Presents for Australian children

[LoonyLunaLoo]

We’re going to visit friends in Australia for Christmas and I’d like to take some things that they can’t get in Australia for their children. The parents are English but have been in Australia for a long time and the children were born in Australia. Can anyone recommend some treats we could bring them? I’ve bought them and our DS matching elf pjs from Asda so a tube of sweets that they haven’t had before to go with them would make a nice Christmas even present. I guess chocolate wouldn’t survive the journey?

British food is really awful in comparison. I’m not sure I would bother. If you want to bring something purely for the novelty factor some Jaffa cakes or tinned beans with sausages in them would probably elicit some giggles.

what about a bag of percy pigs each (you could get each dc a different type). You can't get them over there and they are lovely :)

@Velveteenfruitbowl yeah I don’t want to bring loads of food over, just a few novelty treats. Percy Pigs sound perfect for the Christmas Eve gift. It doesn’t have to be food either!

Mini heart shaped marmites? They might hate them but a bit of fun as think Aussies are all about the vegemite?!

@flowerstar19 as long as I don’t have to eat any 😂

British food is really awful in comparison.

Really? I've never noticed much difference.

You may be banned from taking in some foods, tinned beans with sausages were confiscated from usi 20 years ago when I took them for the flight there for DD aged 18 months

Maybe crackers (to pull not for cheese) as I dont think they really do that in Australia

Having spent extensive time in Australia I think I would say the food here is better.

You can't take most foodstuffs to Australia - well, you can but they'll be confiscated on entry (and if they think it was anything other than a mistake, the fines can be hefty)

www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in

How about Lego or an origami set of a British landmark? Or a souvenir type book about Britain?

Christmas crackers are called Bon bons in Aus, they do have them. I'd do a massive bar of galaxy chocolate. Remember to declare it

You can take packaged commercial foods to Australia.which is most foods.

You can’t get Annuals there. So if they like mine craft or My Little Pony or whatever an annual would be interesting for them.

You can definitely get beans and sausages in Australia.

We always take packaged food at a Christmas, as long as you declare it, it isn’t a problem.

I always take clothes and books as they are a hell of a lot cheaper. British chocolate as it tastes differently to Aussie chocolate.

A board game for Christmas Day? We were given a rather lovely Beatrix Potter one. I think it came from the National Trust.
English themed pack of cards - we have packs with English birds, Kings and Queens of England.
Maybe something they can make together? The Natural History Museum has good activity kits.
A children’s art book from the Tate ?
Crackers are a great idea - English ones are so much better.
I’ve brought Fortnum and Mason Christmas puddings into Australia, you could do that and supply the sixpences which would be a novelty here!
Have a fantastic Christmas in Oz !

When we went, we took some notebooks and pens with phone boxes, black taxis, London buses, beefeaters etc. on them and they went down a treat. Even got taken to show & tell!

Aussie chocolate is horrible. The kids won’t know but take British chocolate or a selection box. I like the idea of Percy pig sweets. Sweeties are called Lollies in Australia.

Chocolate will survive. You just need to declare it.

You can take packaged commercial foods to Australia.which is most foods.

I take all kinds of stuff. Homemade Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings, chutneys, jam etc. I always declare it and I've never had a problem.

You can't take crackers on a plane, they are classed as explosives.

If they are old enough to appreciate the fun in "weird" definitely a tiny jar of marmite or something made with marmite. Because it's vegemite's weird cousin. Maybe even Bovril as well?

Some weird British crisps - maybe twiglets? Fish n chips. Pickled onion Monster Munch. Or if you want to go tamer, skips, quavers, wheat crunchies, McCoy's, Mini cheddars. Walkers Salt and Vinegar or Prawn Cocktail flavours.

Definitely a Cadbury's selection box.

Some other sweets I don't know if they have there or not:

Flying saucers
Licorice allsorts/dolly mixture
Iced gems
Haribo Tangfastics
Fruit Pastilles
Polo mints
Sherbet dib dab
Seaside rock (especially if you're near a resort town)

Yes, me too Phone.

Those are lovely ideas Mac. I've taken a London Underground jigsaw for a friend of DD's who was interested in trains.

My kids would love anything English. Some nice chocolates or food we don't get here, stationary, anything history (books etc), clothes..they'd love it all.
I like the Christmas Cracker idea too (we do call them crackers here and love them).

Kiwi here. I take Percy Pigs & Friends when I go home! They are rated by friends and family over there, even those who haven't lived over here. If the adults in your family are from an area where there is a particular local tea (Welsh/Yorkshire tea etc) they can go down well. PG Tips etc are widely available so not necessary to take. Regional specialities like Kendal Mint Cake or Scottish tablet are also well received.

Maybe Revels?

You definitely can take crackers on a plane!!! They must be in the original box. Often they're recommended to be put in the hold.

www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/restricted-and-unusual-items#:~:targetText=Christmas%20crackers%20or%20party%20poppers,avoid%20any%20confusion%20at%20security.

It might be a bit out of date but a friend who lives in Oz was desperate for Peppa Pig merchandise as although her kids watched the programme they couldn't buy anything over there. This was a few years ago though.