Last updated: 29 July 2023
If you’re looking to organise Christmas gifts for overseas friends and family then you may find yourself at a crossroads pondering what to get them, a yearly question which tends not to get any easier with time.
Whilst I am generally a fan of useful travel gifts, few things are better received than a hamper with the tastes of home, something related to one’s homeland, or items that your average expat just can’t buy in their adopted home.
Below are some suggestions for Christmas and holiday gifts for overseas friends and family living an expat lifestyle who might be feeling just a little bit homesick this Christmas.
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1. Gift Ideas for Australians
Suggested by: Roaming Required
In Australia, Christmas is hot. The day is spent outside around the BBQ, at the beach or inside taking refuge under the air-conditioner blasting arctic winds. It’s very common to see an influx of expat Aussies heading home for some sunshine, and some hugs from their nearest and dearest.
If you can’t ship golden sand, and fresh salty air then a care package of Aussie treats is always welcome., and make for ideal gifts for overseas friends and family. Fill the package to the brim with staples like
For those in the UK, you can buy Vegemite from Tesco which can be delivered, those on the ground might like to hunt in discount retailers where our scouts have recently spotted Australian-made Dairy Milk chocolate in B&M! Score!
Are you ready for more ideas for gifts for overseas friends and family? Read on below
2. Gift Ideas for New Zealanders
Suggested by: Emma, Adventures of a London Kiwi
As a New Zealander living in the UK for 14+ years, the one thing I’d make and give to my fellow Kiwis is Lolly Cake. It’s a no-bake confection of malt biscuits, butter, condensed milk and mallow lollies that immediately evokes Kiwi childhood.
Lolly Cake, whilst also sticking up for the NZ custom of calling sweets ‘lollies’ as is correct (my English husband and I argue about this a lot) is an institution; it’s on every single party table, found in all good local bakeries and even available in New Zealand supermarkets.
For it to be truly authentic, you need to use Griffins Malt Biscuits and Pascal Eskimo Lollies – but in the UK, Malted Milk biscuits and firm Marshmallows/Shrimps can be substituted in times of dire need.
Despite the difference in opinion over the Lolly/Sweets name, all of the visitors I have ever had have enjoyed this recipe. In fact, I was in a rather posh restaurant once, and when a nearby American diner realised I was a Kiwi, asked me to email them this recipe ‘that they had tried in New Zealand a long time ago and loved’. The next day I emailed her my lolly cake recipe. Chur.
3. Gift Ideas for Italians
Suggested by: Michele, The Intrepid Guide
When it comes to celebrating Christmas and the holidays, Italians take the ‘bread’ (not cake)!
I am, of course, referring to the most iconic festival food item of all, Panettone, (literally “Big bread”). Originating from Milan, panettone is a sweet, dome-shaped bread loaf dotted with lots of raisins and candied citrus peels. Panettone is best served warm and enjoyed either with a hot beverage or a sweet wine like Moscato d’Asti.
This Panettone in a lovely festive tin is the perfect gift.
While traditional recipes vary from region to region, for the obligatory Christmas lunch, Italians love eating tortellini in brodo (tortellini soup) as their first dish. So, send your loved one a packet of Barilla Tortellini.
During the whole festive season, and especially for Veglione di Capodanno (New Year’s Eve Party) Italians love playing board games like Tombola (aka Bingo). So, if you’ve loved one can’t come home for the holidays, don’t just send them any old Bingo game, send a REAL Tombola, which you get from Amazon here.
Not to be forgotten is the all-important eating of lenticchie a mezzanotte (lentils at midnight) on New Years’ Eve. Lentils are symbolic of money, so consuming them is a wish of good fortune. So, the next time you go grocery shopping, make sure you pop a packet of lentils in your basket to add to your care package.
4. Gift Ideas for Scots
Suggested by: Larch, The Silver Nomad
Scots are spread all over the world, but there are certain things that bring a wee bit of Scotland home to them.
Bring a smile to your favourite Scots’ face by giving them a hamper of Scottish goodies. Try Tunnocks Teacakes or Caramel Wafers, Shortbread, Haggis (you can get vegetarian haggis too), Irn Bru, Whisky, Scottish Tablet, maybe some porridge with a spurtle (a wooden porridge stirrer).
Most Scottish kids are brought up with the cartoons in the Sunday Papers. There is an annual of Oor Wullie and The Broons cartoons to give them a giggle. Continue the foodie theme with The Scottish Vegan Cookbook. For a weightier read, the Booker Prize-winning book Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart gives a gritty view of Glasgow.
Have a look at Scott Innes for beautiful kitchen items with contemporary tartan, stags, Scottie dogs or thistles or Couthie for gifts with some great Scottish sayings. If your Scottish friend is going to be visiting Scotland in the next year, maybe a National Trust or Historic Scotland membership. An English Heritage membership will also give them discounted or free access in Scotland as well as historic attractions in England, Wales and the British Isles.
5. Gift Ideas for Norwegians
Suggested by: Lisa, Fjords & Beaches
In Norway, there are certain sweets and items that we just can’t do without, and if you are looking to bring some Norwegian Christmas traditions into your home this year, or you are not able to spend Christmas in Norway like you planned, these are things you cannot miss.
If I were to send a care package to a Norwegian abroad, or just send some Norwegian Christmas treats to a friend (which I have), I would make sure to include Freia Melkesjokolade, which is basically just Norwegian chocolate. But, as Norwegian chocolate is the best in the world (ask anyone who has tried it), it’s the first thing we ask for when getting stuff shipped abroad.
Secondly, to get that Scandinavian Christmas feeling (you know, we are all about the hygge), I would send a chunky knitted sweater in a Norwegian pattern, such as this one.
Finally, I would send a pig made out of marzipan. Yes, you read that right. Marzipan pigs are huge in Norway, and a staple around Christmas times. Don’t ask me why, just trust me on this.
6. Gift Ideas for French
Suggested by: Hannah, Nouvelle Aquitaine Travel
France is home to some of the finest wines, cheeses, liquors and treats. Each region has its own specialities and a huge sense of pride in those items. Sweet treats that French people love at Christmas include candied chestnuts from the south of France, macarons in all their delicate-coloured finery, and delicious nougat from Montelimar. One French product that can be found easily outside of France, perfect for gifting to a stranded Frenchie missing their homeland, is cognac.
Cognac is a type of brandy, made from grapes grown in and around the city of Cognac in south-west France. Due to IGP restrictions based on geographical origins, only certain areas of the Charente, Charente Maritime, Deux-Sevres and Dordogne can produce cognac. Cognac is a digestif – taken after a meal to aid digestion and warm the blood. Famous brands include Courvoisier, Martell, Hennessy, Rémy Martin and Baron Otard. Why not gift a cognac advent calendar or make your own using miniatures! For a really special gift for cognac-lovers, find one labelled ‘XO’, which indicates it is ‘extra old’ and has been aged for at least 6 years.
7. Gift Ideas for Sardinians
Suggested by: Roaming Required
Outside of Sardinia, little is known of Sardinian wine, often overlooked by it’s bigger cousins on the mainland. For homesick Sardinians, wine makes for great gifts for overseas friends and family which provide a taste of home.
Cannonau is the local name for Grenache, and is the most popular red varietal in Sardinia with the grape growing all over the island. The multi-award winning Siddùra Erema Cannonau di Sardegna DOC is a great option, a powerful wine with aromas of fresh and spiced berries, perfect with Agnello coi carciofi, lamb with artichokes is a Sardinian holiday classic.
For white wine drinkers it’s Vermentino, which was traditionally grown on the northern tip of the island in the Gallura province, although nowadays it can be found throughout the whole island.
Siddùra Spèra a fresh, and moderately alcoholic (13.5% ABV) white wine. Best served chilled, it makes the perfect aperitif. Match it with hard cheeses, like Pecorino Sardo which is produced exclusively on the island of Sardinia. Get it delivered by your local cheesemonger or Vallebona in Wimbledon who stock over 50 types of cheese from 15 regions. They also deliver internationally.
Both of these wines are from the award winning Siddùra winery which is one of the newest and trendiest wineries in Sardinia. Sending wine as a gift is possible when they’re packed by professionals like Independent Wine. An added bonus is the convenient and free gift wrapping service along with free delivery within most of the mainland UK. As an added bonus, use the code FreeStopper at the checkout to get a glam John Lewis bottle stopper! An ideal addition to this list of gifts for overseas friends and family.
Has this list of gifts for overseas friends and family helped with building your shopping list?
If so, don’t forget to share with it others who might benefit from the suggestions
8. Gift Ideas for Romanians
Suggested by: Joanna, Andalucia in My Pocket
There is nothing better than enjoying the food from home, when you are an expat living in a different country.
The usual Romanian Christmas dinner includes a lot of different dishes, some of which require cooking three or four days before serving. One of the traditional desserts that you will find on any Romanian holiday dinner table is the cozonac. Without the cozonac on the table, the festive dinner wouldn’t be festive at all.
Cozonac is a type of sweet bread, with a filling of cocoa, walnuts, raising or Turkish delight. In my opinion, the more extras in the filling, the better the cozonac is.
Usually, the older women in the family have the hard task to make the cozonac, which takes a long time because the dough needs to be worked for at least half an hour to one hour. The more the dough is worked, the fluffier the cozonac will be. Luckily, for families who don’t have the time or knowledge on how to make this delicious dessert, there are plenty of pastry shops that will bake and sell fresh cozonac before the holidays.
In the supermarkets, one particular brand stands out, which developed many different recipes of cozonac over the years. The products from Boromir have managed to cross the country’s borders and are now found in the Romanian or Polish shops around Europe, including in the United Kingdom.
If you want to make a Romanian happy for the holidays, buy them a cozonac as a gift. You can buy it easily online.
9. Gift Ideas for Dutch
Suggested by: Dymphe, Dymabroad
For someone from the Netherlands who can’t get home these holidays, kruidnoten are a great gift to give!
Kruidnoten are a small type of biscuit that have a taste somewhat similar to mixed spice. They are eaten during the Dutch feast of Sinterklaas, which is kind of like the Dutch version of Santa Clause. -Actually, the story of Santa is partially derived from Sinterklaas!
During the festivities of Sinterklaas in December, kruidnoten are given to children and everyone eats them. In the Netherlands you can buy them in every supermarket, but to give them as a gift for Christmas, you can also order them online for international delivery.
10. Gift Ideas for English
Suggested by: Shobha, Just Go Places Blog
Alongside mulled wine, sherry, eggnog and Candy Cane Christmas Gin, an authentic English Christmas, needs a Turkey, and of course a pudding which rounds out the essentials for a successful holiday meal.
Christmas puddings are made of dried fruit and have their origin in medieval times so this really is a long standing Christmas tradition. There was a period during the English Civil War when Christmas puddings were banned as too decadent a cake. While you can certainly make your own, after all the practice of making a Christmas pudding five weeks before Christmas dates back to Victorian times. In 2020, if you can’t drop a pudding over, or share it together, why not buy a matured Christmas pudding and send it. Just don’t forget the brandy and the brandy butter!
11. Gift Ideas for Spaniards
Suggested by: Leyla, Women on the Road
Having been brought up in Spain, one of the things I still miss the most about living abroad is… ham! Not just any ham, of course, but the delectable jamón, which can range from everyday jamón serrano to the mouth-melting jamón ibérico de bellota, from pigs raised among the oak trees and fed only with acorns.
The good news is that jamón travels relatively well and can often be found abroad in speciality shops but if that fails, fabulous ham is now available online.
Cave paintings show pigs existed in Europe as long as 700,000 years ago and by the first century AD, Pliny the Elder had already singled out Iberian ham for its superiority.
Little compares to the joy of sitting down to a plateful of Spanish ham, its cured, salty taste countered by a mellow richness as it melts in your mouth. It’s difficult to go too long without it!
12. Gift Ideas for Americans
Suggested by: Maria, Map Trekking
Though many see the holidays as a time to spend with family, not everyone gets that privilege and this year has made it even more difficult. If you are looking for holiday gifts to cheer up an American not able to get back to the US, then special treats like pumpkin pie, eggnog, or green bean casserole could do the trick!
Over the winter American holidays, these foods can appear at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, making it a great gift or act of kindness for an American missing home. Finding correct ingredients could be difficult so do not feel bad if it is not completely authentic, they will understand! Compile a care package for your American friend with classics like the filling for a pumpkin pie, and pumpkin pie spice both of these make great gifts, or send the ingredients for a classic green bean casserole as it’s easy to make.
13. Gift Ideas for Mexicans
Suggested by: Lara, The Best Travel Gifts
If you are looking for the best gifts for a Mexican stuck abroad and missing home, comfort food is always the solution!
And luckily for the Mexicans abroad, Mexican food is relatively easy to find abroad and online. The best things to check out include tortilla makers, tamale kits, real Mexican dried chili peppers, or Mexican hot sauce. The latter two are especially great for homesick Mexicans. They can even make the dullest meals taste a bit more Mexican.
Alternatively, you could go for an authentic Mexican hot chocolate tablet, so they can make a hot chocolate that tastes like home. Because there is nothing more comforting than a hot beverage of chocolate that tastes, smells, and feels like home! Lastly, if you are looking for more Mexican gifts to cheer them up, the 100% Funny Mexican Jokes book will sure do the job. It is filled with sarcastic jokes about Mexico and Mexicans to bring back a smile with Christmas.
14. Gift Ideas for Canadians
Suggested by: Sarah, In Search of Sarah
Oh, Canada! A thoughtful care package of Canadian treats and gifts will surely bring joy to homesick Canadians this year. These quintessential Canadian gifts are perfect to give at this time of year to remind Canadians of home and growing up, and to remind them that friends and family are thinking of them, even from halfway around the world.
Send a piece of the Great White North this Christmas with a thoughtful care package including food items such as:
- Ketchup chips
- Tim Hortons coffee
- Smoked salmon
- Ice wine
- Ice cider
- Iceberg Vodka (made from 10,000 year old Canadian glaciers!)
Along with these items, the tried-and-true gift would also include maple syrup and maple shortbread cookies.
You can also include recipes for national obsessions: butter tarts and Nanaimo bars (these require no baking!) and are classic Canadian Christmas desserts.
If you’re looking for non-food items, this cute curling rock mug will remind Canadians of their time at home in the curling rink. Or opt for a soft Hudson’s Bay wool blanket for them to cozy up with their Canadian-scented candle while sipping from their glass with hockey-themed whiskey stones.
Final Thoughts
We really hope that this post has helped with finding some great Christmas and holiday gifts for overseas friends and family. There’s really nothing better than receiving a gift from your loved ones back home to make you feel connected with your homeland, family, and friends.
Is there anything that is missing from this list of gifts for overseas friends and family?
Let us know in the comments below!
