Ozziez

Hi Huddoshols. No, that was just a joke about the neckties - I'm going to give the men some high quality Scotch - I think they'll appreciate that more - LOL!

I'm either going to buy the Scotch in Australia and pack it carefully, or I'll buy it in Germany as logos999 suggested to me on another thread. We can also take everyone out for dinner, as you suggest.

Caroline-edinburgh, thanks so much for the tip about the clingfilm - what a good idea. I will wrap the scotch bottles in it and have also added it to my packing list.

This is what my gift list looks like now:

1. All adults - Australian wine that I am arranging to ship from Australia straight to Salisbury so I don't need to carry it around Europe with me for 4 weeks before we get to England.
2. All men - Scotch
3. Everyone - chocolate macadamias, macadamia shortbread, Tim Tams, and Australian lollies
4. All the ladies - silk scarves with aboriginal art prints on them. I've bought these now.
5. A digital photo frame for each of the three grandparents
6. For the 2 girls, some Australian-crafted koala earrings and necklaces, and a koala each like the one YvonneT told me about.

I might also pick up a few consumables for everyone while we're in Europe. We'll also be visiting a few Christmas markets in Europe, so I might see something there that they'll like too.

How does this sound?

LoveItaly

Hello Ozziez, your presents sound wonderful! And I am so happy you were able to buy the scarves. I know the ladies will enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed mine.

Now for just a warning. I met with some friends from Toronto a few weeks ago. They had brought me a lovely bottle of Canadian maple syrup. It had been wrapped carefully in clothing. When they arrived in San Francisco and unpacked they discovered the maple syrup was no longer wrapped. There was a note from security her luggage had been "inspected". It is a miracle the bottle of maple syrup hadn't broken as can you imagine the mess and the ruined clothes?

Wishing you a wonderful trip!

Ozziez

Hello LoveItaly

Great that you think my pressies sound good - I really like to give people things they will like and use so I am grateful to all those who gave me advice along the way.

Thanks for the warning about the customs inspections. Perhaps I should buy the Scotch in Berlin after all - imagine all my winter clothes soaked in Scotch if the bottles break!

Yes, I think the scarves are beautiful and I am sure my friends and family will think so too. Thank you very much for suggesting them.

Thank you also for the good wishes for our trip. We are getting very excited!

caroline_edinburgh

Sounds good, except I seem to have missed the idea of Scotch being introduced. Er - why are you bringing Scotch (or whisky as we know it) back to its country of origin ? What about some Bundaberg instead ?

Ozziez

Ah Caroline, it's just because I know this is what the men would really like. None of them drink rum, all of them drink Scotch, and I believe the tax on Scotch in England makes it quite pricey, so it'll be an appreciated present.

caroline_edinburgh

Oh well, fair enough, if you know they like it. But do you know which types they like ? e.g. Islay or anything but Islay ?

Ozziez

Still waiting to find out - I've asked their other-halves and when I get a reply I'll just buy exactly what they like. I assume I'll be able to buy most types of Scotch both here and in Germany?

caroline_edinburgh

Oh, good idea. Hm, not sure. Where in Germany are you going ? If you're going to Berlin I'd guess the famous department store KaDeWe might be a possible source.

logos999

Why don't you start by deciding what you need and look for the best place to buy in Berlin after that.
Everything is available, just not everywhere.

Well more choice than at any airport duty free anyway

Ozziez

Yes Caroline, Berlin will be our last stop before we go to England.

As you suggest Logos999, I'll wait until I find out what Scotch I need to get and take it from there.

In my request to the "other-halves" I have asked them if they can give me more than one type of Scotch that their men like, so hopefully they'll do this - should mke the shopping a bit easier then!

caroline_edinburgh

I hope you have a lovely trip. You are a very thoughtful person.

Ozziez

Thanks so much Caroline for the good wishes and also for all the time you have given up to help me on this thread. I really do appreciate it.

Mucky

From our 2 trips downunder we brought back the following:

Didgereedoos (sp?) x2

Boomerangs x10

Koala cuddly toys x5

Duck billed platypus cuddly toy x2

T shirts loads

Crystal models of SHB, SOH and the Tower.

Large panoramic photograph poster of Sydney harbour

Cuddly snake from Taronga

Cuddly dolphins from Tangalooma

Australian rugby caps x 5

Australian Rugby shirt

Australian Cricket hat

BBQ pinny in Australian rugby colours

bottles of VB bitter

Packs of Koalas that clip
everywhere.

Cant think of any more



Muck