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Original poster

What are people doing with presents for folks that can no longer be there at xmas

70 replies

Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 22:37

So 2 DSs in their 20’s. Both living and working in london and Kent . We’re in north west. All set for our 3 household Xmas up here - presents they’d asked for wrapped and under tree already!
They’re obviously not coming now given tier 4 etc
What are other folks doing?

  • put them all away into storage for full on Xmas family get together later next year- realistically may/ June or maybe even next Xmas?
  • risk sending by post even though cost a fortune in postage ( one is a vinyl deck), won’t arrive by Xmas day now and possibly get stuck in royal mails brexit backlog and maybe disappear entirely
  • give individually next time we see them hopefully in spring when we could met up outside for a quick visit and present handover but no real celebration which seems a bit deflating
OP posts:
StatisticalSense · 19/12/2020 22:42

If there is any way of returning them and purchasing alternative presents that can be delivered straight to their houses I would probably do that. I would still try and send alternatives if I could afford to do so if I couldn't return the originals (as it'd be much easier than trying to post the originals and I wouldn't want people going with nothing to open) and what would happen to the originals would depend on what they are (if it's something that I wouldn't use and wouldn't go off or become dated I'd save it for next year).

CrispySeaweedIsReallyCabbage · 19/12/2020 22:43

I thought this might happen, so sent some on. The rest, we're saving the rest for a Spring/Summer fakemas.

Doidontimmm · 19/12/2020 22:45

Have a look at DPD, I sent a really heavy item 400 miles for £20!

Original poster
Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 22:47

@StatisticalSense

If there is any way of returning them and purchasing alternative presents that can be delivered straight to their houses I would probably do that. I would still try and send alternatives if I could afford to do so if I couldn't return the originals (as it'd be much easier than trying to post the originals and I wouldn't want people going with nothing to open) and what would happen to the originals would depend on what they are (if it's something that I wouldn't use and wouldn't go off or become dated I'd save it for next year).
Is it not too late to get any presents delivered direct to them...I thought most places stopped guaranteed delivery around 16-18th?
OP posts:
Original poster
Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 22:48

@Doidontimmm

Have a look at DPD, I sent a really heavy item 400 miles for £20!
Ok...I’ll do that..thanks
OP posts:
MrsAvocet · 19/12/2020 22:49

I'm sending my DD's presents by courier.

Suzyeve · 19/12/2020 22:49

😔 I feel for you.. I'd ask them what they would like to happen x

Cheesypea · 19/12/2020 22:51

I've posted items. Regretting it now.

Bobbybobbins · 19/12/2020 22:55

Check out courier services. Thought this might happen so sent ours a couple of days ago.

sproutsandparsnips · 19/12/2020 22:56

We were only going to meet outside to exchange presents with my parents (we are Wales and they are England tier 3) but now we can't even do that so some time sensitive presents ie calendars will be posted and one lightweight item each (they have bought my teenage son some T-shirts and he needs some!). As soon as they are allowed to drop off presents they will and we will open over zoom. Then we will meet up properly when w3 can do so safely and legally. It is spectacularly shit Sad

Papillon1 · 19/12/2020 22:59

We’re using packlink via eBay. They’ve got a half price offer at the moment. Mine are being collected by DHL from my house on Monday and should arrive next day. (Hopefully!)

Original poster
Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 23:00

@Cheesypea

I've posted items. Regretting it now.
Why? Cos they’re stuck in backlog?
OP posts:
ChristmasTreeFairy5000 · 19/12/2020 23:02

I did most of my Christmas shopping online and had it delivered to the recipient's addresses. Just because I didn't know what would happen.

My DP presents are at my house, but we live close enough that we can make a quick pit stop to drop them off.

Original poster
Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 23:02

@sproutsandparsnips

We were only going to meet outside to exchange presents with my parents (we are Wales and they are England tier 3) but now we can't even do that so some time sensitive presents ie calendars will be posted and one lightweight item each (they have bought my teenage son some T-shirts and he needs some!). As soon as they are allowed to drop off presents they will and we will open over zoom. Then we will meet up properly when w3 can do so safely and legally. It is spectacularly shit Sad
Good idea...drop off at earliest lifting individually then zoom all together for the unwrapping...sounds a bit better then just drop off and unwrap individually...
OP posts:
olderthanyouthink · 19/12/2020 23:04

Tomorrow I'm going to wrap and send my Dnieces presents at the least. Not sure about everyone else's tbh, some is v heavy and some is v breakable

Floralnomad · 19/12/2020 23:04

I sent a package from Kent to the Scottish highlands last week , special delivery and despite the PO lady repeatedly saying they couldn’t guarantee next day delivery to the postcode it did infact arrive within 12 hours , and not too expensive including insurance .

olderthanyouthink · 19/12/2020 23:05

But ticked off we threw up loads of the boxes because I might need them now 🤦‍♀️

Cheesypea · 19/12/2020 23:07

Worried they wont get there.

APurpleSquirrel · 19/12/2020 23:08

Check out discount couriers too - they buy space on the big named couriers vans at a reduced rate. We sent two boxes to London last week, would have been £30+ with Royal Mail or courier direct; paid £15 with a discount one. Try parcelhero etc - check out moneysavingexpert for a full list.

Original poster
Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 23:12

@Cheesypea

Worried they wont get there.
Keeping fingers crossed for you!
OP posts:
Original poster
Imaginetoday · 19/12/2020 23:14

@Suzyeve

😔 I feel for you.. I'd ask them what they would like to happen x
Thanks..
OP posts:
DipSwimSwoosh · 19/12/2020 23:20

Would it be mad to just try and send things Guaranteed Next Day at the Post Office on Monday? I don't want my sisters' kids missing out. Or will it be a big waste of money if everyone else is doing the same?

santasmincepie · 19/12/2020 23:23

I'm just going to wait til we see people. God knows when though! We're self isolating so can't post them

DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 19/12/2020 23:36

If there is any way to return it and send by delivery, I would do that even if it's going to be a little late.

bodgerboris · 20/12/2020 00:01

Don't use Royal Mail, there are big delays in some parts of the country and it's hard to know whether it will get caught in it. I've had 3 parcels posted to me on the same day from different areas, only 2 have arrived.

Try someone like my Hermes or use the parcels to go price comparison and buy through them. Just worth checking where the drop of is before you commit as some can be a way away and in these lockdown times may not be open.