Ideas for a Christmas I can pack into a suitcase please

[LetTheSlaughterBeGincognito]

We are off to DH's homeland over Christmas. They don't really 'do' Christmas over there (some present exchanging but it's a recent import). I'd like to give my inlaws a treat and have a pop up Christmas.

The restrictions are:

Needs to be light (20kg luggage limit each and we are travelling with a baby and for three weeks)

They have NO OVENS so I need to codge a meal together through boiling/frying etc.

At the moment my list looks like this:

Bisto, seasonal paper table cloth, pudding and cake (pretty much wiping out the weight limit!) and crackers.

Any thoughts? I had a bloody awful Christmas last year due to pnd so I'd like to have a jolly festive time please.

in advance

How about posting a parcel of Christmas things now so you don't have to have it all in your luggage?

Or google expat shopping online for a direct service, but prob cheaper to send your own.

Really interesting post, I'm having a good think...how about if you forget the traditional food and take instead paperchains to be made up, other decorations, western festive serviettes, a book of Christmas stories and games, music. Go with the food that you can obtain locally. I'm really intrigued as to where you are going and is the fact that they have no ovens geographically significant?

Sorry, wasn't meaning to be cryptic - we're off to Japan. The face is because no matter how many times I go I just can't get my head round it! Of course they do exist over there (!) but most people don't seem to have one. Just like most people over here don't have a rice cooker, I guess.

Just thought of a good one - I have a Christmas oil blend to fill their house with the festive spirit!

Poundland are selling small inflatable christmas trees - gloriously tacky

Just thought I'd mention that you aren't allowed to take crackers on an aircraft (check with your airline though - things may have changed since I worked for an airline).

Hope you have a great time.

If you are going to Japan, check out themeatguy.co.jp. You can get turkeys ready to eat and all the trimmings. Also, try flying pig (can't remember the exact web address, sorry!) but they do Costco deliveries and there are a lot of imported foods there. Where abouts are you going? If it's anywhere near Kobe/Osaka there are loads of 'foreign' shops where you'll be able to find all the Christmas foods/decorations etc.

Have fun!

Yep bebe, Osaka. We mostly hang out round Umeda - I'm sure there'll be something.

Mirai I was wondering about frying chicken breast?

Do they have a BBQ? We often cook a whole bird on the BBQ.

In that case, definitely try Price Club and the Foreign Buyers Club on Rokko Island. I go there every once in a while so if nearer the time you want me to check on their stock for particular things, just let me know!