Several gift ideas for students while visiting or living abroad.
This post is by Holly Glover:
When your child jets off around the world for their year abroad at university, it can be a very upsetting time for everyone involved. Your child will need to get by on their own for a whole year, and as parents, you know it might be several months before you see them again.
It can be difficult to be away from your child for this length of time, but there are things you can do to make it easier.
1. Send a “just because” gift.
If you want to do something a little more personal than a video chat, why not think about sending them a gift? It doesn’t have to be for a birthday or for any real reason other than to remind them that you’re thinking of them.
Of course, there are certain things you’ll need to consider when you’re sending a parcel abroad, but as long as you stay within these parameters you can be as creative as you like.
Or you can order from local stores for more savings and faster delivery. These curated pop culture graphic tees by an indie clothing label make cute “just because” gifts for anyone. The shirts are made of ethically sourced combed cotton while the designs are printed using eco-friendly ink pigments. They’re perfect gifts for eco-conscious young people.
2. Keep it lightweight.
You don’t want to be sending anything too heavy or too bulky if you want to keep costs down as international parcel postage can be expensive.
This means that if, for example, you’re sending a parcel to Russia and want it to be something to keep your child warm in the cold winter, opt for lighter thermal fabrics rather than chunky knits to save space and reduce the size of the box. It’s much easier to send clothes to hotter countries as you can send lots of thin, light fabric.
3. Send food.
Food always goes down well. Avoid chocolate or anything which will suffer in the heat, as the conditions in transit may get warm, especially in hotter countries.
Instead opt for sweets, which tend to be a little hardier, or packaged, freeze-dried food or snacks which won’t perish in transit. Make sure you check the rules for the country on what food is allowed in.
4. Replenish their favorite brands.
Cosmetics and toiletries can also be a nice gift as they may struggle to get their favorite brands wherever they are, but make sure they’re tightly wrapped to avoid leaks.
English books may not always be easy to come by, especially in more rural locations or places outside Europe and North America, so if there’s anything they enjoy reading, their favorite books or magazines will go down a treat.
5. Get sentimental.
If they’ve been missing any of their creature comforts from home, why not send them over as a surprise? Maybe it’s a particular photo they’ve been missing or even a childhood toy. Send it over as a surprise with a reliable courier company to give them a little boost and remind them that you’re thinking about them from thousands of miles away.
About the author: Holly Glover is a mother of two who takes pride in keeping in touch with her family, no matter where they may be.
