Is there anything Christmassy that we do/eat in the UK that doesn't really happen overseas?

[RainbowDashed]

My siblings are spending Christmas abroad this year with their in-laws in Poland and America. I'd like to send them a parcel to take with them, to share British Christmas customs with their in-laws, problem is I have no idea what, if anything, is unique to the UK at Christmas. Mince pies? Erm... anything at all? Any ideas?? Thanks

Boiled carp

I'm not looking to change anyone's Christmas traditions, but thought it might be fun and interesting for my siblings' in laws to try some British food, and nice also for siblings to have some home comforts . Not going to spend a fortune! They probably won't have a huge amount of baggage space or weight anyway.

Mince pies
Miniature Bailey's and port
Quality street
Chocolate coins
Shortbread
Chutney

Nothing perishable

No crackers

What about a jar of cranberry sauce, small and easy to pack, and will go with various cold meats, not only turkey, or spicey Christmas chutney would work too.
Brandy butter is another idea.

Cranberries are American (but may not be available in Poland).

Christmas crackers - you can get ones without explosives to send in the post.

Oh lord, the Polish carp gives me the willies. It's a tradition in this part of Germany too - we're close to Poland- and you're supposed to keep the bugger in the bath for days beforehand.

I've been doing an 'expat' Christmas for many a year, despite being otherwise well integrated into my adopted country.

I'm glad you've worked out the problem with crackers - stupid to waste your money or get into trouble trying to bring them over on a plane. What you can do is find a British shop in the US that does online orders and delivery and get them posted to the address your family will be at. That's how we get ours these days. In fact, that's how I get all my British stuff sent. I do an order in Early December and it all comes in a big box. It isn't cheap, but for you it would work out best because you won't have postage or transport costs to the US.

In my goodies package we always have:

Mince pies
Box box of Roses or Quality Street
Chocolate orange
Ambrosia custard
Crackers
Chutney
Oatcakes
Pickled onions
Stuffing mixture
An assortment of real ales (Speckled Hen etc)

If we didn't make the following we would buy:
A. Christmas pud
Christmas cake
Cranberry sauce

We can source some things locally:
Cheddar
Stilton
Maltesers

The company might even offer hamper gift wrapping. It really is the easiest option.

I send crackers to my friend in Finland every December. Never been a problem

Not quite as good as home made but nearly!

Betty's have a special "Christmas overseas" section here which should give you some ideas if nothing else!

Fortnum and mason is your friend here. Not necessarily to buy from there but for ideas. Although their gentlemen's relish is reasonable and they do a Christmas chutney that is heaven. Chutney is heavy tho and not ideal for posting.

What about after 8s? And a game like happy families?

Crackers in the US, and very likely just about everywhere else.

I've posted a few several times to an American niece who loved them.

I was aware that you're not supposed to, but can't see in what circs. they'd ever constitute a genuine hazard.

That list would take up too much weight in airline baggage IMO.

Weight and space.

If I am in UK before Christmas and travelling back to the continent, I try and bring back a truckle of very good cheddar.

Yes, obviously cheddar a bit too heavy to post!

Please don’t post crackers, it’s not allowed... and you can’t fly with them. The saddest/funniest thing we see every year is the people opening suitcases and solemnly pulling each cracker banger out. My kids think it’s hilarious as we see several every year.

Also be careful about anything wrapped. Normally it’s okay but you can be asked to unwrap things which is an utter pain if you don’t have spare paper. I wrap stuff abroad now and pack it and the paper separately for the cases.

You can fly with crackers but only if they are in checked in luggage and there's a limit on how many packs you can check in. My MIL brings them over for us and she's checked them in with SAS, British Airways and Norwegian.

A bag of Brussel sprouts!

Posh tea (bags or loose leaf)
Marmalade
Selection box
Shortbread (with tartan packaging of course)

Polish people liked the following I took for Christmas there: Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and minced pies.

They've been selling crackers in TJ Max/Marshalls the past few years in the US.

A tin of posh biscuits will be popular in Poland.
Port would be an excellent thing to bring but you cannot carry it through the security.