DS will be travelling in Australia this Christmas - help!

[jocktamsonsbairn]

So he'll be away Oct - Oct and although I am so proud and happy for him, part of me is struggling! My baby boy won't be home for Christmas! I am planning to put a stocking in his bag but can't get into the Christmas zone just yet. Any ideas for things he'll love/find useful/can carry abroad?? Apart from Percy Pigs which are essential apparently! He's 22 so not really an actual baby boy 😂

I think having things to carry around will be too much of a burden.

I'd gift money, or pay for an experience as a gift.

Can I just say that the 22 year old me would have loved a small stocking from my mum like this.
I was away with school on trips for my birthday on more than one occasion and my mum always sent me with a few small gifts. I loved it.
OP you know your son and if he would appreciate this kind of sentimental idea. I would but keep it small, light and practical.

OP I used to use the British Corner Shop website to order British foods I couldn't get when I lived abroad. You could use this nearer the time to send him some British treats which he'll probably be starting to miss around Xmas time. I think that and a transfer of cash would be much better than sending stuff for the sake of it. Their Xmas section isn't up yet but I used to love picking out stuff I missed and they are very good.

https://www.britishcornershop.co.uk

Remember the vibe of Xmas will be totally different in Oz so he'd probably prefer to have money to spend locally and might not want to be reminded of what he is missing?

That being said, my mum used to send me care packages of tea, chocolate, biscuits and magazines and I was always so happy get these but I think Oz might be stricter so if you want to send food probably best to use something official like the website above.

It was over 30 years ago but my mum sent me Marmite ,walkers crisps and Cadbury chocolate bars .

Just send him something at Xmas.. or cash. Don’t make him carry a stocking in October!

Firstly, if he's going for a year, he'll be counting grams to get all the stuff he actually needs under the airline weight limit. Don't make that more difficult for him.
Secondly, half the stuff suggested won't get through Australian customs (no food, wood etc).
Thirdly, just give him money (a lot, it's super expensive over there) and post him a card. And get some perspective!

Please don't put anything in his bag that he does not know the contents of. He's 22. Just give him some money.

Thank you! I wasn't going to send him with a bumper stocking or anything ridiculous like some of the Santa socks you hear about on here, but a few small things like Rainbowqueen and Juliaahollyberry suggested. He's been working abriad and I sent him a parcel of Oervy Pufs and such lije which he loved. He has no idea where he'll be for Christmas but I know he would t mind carrying a few extra bits with him so he has something from home on Xmas day. I would have been the same. He will get money transferred to him and we know how to do this, I was just looking for a few ideas.
Love the idea of new pants, I hadn't thought of them - I will include some 'bawbags' Scottish boxers which are a bit sunny but raise money for charity and a few other useful
Bits mentioned along with Percy Pigs. So it will be new versions of things he will have declared at customs. I'm not that stupid!!
The 22 year old travelling me would also have loved this regardless of how or where I was spending Christmas!! Partly why I was posting on the Christmas thread. I know him, that's why I know a few wee bits will
Make him happy (plus the cash of course!). He might also be homesick by Dec as he's already been away for months.

I was thinking this the other day!
I went travelling over Xmas - I really appreciated a picture advent calendar. It was just something nice and bit "homely" without taking up loads of space. Travel guides like lonely planet for places he's going is also nice. If he uses a specific face wash or aftershave etc that he won't be able to buy over there?

Thank you Rhino, it's good to know others understand! Yes I am struggling (single parent) but I know he'll want wee bits too - he appreciated them in America! I would have loved an advent calendar too! 😂
I posted him a parcel to USA but it took weeks to get there and he'll be moving around more in Oz so can't rely on anything getting there on time!

In the nicest way, don’t be mad.

He’s travelling, he doesn’t want a load of crap in his luggage.

He’s of an age when he is looking forward.

Just transfer him some cash so he can go out with his mates and arrange a time to Skype. If he really is the sentimental type then you could send him a parcel from a British food supply shop in Aus of a few things he likes and can’t get there, but I expect he is too young for that -

Just to say he will be fine my DD has recently returned from Aus, NZ, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali and Thailand. She had the best time! Also she 'talked' to me every single day. Be thankful he is going in an age of technology! Even on the tiniest island off the coast of Cambodia she had Wi-Fi!

Oh! I forgot! She went just after Christmas so bought her little things like a St, Christopher, a travel pillow, a hand held fan and an air bnb voucher for a bit of luxury every once in a while!

That's what I was thinking it might be better to post it out there.
British snacks and toiletries that he can't get out there- find out what he's missing when he gets there?

A jazzy microfibre towel is useful and a colourful neck gaiter. I get my supplies of British marmite and Coleman’s mustard from Coles international isle. You might be able to get a mini Christmas cake sent to him - check out Maggie Beer site nearer to Christmas.

@ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS tragically I haven't seen dark chocolate oranges here for years. The manky milk chocolate ones are available but not the GOAT.

I’ve just thought of a few more things I found useful backpacking, mind it was 30 years ago and S.E.Asia not Oz.

Sleeping bag liner, mine is silk and I still use it for certain types of holidays all these years later as I’m sure whilst the bedding is clean it’s a bit past it’s best in some of the more interesting places we stay and it just feels less ick to be inside the liner. Hardly weighs a thing and is tiny. One of the best thing I was gifted before we set off.

Backpack space - I massively over packed, as do the gap year-ers we host for a few days (live overseas expensive place) at the start of their adventures so I don’t think a couple extra kilos is here nor there, is life lesson you really don’t need that much stuff. I started with an 80litre bag almost as big as me and had soon swapped for 40litres.

Compression sacks the type sleeping bags come in, still use these to squish down clothing when travelling with rucksacks. Packing cubes don’t squish down as much are still useful for organising bits in pack. These are very light and take up no room and something you need more than 1 of.

Dry bags, another one always comes in useful in a different size. I suspect he can get in OZ but quality ones are pricier. Lightweight and don’t take up much room.

Advent calendar, I’d have loved one, now husband definitely not. I have seen small ones the size of a Christmas card.

Just give him money. It's bloody expensive here.

Good shout on the silk sleeping bag liner. Mine is almost 20 years old and still gets used a few times a year. My toiletry bag from my trans Siberian trip is just about done and that was 20 plus years ago too. It has a hanging hook and roll out thingy so good for hostel bathrooms, camping, etc.

Skip food. Even if declared it's a bit of a pain and depending on which airport (looking at you Sydney) they can be really arsey about it, or the country of origin of fellow travelers.

Favourite toothpaste might be worthwhile.
But money to try the different food (and booze) here is probably worthwhile. Food is bloody expensive here particularly on the road stuff, or cafes $4.50 is cheap for a small no frills coffee. Also attractions and stuff are expensive so a day pass to a zoo or similar might be a cool present, or the movies here.

I’m a Aussie. Don’t fill his bag. He will probably be “adopted” for Christmas lunch by mates. He can buy chocolate oranges and most of the traditional treats here. It will probably be nice for him to experience our traditional treats like mangoes and prawns and beach cricket. Post him some silly pajamas or Christmas socks annd jocks and just FaceTime him.

When I was in the UK (from Australia)for Christmas mum sent me a few little things I would normally get in my Santa stocking. Not much and most of it was edible, but it made me smile and feel like it was Christmas.

I am a bit confused this implies you are thinking if you are sending food stuff that as long as he has declared something similar it’s ok for customs? If this is correct sorry to be a Barhbug but he need would need to declare all good in his bag. Australia is very protective of its flaura and fauna - they can Xray luggage on the way out plus use sniffer dogs.

You can also get a local place to where he is staying to do a delivery. A good friend of mine had a baby last year ( she’s close to Melbourne) and I just looked up local town and had bakery deliver a large try of Brownies.
Maybe you can get something similar- local cafe voucher, or delivery from nearby.

We also use British supermarket to where we live once a year. Often before Xmas or Easter they do free delivery over x amount. Stock up on Marmite, and Bisto! They sell Percy pigs and likes as it has an m and s contract also.

He doesn't know where he'll be at Christmas NOW, but he will do closer to the time.

He'll have to lug it around, if it all doesn't get taken away at customs first. The idea is cute but it's not practical for 3 months of backpacking.

They have postal services in Aus.

A brilliant and very compact game is one called LCR. A very easy dice game but fab for playing in groups - I was on a mountain trek a couple of weeks ago and took this (v v minimal luggage). Everyone wanted to join in, had laughs together and at least 3 have ordered it since returning.

A great way to break ice and meet people which may be helpful on the travelling circuit!