Top Ten Gift Ideas for Someone in Another Country

People who live out of your country can be hard to buy for but very fun as well! I like to think of things I'd like if that person were buying for me. Getting a gift from another country can make the holiday season exciting and unique. Imagine getting to experience new things or even things you might have in your own country, with a different twist!

1. Candy bars and other food items. This might sound simple but I remember the first candy bar I got from a friend in South Africa. It was really fun to look at how the packaging was different and sometimes, even the name! A Snickers bar from the United States will look totally different from one in another country. The taste is the same but the look is unique. You will want to check with your post office to make sure it is okay to send food items but I've never had a problem receiving or sending food to my friends. Make sure it's wrapped nicely and won't get crushed or damaged. I also added these along with other items they were to receive. This is like an extra treat!

2. Books or movies. If your friend likes either books or movies, these are a great holiday gift idea since both will look different from what they might already be able to get. I was also able to get movies and books that they could not get in South Africa at a store. Always make sure the movies are compatible with your friend's DVD or VHS player. I used to send VHS tapes in my format since my friend had a universal player but not all people own those so always check. With DVD's outselling VHS tapes, make sure the format is compatible with your friend's country, which you can buy online.

3. Local trinkets. I live in a resort beach area so it was always easy to send my friend things I'd find locally such as dolphin earrings, seashell art, etc. These might sound like silly gift ideas but I always enjoyed getting her local Afrikaan art that she'd send as well. The tribal necklace she sent me goes perfectly with my African décor I have in my bedroom. On the same note, she loved the seashore type gifts I'd send.

4. Newspapers and magazines. Another gift idea that might sound silly but it's quite fun! I always would put a local newspaper or magazine along with my gifts and she'd do the same. It was fun to read normal things like want ads and sales from her country and she enjoyed the same.

5. Postcards. These were fun to share as well. Your local store will have tons of inexpensive post cards that your friend will enjoy seeing, especially if he or she has never been to your country or to your part of the world.

6. Local books. Books on your area are a special gift idea since those books are usually very interesting and your friend can ask you about certain places. Some of the books I'm talking about are Weird Florida (or whatever state you're in), etc.

7. T-shirts. Usually this might seem like a silly idea to get someone from simply another state. But to someone in another country it's a great gift idea since it would be unique in his or her area. Not everyone in South African will have a Florida shirt just like not many people in my town are going to have a shirt from South Africa.

8. Soda cans. Something that simple can be very unique. My husband collects steins and a few special cans and having a can from another country was a really great gift idea. Just like with the candy, these cans are unique to each individual's country. Again, check with your local post office and make sure you can send it safely and legally.

9. Pictures. Any pictures you have taken of yourself in your area will be fun. You can take pictures anywhere and your friend will enjoy not only seeing you, but seeing you in your little part of the world as well.

10. Online gifts. EBay, Amazon, etc now make it easy to send things to other countries, especially with their gift cards. Now your friend can pick out whatever they'd like and you won't have to pay for extra shipping. This isn't as personal as the others but sometimes it's a great idea if you're stumped for something to get them.

Whatever you decide to get your friend will surely make them happy but these are some very simple gift ideas that you might not have thought of. Most are very easily attainable and most importantly, they're fun to buy!