Ideas for DD who is going to live abroad

[WhatWouldHopperDo]

My DD (26) is leaving to live and work in South East Asia in February - she'll be gone for at least a year, possibly longer.

So I don't want to buy her a load of Christmas presents she will either have to lug around the world or leave behind. Her Birthday was only a few weeks ago and she mainly had books and hair/skin stuff.

We are buying her new luggage at her request but do I have to accept that I probably can't buy her the usual pile of 'bits' that I usually do?

I will but lots of lovely foodie treats but does anyone have any other ideas?

What's your budget? A v high quality snorkel mask would be a great pressie if she is going to be by the sea.

Thanks @quoque - I'll ask if she'd be interested - she is by the sea.

A nice experience to do together before she goes?

Sunscreen. Alot of sunscreens in SE contain whitener. Similar for beuaty products.

Some of her favoruite british snacks in small sizes to take with her.

Packing cubes
Money belt
Sewing kit
Solar phone charger
Travel towel
Walking sandals
Sun cream/deodorant (can't always get in Asia)
Light, quick dry clothing that is easy to care for

I was given a passport cover - not something I would have bought for myself but I really liked it.
Also when I lived in Asia my kindle was a lifesaver as there were limited English language books in shops.

What about a pre paid credit card that she could use when she gets back to get?
A kindle so she can have her books but not have to cart them about ?

if she is taking electrical goods (eg hairdryer...) converter plug? Sunglasses.

Depends where she is going. And if she is planning to travel (back pack) before / after. Or whether work are shipping stuff to her.

If she's a reader, does she already have a Kindle?

SE Asia is a big area so what's available locally (and what she might need/want) very much depends on where she'll be. It's the difference between a village in Laos and being in Central Hong Kong (where you can shop in M&S Food at 8pm on a Sunday night so way more civilised than the UK!)

I think a Kindle is the best suggestion if she's a reader as English language material is often more expensive, and not always as readily available.

I'd hold off on things like toiletries and make-up etc as the locally available products are usually more suited to the climate (as well as cheaper) and she may end up swapping everything out. I ended up changing all my make-up when I moved to SE Asia as my usual UK bought brands just slid down my face in the humidity. The deodorant out there was much more effective too!

In expat land, she'll also get access to good US and Australian brands so she won't be short of choices (unless she's in that village in Laos) and a lot of tech in SE Asia is often way ahead of the UK. My broadband in SE Asia was faster 10 years ago than my broadband in central London (despite me being for the fastest you can get here!)

Was going to suggest a Kindle. I was given one before living abroad for a year, and it was a godsend. Especially useful when travelling as it meant I didn't need to try and fit a whole book in.

Thanks all, there are some great suggestions here. She has kindle on her ipad and I did ask her if she wanted an actual kindle but she didn't!

You can all throw things at me for my stupid error - it's not SOUTH east Asia as per my OP but East - she is going to South Korea and she'll be city based.

I like the idea of something we can do together before she goes. She leaves her current job 3 weeks before she departs so we may be able to have a few days away.

A hot water bottle cover (and the bottle)... I have a sloth one I take with me - S. Korea gets chilly. Depending on her size, undies... bras can be difficult to buy if you've got bigger boobs, a nice mug, tote bags/ the big bags you get from Primark/TK Max. Fluffy slipper socks as floors get cold and probably not carpeted. An egg poacher (one of the saucepan ones with 2/4 cups), subscription to a VPN (get her to find out which one works best), Echo or similar linked to her UK amazon account.... can use it to make free calls hone if she's got Internet, lemsip, multi vitamins.