Ideas for Australia

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Please can some Mumsnetters give me some ideas as to what I can send out to my DD in Oz?

I'm in the UK, she went out four years ago now and is settled and working in Melbourne (well, she is when not in lockdown). She comes back once every three years or so, but I want to send her out something for Christmas. Previously I've either put money in her account or sent her tiny light things, like earrings.

I want to send her something to remind her of home, that doesn't cost a fortune to post, is useful or pretty and all that, and preferably something that she can't get in Australia.

Any ideas?

I love it when people at home send things made locally. A shawl, a blanket, jewellery, British cook book, local art.

What about a printed map of where she grew up, you can get them printed and framed over here so cheaper on the postage too

https://chelseachelsea.com.au/product/yorkshire-map-print/?gclid=CjwKCAjwNX7BRA1EiwA2dpg0huMyEh1HXJ7ZrftLG8zPjv6OArFvnbEt2Kr9bF8-QBLbGRDltpt-xoC7W0QAvDD_BwE

This is just small but check and see if her old primary school do Christmas Cards. We send them to people who have moved away, supports the school and gives them a nice nostalgic feeling at Christmas when childhood memories are prominent.

As long as it’s declared, posting sealed/packaged commercial food is totally fine. Sending a homemade cake - not so much.

When I lived abroad, it was definitely food that I missed most. That and cheap clothes as Australia in particular is expensive.

I send a package to the US each year do different restrictions but maybe some ideas -
I look for light weight clothes - scarf, gloves, fluffy socks, maybe a top or something like a silk pillowcase. I usually put in a piece or two of jewellery. A Christmas bauble. Light weight treats - posh marshmallows are great. This year I’m thinking of a tea advent calendar, or maybe making one myself with wrappers printed with a quotation each day. I have a box of bath roses which are very light and some face masks for pampering. I keep an eye out for little notebooks, shopping bags, pens, book marks and other silly little things - it’s more about letting the recipient know that we are thinking of them than getting a perfect gift. She can afford to buy exactly what she wants. I always put a Christmas scented tea light in too just to give it a smell of Christmas too.

I’m sending from RoI so again, different to you, but I’ve found that it can actually be cheaper to split a box in two once it gets over a certain weight or size because the price shoots up. It might be worth taking a look at the price chart for your carrier to see if there’s a sweet spot. I get a box in the right dimensions and add bits to it as I see them, weighing it as I go and aiming to keep it under a target weight.

Hi The book Depository do free delivery world wide and have some great deals on books

Aus and NZ are up to 30 days delivery though so one to plan ahead for

She's not a book reader, Chocolate but thanks for the thought, and neither is she particularly sentimental, but reminders of her primary school are a great idea!

Maverick - I bought her a load of clothes when I was over, as a birthday present (I always find that the clothes are much cheaper in Oz - Target and Walmart have Primark level costs for much better quality!) so don't really need to buy her more.

We used to live in Oz. M&S was my go to as they had toiletries and make up too.
There’s always Interhampers Australia. They have hampers with beer/wine etc seeing as it’s their summer.

I always send my relatives in Scotland some confectionery like tablet, coconut ice, shortbread Cadbury chocolate and a new bauble for the Christmas tree.
I’ve never had any problems getting it through and in case you didn’t know you can weigh the items at home and work out the postage yourself so that it doesn’t take your breath away when you get to the post office

In Australia, we are from Scotland so they like Scottish products sent over

Crisps are fine, we get sent twisties & we send monster munch in return!

There is no Walmart in Australia.

The RACV resort in Torquay has a gorgeous spa that you could arrange a voucher for. Or a night's stay and a meal. They do an amazing Xmas lunch but I expect she has plans if staying with inlaws.

Or Go Ride A Wave surfing or paddleboard lessons? They do gift vouchers too, my son learned to surf with them and it's a very professionally run school.

Please be aware that Australia is not accepting any international mail at the moment. Unless anything changes on the next couple of months you'll need to buy something in Oz that can be delivered.

I second the David Jones idea- I was there yesterday and they have gorgeous imported fortnum and mason Christmas biscuit tins (including a lovely musical carousel one). Not a lot more British are Christmas than Fortnums goodies!

search.www.davidjones.com/search?w=fortnum%20%26%20mason

@Figgyboa not entirely true, some Mail is being returned depending on country of origin.

I have sent two parcels in the last couple of months, one received earlier this week. They are getting through, just taking longer.

I agree something cute and local that money can’t buy in Australia.
I got cards and a parcel in the last few weeks from the UK but they took FOREVER

I second the use of British Corner Shop - we use them to send items to our friends in the US and Middle East, but would encourage you to sort sooner rather than later as they get really, really busy from now up to early Xmas cut off!

Binky she's already been to the spa several times with her partner's mum and she can already paddleboard. But these are great ideas!

I think I'm going with British Corner Shop to send some edible goodies and might put a few small local things in with a (very local) Christmas card. And yes, I know, I've got to get a move on!

@MaverickDanger, that's good to know. I tried to send a parcel for my nephew's birthday last week and i was told at the post office and confirmed by Royal Mail on the phone, they were not shipping to Australia since Australia weren't accepting them.

How about a mini stocking advent calendar and 25 tiny little things to go in it and remind her of home (fridge magnet/packet of refreshers type things)
Calendar something like this?
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/729142779/adventchristmas-calendar-mini-stockings?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=stocking+advent+calendar&ref=sr_gallery-1-2

Oh that's a really good idea, Londonmummy! It's a wonderful Christmas decoration too!

To be honest it sounds like she'll open it and be momentarily pleased but not delighted and then set it to one side....which is fine when you're not paying 50 plus quid for delivery.

It does sound like she's dropped many hints about monster munch so if you're able to send those within the restrictions send them!

You say she isn't sentimental and there's nothing she wants so you'd probably be better going for the Christmas foods from m&s

Or you could send her a covid face mask with "if it's not from Yorkshire, it's shite" printed in

Light, useful and accurate

When I was in Australia my dad sent chocolate (I’m not 100% on if it’s allowed) and It was amazing also didn’t melt..! They have something in the chocolate there to stop it melting and it’s not nice! He also got me a voucher for a cruse/lunch thing that was really nice and showed he had obviously been looking about where I stayed!

I know you said you’ve sent her jewellery before but maybe a wee engraved bracelet or something? Xx