Can anyone help with some gift ideas? Please... I'm useless....

[BlueHarry]

It's for a male friend. He's 44 years old. He moved out to the US years ago. I'm in the UK.

He was a great support when I went through a bereavement. I want him to know I'm thinking about him now. It's not a special occasion. He's had a tough couple of years and I can't be there for him like he was for me so I just wanted to send a little something to let him know I care. My budget is maybe £40 at a push. Ideally lower.

bearhugsgifts.com/

I wanted to get him one of these, but they won't deliver to the US. I'm thinking it will have to be something off Amazon but they're so huge I don't know where to begin.

Why dont you get it sent to yourself and then you send it to the US?

I did wonder about that, but firstly I'd need to pay delivery twice and secondly I wasn't sure if there are any customs laws or anything when it comes to posting abroad

I emailed that company to ask if it was possible for them to deliver to him and they told me the reason they'd stopped delivering there was problems with customs. I am worried I'd have the same problem

What sort of person is he? Hobbies? Interests?

What about flowers ? A pretty universal gift that says 'I'm thinking about you'

He doesn't really have any big hobbies, likes sports. I wanted to get something l suppose kind of like flowers but not flowers.

Why don't you make up your own box with little gifts and food stuff you know he likes and can't get in the US.

How about Lego?

I don't think he's into Lego. A box like walkon suggested is just the kind of thing I was thinking, but am worried about it getting held at customs (I really know nothing about how it all works...can I send anything I want?)

Which specific items in the hug in the box did you like and want to replicate? Could source similar on Amazon.com?

Find a company in America that do something similar so delivery isn't a problem??

There are companies offering to deliver eg British food in America if you wanted that - eg

parkersbritishinstitution.com

Thank you. I still can't decide. I wanted to send something that would be the equivalent of a hug. He told me he's been suicidal and I feel a bit shit that I can't be there like he was for me.

That parkers site looks great though. Pie is possibly as close to a hug as I can manage.

I get that you want to send a hug in a box - how about eg

https://www.amazon.com/Blankiegram-Hugs-Blanket-Perfect-Caring/dp/B07NCW93W8/ref=pdawwsbs14413?encoding=UTF8&pddrdi=B07NCW93W8&pddrdr=99893809-6ab5-4e5c-84df-30cf07074078&pddrdw=NKpRU&pddrdwg=jB9By&pffrdp=5c6e5bde-0dc6-44bf-853b-26c318f4dfa4&pffrdr=33XWPWM84WWVMKXQTZ2T&psc=1&refRID=KCSD21K3PWD1V5HAYDTFF__

And_

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Hug-Mug-Ceramic-Coffee/dp/B00IQUALH8/ref=mpssa1110?keywords=hug&qid=1579978814&sr=8-10

With maybe

https://www.amazon.com/100-Hugs-Little-Book-Comfort/dp/1449427294/ref=mpp_saa18?keywords=hug&qid=1580000227&sr=8-8

I would get a box and send him some little bits and pieces myself. Favourite sweets / chocolate ( US chocolate is shit) or tea / coffee,( maybe with an Aeropress) local honey or preserves ( although check they’re allowed) a postcard from your area or a small homemade photo album, an interesting book, a “ mix tape” of favourite music and a handwritten letter. It will be ok through customs if you have no prohibited items and it’s a gift. If you need some ideas check out this book on care packages ... I have it and there are so many good ideas in it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Care-Packages-Michelle-Mackintosh/dp/1743791380?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

The hug mug is great and the aeropress I like the idea of too! Thank you for the help!!

You can upgrade a bear hug to us delivery for £11?

Where did you see that RJ? I emailed them to ask about sending to the US and they said they did not. Could that have been a mistake I wonder

bearhugsgifts.com/custom-products/shipping-upgrade-usa

Really hope this is the right thing!

It looks like it is the right thing! I wonder if they added it after my email. They 100% told me they no longer ship to the US because of customs problems. They did say they hoped to offer the service again soon though... But this is less than a week after I contacted them so I wouldn't have thought to check so soon! Blimey.

I've just dug up their email and they said: I am so sorry! Hopefully one day we will be able to send our hugs to America again, when we do we will make sure to update our website :-)

Sadly I will have to wait for next month for the money to buy what I wanted but that's great news! Thank you RJ!