Living overseas has its perks: better weather, better food, and the undeniable smugness of having escaped. But when it comes to buying gifts for your child relatives back in the UK, expat gifting can suddenly feel…complicated.
Time zones, shipping costs, and the vague fear of accidentally buying something wildly inappropriate for a five-year-old you last saw as a baby—it’s a lot. The good news? With a bit of strategy (and the right gift), you can still absolutely smash birthdays and Christmas from afar.
Here’s how expats can win at gifting for kids in the UK—without the stress.
The Classic Expat Gifting Problems (You’re Not Alone)
Let’s start with the obvious hurdles:
- You don’t actually know what the child is into anymore
Is it dinosaurs? Space? Unicorns? Some obscure YouTuber with slime? - International shipping is a nightmare
Expensive, slow, and always a gamble. Will it arrive on time—or in April? - You want something better than cash
Money is useful, sure, but it doesn’t exactly scream “cool aunt/uncle energy.”
Sound familiar? Thought so.
Why UK-Based Gifts Make Life Easier
One of the biggest gifting wins for expats is buying from the UK for the UK.
Why?
- No customs fees
- Faster delivery
- Less mental load for you
Ordering directly from a UK retailer means your gift arrives when it should, neatly wrapped, and ready to impress—while you’re still enjoying your life abroad. This is where Wicked Uncle comes in…
When you’re not physically around, gifts do a bit of extra emotional heavy lifting. This is when you can rely on Wicked Uncle for all the answers.
The best gifts tend to share a few key traits:
1. Age-Appropriate (But Not Boring)
Kids grow fast. A toy that’s too young feels awkward; one that’s too old gets ignored. Gifts that are clearly matched to age show you’ve thought about it, even if you’re thousands of miles away.
2. Something They’ll Actually Use
Parents secretly judge gifts. Loud, messy, enormous ones get side-eyed. Thoughtful, engaging gifts that kids love and parents approve of? That’s the sweet spot.
3. Not Another Random Plastic Thing
Many parents (especially in the UK) are trying to cut down on clutter. Educational toys, games, books, and creative kits tend to go down much better than novelty tat.
Gifting for Different Occasions as an Expat
Birthdays:
Go for something personal and fun—games, activity kits, or books that match their age now, not last year.
Christmas:
Board games, family games, and creative sets are big wins. They get used over the holidays and remembered long after.
New Babies:
You can’t go wrong with beautiful, well-chosen baby gifts—especially ones parents wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves.
“Just Because” Gifts:
These are underrated. A surprise package from overseas? Instant favourite status.
Final Thought on Expat Gifting: Distance Doesn’t Have to Mean Disconnected
Living abroad doesn’t mean missing out on the important moments. With the right gift, you’re still very much part of your nieces’ and nephews’ lives—cheering them on, making them laugh, and reminding them you care.
And if your gift also makes you the most talked-about relative at family gatherings back home, we’ve done our job 🎁✈️
Head to our website to see the full range of wonderful gifts we offer!
