Give them a good taste of Kiwi

The stuff Kiwi travellers dream of. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Despite full independence from "the mother country", many New Zealanders still have strong ties to Britain - their families.

There are thousands of ex-pat Kiwis living in Britain, as well as thousands more on their OEs.

Each year hundreds of New Zealand families face the challenge of finding Christmas gifts to send them.

There are two general rules - keep the weight down because of postal charges and don't buy anything which they could buy themselves.

Susan Pennock, who immigrated to New Zealand in 1968, embarks on the annual ritual in October every year.

She has been buying Kiwi themed gifts for her family since 1975, when the rest of her family returned to Britain.

Ms Pennock says it's hard to avoid something that looks tacky - but we should remember while paua can be tacky to us, it's different and interesting overseas.

"But there's only so much paua and greenstone jewellery you can send," she said.

"It gets to about the middle of October when I can feel the panic setting in and I'm starting to look seriously.

"It can be very depressing because it's hard to find anything new and different that is realistic to post.

"The other day I found a beautiful paperweight with New Zealand scenes in it, but the cost of posting it would have been almost as much as the paperweight itself.

However, she believes the extra effort is worth it, because they are getting something "a little bit special".

"I like to think that when they use something I bought in New Zealand, especially if it is particularly Kiwi, they think of me on the other side of the world."

Families with children on their OE face a different dilemma - finding something they need that won't take up too much room in their backpack.

Often their presents come in the form of All Black gear to proudly wear around London and other forms of branding that make them instantly recognisable as a Kiwi.

When making a start on the Christmas shopping list, I start with the easiest person, while frantically scanning the shelves for inspiration for the hardest.

Very young children don't tend to care what they get so long as it's wrapped up, because the wrapping paper is the most interesting part.

One of my favourite gifts from overseas when I was young was a bag of sweets - you didn't have a clue whether it would be good or bad until you got it in your mouth.

Kids love novelty souvenir items, the word tacky has no meaning to them, so even if you and their parents think something is kitsch, chances are a child will love it.

The great thing about buying for kids is that cheap and small are fine - it'll probably be lost or destroyed in a matter of days anyway.

Kiwi-themed picture books are a good choice for pre-schoolers. Not only will they help develop their reading skills, but they will expose them to a different culture and way of life.

Most major booksellers stock a wide range of New Zealand children's books like the Legends of Maui, by Jason Te Puia and Pania of the Reef by Peter Bossage.

For something not so overtly Kiwi, Grandpa's Slippers has been a favourite with generations of Kiwi kids.

For babies, consider lamb skin booties - found in most gift shops around the country.

Despite weight and customs restrictions, it shouldn't be too hard to find presents for women.

Unimaginative male shoppers can't go wrong with toiletries - especially those made with ingredients like pohutukawa and manuka honey.

What's more, they can often be bought online and posted anywhere in the world, eliminating the embarrassment of shopping for "women's things", and the fiddly task of wrapping.

Remember, northerners often experience a white Christmas so buying a possum fur hot water bottle cover in November isn't such an absurd idea.

Buying for men is a challenge for even the most astute shopper, without the added limitation of overseas postage.

You might look at the range of golf club head covers shaped like native birds, Kahu Ties in a range of Kiwi designs featuring paua and tui, and pens made from native woods.

Cambo shirts, designed and worn by Michael Campbell, are especially popular at the moment and will be well recognised by a keen golf follower.

Once you start looking there are plenty of things available that represent New Zealand but don't reek of tackiness.

It just takes a bit of time and effort.

Top 10 presents to send to people overseas

1. New Zealand children's toys, including the wooden Buzzy Bee pull-along toy available on-line and at selected retailers.

2. New Zealand music is rarely heard overseas - give the family something to boogie to - but avoid cheap souvenir CDs.

3. Enlighten their taste buds - send them a pack of popular New Zealand foodstuffs, like Marmite, Milo, Watties Tomato Sauce and kiwifruit jam.

4. Most families harbour a closet stamp collector - mail a pack of New Zealand collector's stamps, available from New Zealand Post.

5. Vineyards and specialist bottlestores usually have an overseas postage service - a few bottles of New Zealand wine will hit the spot at the dinner table.

6. People who just want to get the shopping over and done with can shop on-line, buying from a UK site and eliminating the cost of overseas postage.

7. Promoting understanding of our culture is good - send a Maori language book like Instant Maori by Nick Theobald and Paora Walker.

8. Rub the outcome of the Lions' tour in their faces and send All Black Supporters' gear to the whole family, including the baby - perhaps you can show them the way at a young age!

9. Best present of all - a trip out here to see our beautiful country for themselves - for around $2000. If the budget doesn't stretch that far extend the invitation and you might save yourself the hassle of posting overseas next year.

10. For those who really can't be bothered thinking of actual presents, send money. Just remember the exchange rate could make your generous gift look measly.

Overseas postal deadlines

* Australia & South Pacific

Economy - Friday, November 18

Air mail - Monday, December 12

Express - Monday, December 19

* Rest of the world

Economy - Friday, November 11

Air mail - Monday, December 5

Express - Wed, December 14

Source: NZ Post

- NZPA