What do you buy for someone's who emigrating?

[ElusiveMoose]

Er, that's it, really. My best friend and his family (wife and three little boys under 3) are emigrating in a few weeks' time (to Hong Kong) . I'd really like to get them some little presents before they go. I'm trying to think of things that will either remind them of home or help them settle into their new life. I also have to bear in mind that anything I give them will have to be shipped, so it can't be anything too big! Anyone got any bright ideas?

Framed photo of you all?
Nice new address book?
A nice book about where you live?

ooh we're doing this at work, someone leaving to emigrate.
My own opinion is as little as possible - I want to give him the cash minus some new-place beers or chocolate or something.
Don't suppose that helps for friends.
Maybe buy some new music online for the adults?
Vouchers for shops in HK?

I really would hate to receive anything physical a few weeks before emigrating - something else to worry about storing / packing. DH's birthday was the Monday of the week we moved and I remember wishing people wouldn't give him presents until after we moved - and we were only going round the corner!

We recently had friends emigrate to Oz, we decorated a plate with all our silly comments on, bought them a Yorkshire goodies hamper (because we are all from Yorkshire!!) and lots of families chipped in to buy a local painting of our village plus the shipping costs.
Hope that helps.

I would think vouchers for some really nice shops/cinema in HK would work, or send a care parcel once they are there and the excitement has worn off. Writing paper and pens for the children? A book each for the plane?

Maybe some non-perishable foodstuffs they can't get over there?

When our friend 'emigrated' to London from Manchester we bought her Holland's Pies & Vimto

Thanks for the brilliant ideas. I think I might try going for some vouchers. Off to find someone who knows about shopping in HK... Thanks again!

I'm about to emigrate to NZ and I would love stuff that I can't get there plus some silly things. Boots products, marmite, PG tips, accessorize british keyrings (a mini red postbox, red bus and black cab - I'm in London).

DH wants an old union jack flag that he can frame (brit pop style).

My immediate thought was Marmite. Earl grey teabags because they are really light. For the little boys - those things where you draw with a plastic stick then pull it across so it disappears and you can draw again - would be great for the journey.

Branston pickle, HP sauce, if they are from London (sorry to be London centric here):
www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=16&Sub=68&PID=2328

or

www.harrods.c om/HarrodsStore/find/c/home,christmascollection09/pgs/89/p/000000000001867679

I hope some of my friends see this!