We are heading into the last few months before Christmas and thought I would start this thread to give advice and suggestions to newcomers to Canada regarding Christmas (and birthday) prezzies for loved ones back in the UK.

Last year I mailed off a shoebox filled with goodies, eg earrings, top, leather gloves, etc to my mum - Canada Post charged me $60 via airmail Surface mail takes at least 6 weeks (and longer nearer Christmas). I also mailed another couple of parcels and quite a few Christmas cards too so all in all it really added up

This year I am ordering via the internet from the UK - M&S, Sendit (free postage), and Thorntons. When ordering from overseas Markies refund your VAT at checkout which is great.

I have ordered some gifts already and it was stress-free, plus I didn't have to worry about the size or the weight. Just had to notify people to set the parcel aside and NOT open before the BIG DAY. The agony of what's inside the mystery parcel is going to send one of my friends doo-lally for sure

With the above in mind here a couple of links for mailing deadlines for international mail and mail within Canada.

http://canadaonline.about.com/library/bl/blmailhol.htm

http://canadaonline.about.com/librar...mailholcan.htm

I generally buy through Amazon UK and ship directly. Shipping stuff (other than personal things like Xmas cards made by the kids for grandpa etc) is a mugs game.

I'm starting up a new business - soap, lip balm, massage bars, that kind of thing. I'm trying to get orders to the UK out early for that simple reason....

If anyone wants any custom soaps - ie, scent, colour etc, let me know!

May refer the Honourable Lady to the following excerpt from the site rules.

9. The forums, (including the private message, blog and email systems), are not a venue for advertisements in any way. Please do not post promotional/advertising messages, urls, nor specifics that would lead people to your site/product/service. However, a line in your signature with a link to your site is allowed. (For signature guidelines please read Rule 18.) It will be the sole discretion of britishexpats.com and its moderators as to what constitutes an advertisement.

Didnt strike me particularly as an ad.... but point taken.

Sorry Iain I forgot the smilie, I wasnt 100% serious.

Wine/sherry from Sainsburystoyou works too.

Good for the uncles & aunts, not so good for the nieces & nephews

The trick to Christmas is to argue with everyone so you have no friends or relatives left to buy for.

Much easier.

I stopped buying anything for my niece when it dawned on me that this 26year old who lives at home has never sent me a card or gift of her own. It's always tacked on to her parents card.

As we are just at recce stage I wondered if my mate in Toronto was ligit when she told me the Canadians really get into the Christmas decs thing and go for it, as opposed to the B andQ blow up santas littering whole regions here. Any one shed light?

?? eh??

Home Depot Santas litter Ontario, so isn't it the same thing?

The difference seems to me that the xmas decor is put up before it gets too cold, so once it's up then you may as well switch it on, and leave it on until March.

Good tip is put put up your outdoor house lights in October - because it's wayyyy to cold after that. You don't have to switch them on though

The wife recently got caught out on this - bought a load of bits and pieces for her mothers birthday and put them in a box to send. Would have cost $50 to post $20 worth of stuff!

We posted from the US instead, still cost $30 though - so won't be doing that one again!

But they all do. Bah humbug