Gifts for extended family overseas
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Anonymous
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The plan was to go overseas for two weeks during winter break with DH and two adolescent children. Most of my extended family have not met my children.
I’m overwhelmed about the Christmas shopping. My mom made a list of 27 “close” relatives that I should bring a gift for. I have a demanding job, one of my children is behaviorally challenging and getting completely overwhelmed about the thought of shopping, and the long trip with my children. Seriously thinking about forgetting about the whole trip. |
Anonymous
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Make lists and group people in age or gender groups. Then hit up Marshall's.
Women - purses (smaller cuter ones for younger ladies) Men - shirt or tie Kids - small Lego sets or games (you can get some for pretty cheap that don't take a lot of room) If all else fails, a box of chocolates for each family unit. |
Anonymous
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Tell your mom to take those gifts with her when she visits. It’s bananas to be expected to shop for 27 people.
I have been traveling back to India every year to visit family since 1996, except during the pandemic. In the early years people would ask me to bring specific, small items that were not available locally. Now I don’t bother as everything is available there and then some. Just take token presents, especially if there are kids. |
Anonymous
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Boxes of chocolate for all!
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Anonymous
My hairdresser doesn't visit her family in her home country for this exact reason. I don't think there's any way around it OP. Sorry. |
Anonymous
There is. Grow a pair and say no. If the family won’t see you without gifts then so be it. |
Anonymous
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You can do this OP. Keep it simple
Buy personalized mm’s, print Made in USA on them, choose red blue and white colors Add a I heart NY coaster or magnet Add jelly belly and tootsie rolls or Hershey kiss Package them up in a goodie bag thingy when you get there |
Anonymous
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What country, OP? Ages and genders? It’s easier to help if we understand the cultural expectations you’re facing.
We have family and friends all over, and I’m relieved that the expectations are so different than they were even a decade ago. I bring very different things to family in the Philippines vs. Singapore vs. Hong Kong. Gifts for people in less developed countries is really tough because there’s an expectation that you’ll bring everything. Gifts to people in a place like Singapore or Korea can be hard, too, because I think they have way better stuff than we do. |
Anonymous
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Tell us the country and we can help brainstorm ideas. Ideally you want something easy to pack and package once you arrive.
We live overseas and bring back gifts for 30+ people regularly. I’ve found Amazon a great source for packaging and flat pack bows. In some countries, presentation is as important as the gift. A cute sticker can make a gift a hit. |
Anonymous
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Do they celebrate Christmas?
A small ornament for each |
Anonymous
| Starbucks mugs with starbucks hot chocolate pack inside. |
Anonymous
| Are you going to India? |
Anonymous
Going to West Africa - relatives is a wide range of socioeconomic status - some are living paycheck to paycheck while others are wealthy and travel a lot. |
Anonymous
| I have found some "fancy" gifts at Nordstrom Rack or Marshalls - essentially look for anything Calvin Klein - can be business socks in a nice package, or a small wallet/purse for women. For kids agree with lego sets. American chocolates for all - my relatives got a kick out of bite size snickers bars, they have only big ones there, so it was a novelty to them. For teenagers - USA/DC tshirts in size M in black, baseball caps. if you give us more info on people we can help you! |
Anonymous
| Hmmm, guess that explains why people travel with more suitcases than I had when I permanently moved to another continent. |