Deadlines are almost upon us again for mailing Christmas cards and packages to the UK

http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/pers....jsf?LOCALE=en

Just a word of caution....posting packages to the UK from Canada can cost a fortune, After a brutal case of "sticker shock" at the post office a couple of year back I started shopping at amazon uk and have my pressies shipped direct to recipient. Yes I know it's not quite the same but I'd rather spend the money on the gift than pay Canada Post some exorbitant postal charge to send something that may or may not arrive in time.

Its a good strategy I get a lot of presents for the UK from M&S and they wrap it and ship it. And its better than any of true crap you get over here anyway.

I got my mum's gifts last year from M&S. Included was a 50 quid gift card that she accidently threw in the bin along with the wrapping paper and box. Luckily she found it again.

This year I saw some nice dressy tops and jewellery in a local store. I just mailed it today - $36 for a wee 11" x 8" x 3" box. Not much of a surprise when you have to write the contents and price (lowering the value so she won't have to pay duty) on the customs declaration which is stuck to the front of the box.

So does Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Debenhams

That's the bit that really annoys me when it's a present!!

We've got a few bits to send by post to the UK which I fear is still going to cost loads. We have also ordered numerous Michael Buble Christmas albums off Amazon so at least everyone has something "Canadian" from us

The price of Canada Post really annoys me. I am fed up of seeing lots of lovely things I would like to buy as presents to send back knowing that it will cost me 3 times more to send it

For those who don't know - If you are sending packages or mail overseas, buy and stick on the stamps at the post office and send it right away, you won't pay GST/HST on the postage. Buy them and take them home to do and you pay GST/HST on the postage.

It's dear from the UK end too. I have just posted 4 x 2 Kg boxes with Chrissie presents for my daughter and the family and it cost £90 and you know how little it takes to reach the 2 Kg ... another tube of Smarties added and you soar up to a new price bracket as it will no longer go as a "small package " .

Just posted 4 air mail parcels to the UK tonight, all under 0.8kg, each one cost $33.45

I cannot believe I just paid $140 to send, what amounted to a few little bits and pieces, to family in the UK as it's our first Christmas in Canada. One parcel only contained a calendar that cost 9 bucks in Costco.Needless to say Hubby was not impressed.

Have now spent the evening writing damned Christmas cards to send back. I was so annoyed I opened and ate most of a Terry's Chocolate Orange I had bought for my daughter's teacher

I guess we've all lived and learned. One Christmas past I parceled up a shoebox for my now hubby containing a bottle of his favorite cologne, a Cross pen and a CD only to be informed at the post office that it would cost $135.00 to send air mail and being 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas "likely wouldn't get there in time". Let's just say I took my toys and went home, fired up Amazon UK and got him a 16G Sony Walkman with video for about 65 quid (somewhat less than Canada Post's highway robbery), delivered free in 2 days. The original gift kept until I arrived in person later on. Even posting Christmas cards has become very expensive there if you have many to send overseas. My Dad doesn't bother anymore, he just calls UK friends and family on his Christmas list via his Skype Out account and enjoys actually speaking to people instead. The Royal Mail may not be perfect but postal service (or lack thereof) over there is a disgrace and they wonder why revenues are dropping.