for the 3." This total covers the domestic pickup and the international shipping for all three cartons. The shipment took between six to twelve weeks to arrive at its destination in Nigeria.
Heartwarming and Humorous Reactions from Netizens
The video sparked a flood of reactions from Nigerians both at home and abroad. Many found the tip practical and financially savvy, while others expressed emotional connections to receiving such packages.
One user, BLESSING, wrote aspirationally, "One day me seff go travel and send things to my family in Jesus name." Another, BABY & KIDS SHOP IN KANO, shared a touching sentiment: "Each time our aunt sends something for us, the whole house lights up with joy. She doesn’t even know how much we pray for her. Allah ya saka da alheri."
The comment from Tekbeauty_ng praised the woman's mindset: "I like when you said don't convert to naira... because it's the thoughts that matters. God bless you." However, not all comments were purely complimentary. User user62503879207 humorously critiqued a common diaspora practice, writing, "una nor dey buy new new things com give us for Nigeria always old use things."
The video also prompted practical questions, such as a query about the name of the machine used to vacuum-seal clothes in storage bags, indicating viewers were keen to replicate her efficient packing methods.
This story underscores the deep cultural tradition of sending physical goods, or "balle," from the diaspora to families in Nigeria, especially during festive periods like Christmas. It highlights how Nigerians abroad are constantly seeking smarter, more economical ways to maintain these cherished connections and support systems across continents.
