Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Just wanted to start a thread about the ways we all get gifts back to the UK.

I still do some gifts the old fashioned way of buying them here and posting them, but the cost of doing that is getting more prohibitive, even despite the fact I buy many of my presents on sale throughout the year.

I also use Amazon.co.uk a lot because they gift wrap and their shipping is often free, but not all the items can be gift-wrapped if they come from another supplier (eg not Amazon).

However I've also just discovered that Marks and Spencers gift wrap and have some of the items that I can't get on Amazon. So I've just used their service this week and have been very impressed.

How about you? What online sites do you use for gifts and do they gift wrap?

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

M & S all the way for me. :thumbsup:

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Usually we buy stuff then post it. It does, of course, end up running us about $40.00 but my wife likes to wrap everything for them.

Might be pertinent to this thread but according to the USPS website:

Last day for Express Mail international for Xmas is 12/11/12
Last day for most* other international post for Xmas is 12/19/12

* this is the wording on their site, I'd be aiming closer to or before the 15th myself, just to be sure. One year we were right on the edge and the presents didn't arrive until January :lol:

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Johnlewis.com is good for delivery, but doesn't wrap.

Notonthehighstreet.com is good for unusual things, and does wrap.

Bestofbritishbeer.com has been getting some of my business this year. No gift wrap.

Amazon.co.uk is my stable choice though. At least you know if there is anything wrong, there won't be a problem returning it (I've never had a problem anyway)

If you are looking for crafty kids, bakerross.co.uk was excellent. I send a huge box of craft things, feathers, glue, spangles etc for less than £15.

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Here's a thread that Nicky opened yesterday...it gives info and links on customs/taxes on gifts sent to the UK.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=779749

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

I have used Amazon, M&S, Apple (for iTunes vouchers), BabyRepublic (they had elves on shelves) Interflora and Thorntons this year so far. I only have a few things to post because the cost of postage sometimes outweighs the cost of the gift.

Most gifts are for family so I don't pay for wrapping, I send an email letting them know the gift is on it's way and tell them not to open the parcel. See I am a cheap Scot after all... Although letting them know to expect something is important as one year a birthday present from Amazon did not arrive and if I hadn't told them to expect it they would have thought I had forgot and not mentioned it!

The year we went back at Christmas I had all my gifts delivered to my mother in laws and I wrapped them when we arrived.

Best way to get presents home is to have your hubby 'schedule' a December business trip ;)

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

That's what my family do sending gifts this end, trouble is if I am buying online myself (for presents for son/OH) then I don't know which deliveries are mine or presents, so consequently I've ended up the last two years opening deliveries thinking they were mine and instead they were presents for me ... :eek::unsure:

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Amazon.co.uk for most things.

Then we send over a 60 buck "Flat Rate" USPS box full of bits and pieces... small gifts... candy and stuff.

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

* I suspect this is the date when they can reasonably guarantee to get the stuff out of their system and on a plane somewhere - not a guarantee that it'll be delivered in the foreign country by Christmas!

Thanks for the ideas people are coming up with. I really ought to do something soon...

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Most likely. Off-season it usually takes 4-5 days, so we usually consider at this time of the year it'll be 8-10.

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

Gonedigging.co.uk is one of my favourites and of course Amazon..

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

We're lucky in that my brother lives about 5 miles from my parents, and goes round there every Christmas, so his present gets Amazon'd to Mum & Dad, and their presents end up at his :lol:

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

This year I have used M and S for New Zealand they had a free shipping deal for 2 days, for sending to UK Amazon.co.uk. I have in the past used Thorntons Chocolates and The Sanctuary who I see again have 3 for 2 gift sets and free delivery over 40.00 pounds.

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

As well as M&S and amazon, I've also used highstreetvouchers.com/uk this year.:)

Re: Christmas Gifts to the UK
 

What's The Sanctuary, do you have a link?

Yes those voucher websites are great. I've used voucherexpress.co.uk for quite a few years.