Buying presents for family living abroad

When the children were young we sent parcels. For the last three years, now that they are teenagers, I have done an annual Bank transfer to cover birthdays and Christmas for the three children. The fee is £9. This way each young person receives a gift which they actually want, purchased by their parents, or the cash towards an item for which they are saving up. I send cards separately.

My son and family live in the US and postage has become so expensive and unreliable. The last time I used the post office they didn’t get their Xmas gifts until February, the package was damaged and the contents stunk of mould.

Sending gifts via Amazon is also difficult in the US as many of them charge separately and often goods are out of stock. By the time you add in gift wrapping, if it’s even available, the cost mounts up.

Last year I used this service www.parcel2go.com/ and they were excellent! I gathered together all the gifts the family this side of the pond wanted to send, put them in a sturdy box and the 7 kilo parcel cost under £50 to send. I took it to the drop off point, where they were really helpful, on a Thursday, and my son received it the following Tuesday. I’ll be using them again this year.

We still send parcels, but the grandchildren are still quite young.

I’ve always transferred money into DD’s bank account in Oz in good time, when the GC were small, she then bought them gifts which were from Granny and Grandad in England. Now they are older, they either have the cash or she buys them something she knows they would like. She and SIL get themselves something also.

I have no idea what they want, what size to buy, and postage is so expensive.

We usually send money in early November then send a small parcel each so that they have a surprise to open on xmas day.

This year the postage has gone up so much it would have cost £114 for four small parcels - out of the question!

We actually sent a large (8kg) parcel by UPS which cost £67. Still extortionately expensive but my son has had such a tough year we couldn't resist sending a few home comforts.

Just hoping now that it gets through customs without any problems!