Sending an Aussie baby gift overseas

A lot of Aussie families are spread out these days. A sister in London, a cousin in Canada, mates who moved to Singapore for work and stayed. When one of them has a baby, it's hard not being there. You want to send something that says "we're thinking of you" and "don't forget where you came from" in the same parcel.

Here are a few ideas, and some practical tips on getting it there.

Something unmistakably Australian

The best overseas gifts are ones they can't easily get where they are. Things that feel like home.

• Aussie children's books. Possum Magic, Where Is the Green Sheep?, Wombat Stew. They'll be read to the baby a thousand times, and they'll be passing on a bit of their own childhood.
• Native animal toys. A soft koala or kangaroo is a classic for a reason.
• Something personalised with an Aussie theme. This is where we come in. Our Australiana blanket has hand-painted koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and native flowers, with the baby's name through the pattern and in big letters on the back. Our Vibrant Ocean design is all Great Barrier Reef creatures.

Practical bits

Timing. International post takes longer than you think, and customs can add more. Our blankets are made to order, which takes 3 to 4 weeks, and international delivery adds to that. If it's for a birth, consider sending it a bit after the baby arrives. Honestly, most new parents are swamped with gifts in the first week and grateful for something that turns up at week six.

Customs and duties. Some countries charge import duties or GST on gifts above a certain value, and the person receiving it may have to pay. It's worth a quick check for the country you're sending to.

Weight. Heavy gifts get expensive to post. A blanket is light and squishy, which helps.

Add a note. A handwritten card makes all the difference when you can't hand it over in person. If you're ordering from us and want a note included, leave it in the order notes and we'll pop it in.

Our international shipping

Most of our blankets go to homes around Australia, but we post overseas too, including the UK, New Zealand, the US, Canada, Singapore and much of Europe. You'll see the international shipping cost at checkout. If you're not sure whether we can get to a particular country, just ask us.

Have a look through our Australian baby gifts collection for the most Aussie options.