DD abroad, ideas for shipping/ordering if can't make it home for xmas

[ifonly4]

DD is presently studying abroad. She definitely wants to come home for xmas and will pay for PCRs either way, but she's in a country (Germany) that rumoured might go on the red list and it's not feasible to pay for hotel quarantine.

I'm thinking about putting a small xmas box together to send/ordering a few things that can be delivered in case she can't make it home. Does anyone have any suggestions for small light things to send or a good online site in Germany?

There isn't another English student there, so could be on her own so want to prepare.

Would they get there in time?

Amazon.de is your friend!

The main thing is to make sure she doesn't get stung with customs charges - I'm not in Germany but France and there are lots of people are ending up with customs charges on gifts from the U.K. Check the import/customs limits for sending gifts to Germany if you're sending the package yourself.

Some U.K. companies have set themselves up so that there are no charges for the recipient - for example if she's into makeup/skincare, Cult Beauty has an eu/international site and Lookfantastic has a French one so probably a German one too. Monsoon, M&S & Boden have European sites for example - so if she likes a particular brand it's worth checking if there's a local German site rather than buying yourself and sending.

I think the last posting date for UK-EU is something like 16 December.

Hope she makes it home!

We just packed parcels for family in Germany. In order to be fairly cheap it has to be under 2kg. Also, the value can't be more than €45, so around £37. I had to split presents for my mum into two parcels and leave two things out. You still have to write custom declaration though.

I will give up next year. It is easier to buy via Amazon and send it as a gift. You can change your language settings on Amazon.de if you don't speak German.

In the past Boden and Next had German sites, not sure if that's still the case. Check if you can send parcels straight from a company in the UK, some are set up that the recipient is not paying taxes but do check in advance.

I think the last posting date for UK-EU is something like 16 December.
I recently sent a parcel first class and it took 10 working days....so don't rely on that, send it ASAP.

This is the customs form that you’ll need. www.postoffice.co.uk/dam/jcr:d3c1e648-20b8-45a6-87db-e976742c08a8/custom-declaration-cn22.pdf

As PP has mentioned, keep the contents under £37. Also, make it clear that the parcel is a gift, and your dd shouldn’t have to pay through the nose to receive it!

I’ve done something similar (not Germany though) and this is what I put in:
Maltesers reindeer
Aero festive orange bar
Dedoles odd socks
Christmas pudding coffee www.poundshop.com/beanies-christmas-pudding-coffee-50g.html
Christmas teabags
Packet of custard powder
Christmassy bar of soap and bath bomb from Lush
Earrings
Novelty lip balm
Invisibobble hair ties

Thanks for your replies.

Does anyone know if it's ok to send food? Will have a good look at German websites today.

She now tells me two friends have tested positive, so not looking good. She's with international students and many will find it easier to travel home from what I can gather, so I want to be on top of this. Can't have her virtually on her own (luckily flat mate staying who doesn't celebrate xmas though) and no presents!

I would get everything from a local website.
The €45 euro thing makes no difference our end, we still receive many items valued £5 secondhand gift form parents and get charged €20 of customs duty.

Amazon.de is the easiest option, you can log in via your normal Amazon.uk account. Or if you do buy via Amazon.uk they add the postage and custom charges at checkout so you can pay them ( they are cheaper there as it’s €10 just handling fee if they aren’t pre done)

If you want to send food, I'd use British Corner Shop.

@ifonly4 is it feasible for her to come back earlier than planned?

I’d look at couriers as well as Royal Mail. Parcel Monkey is good

I googled lots and found local shops when my DB worked in Bruges a few Christmas’ ago. I called them, used google translate and between that and broken English managed to send him a mini potted tree and decorations from the florist, Christmas cake and some chocolate buns from a bakery, a stocking with ales from a brewery. It wasn’t cheap but he was overjoyed.