Gift guides usually list things. This one is more about what happens after the wrapping comes off, because the gap between "nice thought" and "worn every week" is wider than most lists admit.
What gets worn
A phrase they already say. If you have heard them use no wahala a hundred times, that is the print. A phrase chosen because it was on the first page of search results will not have the same effect.
Hoodies over t-shirts. In this climate, a hoodie gets four seasons of use and a tee gets two. If you are only buying one thing, buy the hoodie.
Something for the kids. Parents raising children between two cultures often want the children to have something visible too. The kids range covers that, and it tends to be the gift that gets photographed.
What ends up in a drawer
Anything with a phrase they have to explain to their colleagues. Anything sized by guesswork — get the size right or include the receipt. And novelty items tied to a specific news event, which stop being funny within months.
Getting the size right without asking
Asking spoils the surprise, so: look at what they already wear. A hoodie worn loose over a t-shirt is usually one size up from their actual measurement. If you genuinely cannot tell, size up rather than down — an oversized hoodie is a style choice, a tight one is a return.
Our sizing runs XS to 5XL. UK clothing sizes explained covers the conversions, and unisex sizing explains why unisex pieces fit differently on different bodies.
Ordering in time
Everything here is made to order rather than pulled off a shelf, so allow roughly 5 to 12 working days for UK delivery. For a birthday, order a fortnight out. For Christmas, see the Christmas guide for the cut-off dates.
Start with the Pidgin collection or the broader gift range. If you want to understand the phrases before choosing, this guide is the place to start.
Further reading: BBC News Pidgin