My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Christmas

Away at Christmas...need small, light, packable gift ideas pls

15 replies

Sunnydaysandholidays · 12/11/2019 12:46

DS13 and DD11 and we’re going to a cold place.
Don’t really want to take big stuff they won’t use while we’re away but want them to have stuff to open on Christmas morning.
We arrive on Christmas Eve so no time to shop there though they will get some cash to choose souvenirs.
They’ll have things at home to open when we get back.

Any suggestions?
All I have so far are some novelty hand warmers. They’ve got hat/scarf/gloves which they’ll need as soon as we arrive.
I’m struggling a bit. Thanks

OP posts:
Report
tinysnickersaremyfavourite · 12/11/2019 13:37

Some sort of card based games?
Bluetooth headphones?

Report
tinysnickersaremyfavourite · 12/11/2019 13:38

I have a similar problem except DC are 5 and 3 and santa is bringing them a bike each so we have to do a fake early xmas at home.

Report
ColdRainAgain · 12/11/2019 13:52

snickers we used to photo big stuff under the tree at home before we flew, then print picture, and give to kids while away (and it's even better if you can get someone to put said big stuff under the tree while you are away so it's there when you get back).

Sunny food, clothing, posh toiletries, games, books. Anything that either doesn't need to come home, or stuff that a version of would be packed anyway is all good.

NB too many books in a suitcase can mean you are easily overweight. Go easy on the books if you can usually pack a case to close to the luggage allowance.

Report
soloula · 12/11/2019 13:55

Magazine subscription or vouchers for experiences? Zookeeper for a day, cookery classes, theme park passes, cinema vouchers...?

Report
Sunnydaysandholidays · 12/11/2019 16:51

Thanks. Headphones are a great idea.
I think nicer/fancier versions of things they’ll need anyhow will be the way to go too.

OP posts:
Report
tinyvulture · 12/11/2019 17:03

Nice underwear/PJs
Handbags and purses
Stationery items
Small cosmetics (nail varnish, spray, lip balm etc)
Paper-back book each.

Report
Ricekrispie22 · 12/11/2019 17:28

Fitbit/smart watch or normal watch
Phone case
DVD
Nail varnish
Lip balm
Purse/wallet
Rubix cube
Nano blocks
Metal Earth model

Report
reluctantbrit · 12/11/2019 18:27

Braclet or necklace
Purse
We have hand warmers which are also powerbanks, better than the novelty ones as they are easier to charge and re-use
Small stuffed toy or fluffy key ring for bags
New phone cover
New book or kindle voucher if they have one
New kindle if they don’t own one

Report
Sunnydaysandholidays · 12/11/2019 18:51

Thanks, this is great and much appreciated.
Off to search for power bank hand warmers. Forget the kids, I want one of those!

OP posts:
Report
RockingMyFiftiesNot · 12/11/2019 20:25

Are there any experience type things you could do while there (or are already planning on doing which they don't know about?) you could make your own vouchers . You say cold so if for example you are in a ski resort, a sleigh ride, a fondue night, a glacier visit. Might not be relevant to your destination but you get the gist!

Report
nicknamehelp · 12/11/2019 21:02

Tesco have small quiz type games which are small.

Report
Sunnydaysandholidays · 12/11/2019 21:06

Thanks @reluctantbrit, looks good.

We are doing a bunch of stuff while there but it’s mostly having a few things wrapped up in a stocking to open I got stuck on. Kids may be a bit older and don’t need to do it from santa but they still want to rip paper off!

OP posts:
Report
Ellmau · 12/11/2019 21:16

Vouchers

Do they have kindles? If so, download some new books for them overnight.

Adaptors so they can charge devices in presumably foreign location.

Nice handcream (useful in cold weather)/lip balm/shampoo/showergel

Chocolate/favourite sweets

Report
Dixey333 · 13/11/2019 18:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.