What do I do with all these presents?

[Astressie]

Covid restrictions hit us at Xmas and DD couldn't spend Xmas with us or her birthday (just before). She has just moved into an unfurnished flat, not much stuff of her own, so we wanted to help her out. I have a load of presents sitting here wrapped up for her including a large piece of furniture. Feel a bit sorry for myself and her. I haven't seen her for months (or anyone else for that matter). She is in her flat holding off buying things as her presents are sat here.

Any ideas on how to get them to her without costing a fortune and within restrictions? Really lacking in energy to find an answer to this one at the moment!

I think knowing she is more comfortable in her flat once she has the stuff will cheer you up!

I think it may cheer me up too knowing I've done something nice for her x

@Astressie

I will look up anyvan now. you are spurring me into action!!!

If it’s safe for a courier it’s safe for you, the risk is miniscule ! Just do it, for gods sakes she’s your daughter.

I wouldn’t drive. I would hire a man and van. Keeps someone employed. Then you can watch your DD open her presents over Zoom etc.

Surely it is much safer for Op to take the goods herself, considering she’s not generally coming into contact with anyone than having a random delivery man go into her house to collect and then transport the goods have to help load into dd’s house? I don’t understand the logic of getting a delivery driver if you can do it yourself Op? that is if you want to do it?

Sorry, that was a bit rambley. My point being the delivery driver will be coming into contact with a lot more people than you.

She can unwrap them online with you 😊

Just go. It's a necessary journey. She can't live in an unfinished flat.

Omg just drive and drop them off, it’s your daughter!

I’d have taken them by now.... and I’d have gone in her flat and had a coffee with her whilst she opened the presents!

You can get an idea of cost to collect and deliver furniture etc from Shipley.com - it's a price comparison site for couriers.

Parcel 2go is similar for parcels.

Personally as sad as this would be, I'd return it all and send her the money on gift cards with details of everything you bought :(

Anyvan quotes I got were £250-£400 to pick up two new rolled up carpets from a shop and deliver them a quarter of a mile up the road.

Be a cold day in hell before I put a job up on there again.

Man with a van

If I had a vehicle of my own, I wouldn't spend money on a mover unless it was worth it to me to avoid driving (or the furniture was too heavy to be easy for me to move myself).

As a PP said, if it's safe for the mover, it's safe for you. You won't be interacting with anyone. Maybe she can open things outside while you're there or wait until you get home so you can see her open them during a video call.

Try yodel or hermes for a price, there's also a "compare the market" type site for parcels

Otherwise a man and can service might work - I have used one to go 2 hours and it cost £180

Voluntary work is allowed under the guidelines.

Do you know anyone, say your husband, who would volunteer to be a delivery driver for the day?

Just check your insurance covers it.

Op I'd just do it. Really your DD needs the stuff, you probably need it out of the way. I'd have a walk in the park or something too.

Does she live alone? You can be her support bubble.

@movingonup20

Otherwise a man and can service might work - I have used one to go 2 hours and it cost £180

Don't fancy being in a can with a man 😂

Man with a van

Get some recommendations from your local Facebook page.

If you are able to courier the lighter items could you organise a Whatsapp or Zoom call to see her opening them? Then you get to see her opening them and she has some (virtual) company to share the opening with.

i agree i do need to get it out of the way- it's miserable looking at it all this stuff. Including a large set of boxed ladder shelves wrapped up in sheet covered in bows!!!

If you can drive there and back fairly easily in a day, drop them off - I would.

Or arrange for a carrier. We had to do that for a load of a niece’s stuff back in September - SW London to Cornwall.
There’s a website where you can state the rough weight/volume and sundry carriers will quote. I think it was called Any Van. IIRC the quotes varied quite a bit.