Australian Gift Ideas for Overseas Friends

clowfine on 06/12/2014 - 23:11

So I'll be going to Japan for Christmas and meeting a few close Japanese friends who I haven't seen in a long time.

I'd like to bring some unique gifts with me - stuff you can only find in Australia - but I don't know what.

Edibles are probably the best choice, but all I can really think of are TimTams and Haighs chocolate.
For apparel, there's ugg boots or sheep's wool jumpers, but not sure if those go down well as gifts as the receiver/s might not like them.
I guess there's always stereotype souvenir stuff like boomerangs or plush koala/kangaroo keychains, but I'd rather find something special and more unique, or something more practical.

Does anyone have any suggestions or gift ideas?
If you were buying something for an international friend, what kind of gift would you buy them?

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 06/12/2014 - 23:38
    +3

    Macadamia nuts, beef jerky, wine, Australian calendar, Australian tea (e.g. Nerada tea bags), items like this: http://shop.australiangeographic.com.au/oven-mitt-eucalyptus…

  • altomic on 06/12/2014 - 23:40
    +1

    you are going to Japan. take Australian produce.

    macadamias /choc covered macadamias.
    dried jerky
    localised honey
    jams e.g. berenberg
    bundaberg rum

    typically when a Japanese person goes on holiday they usually bring back for their work collegues some produce from the country/region they visited.
    just check restrictions (e.g. quantity) for taking this sort of stuff on the plane. e.g. I recently lost 500gram jar of honey at CDG. or put it in your check in luggage.

  • juventino on 07/12/2014 - 00:01

    beef jerky
    nougats
    Australian bananas (if you are allowed to bring into Japan).
    Lanolin cream (mostly for Chinese tourists but maybe Japanese will like it too )

  • captain fatguts on 07/12/2014 - 00:21

    Forget Tim Tams, they are readily available in Japan. You can even buy the at Donki stores.

  • zrach on 07/12/2014 - 01:35

    I disagree with the beef jerky. Asian jerky taste better tbh.

    I got some of my friends wooden bookmarks with the city and image carved into it. Idk, it looked cool.

  • Mummy2 on 07/12/2014 - 02:30

    Some of the indigenous stuff is nice - the dot painting designs on vases, aprons, table cloths etc - the stuff that's made/designed in Australia.

    Also what about some bush tucker? The wild hibiscus flowers in syrup are usually pretty easy to get hold (even in supermarkets), or the bush herbs and jams. There are several online stores that sell bush tucker but I've never used them.

  • Grillman on 07/12/2014 - 14:03

    If you live near any vineyards how about some local wine/alcohol?

  • iridiumstem on 07/12/2014 - 14:06

    Manuka honey?

  • clowfine on 07/12/2014 - 22:16

    Cheers for all the suggestions. I'll definitely be hitting up central market soon to find some local produce, jams, honey etc.

    Local wine is okay, but compared to other options seems like kind of a bland gift idea.

    Choc coated macadamias are readily available everywhere in Japan so I don't think they'd be considered very special. I wonder if they have cherry ripe though…

    Apparently paw paw creams are sought after in Japan too, so that's an easy one.

    Other than that, I've added looking for authentic Aussie knick knacks to the list.

    • cpho on 24/12/2014 - 21:53

      Thanks for making this thread OP.
      I'm in a similar situation and found it very helpful

  • donga100 on 08/12/2014 - 08:13
    +1

    Kangaroo scrotum bottle openers are usually an interesting conversation starter. Or a cane toad purse? Obviously need to carefully select your audience (ie. not a member of PETA, etc.) with these gifts.

    • tre180 on 08/12/2014 - 12:47

      I've been looking for these for my Grandad and a few mates for christmas, is $35 the going rate? That's how much they are in the markets in Melb and on eBay, seemed a bit expensive to me!

      • donga100 on 08/12/2014 - 12:56

        I remember them being a bit cheaper but a quick look on ebay says $28-$45 is the going rate. Wholesale price is $9-$13 each depending on size though so maybe you can haggle them down a bit?

        • donga100 on 08/12/2014 - 12:57
          +1

          Or just buy $400 worth?

        • tre180 on 08/12/2014 - 13:13
          +1

          @donga100: Haha, I'm sure the missus will have something to say if a box with 40 Kangaroo scrotums arrives at the house! Thanks though, yeah I think i'll get down to the market and try to haggle.

  • anna10 on 08/12/2014 - 18:22

    I took an upmarket Aussie landscapes calender form the calender stands in the malls right now - not breakable / stale / heavy / lasts for 12 months.

  • inherentchoice on 24/12/2014 - 12:49

    Buderim Ginger Lemon and Lime Marmelade. (buy at Coles/Woolworths)
    Aussie souvenir fridge magnets. (can even buy at airport on way out)
    Tim Tams? (But I know these are now available in some Asian countries)
    Cadbury Marvellous Creations? (I know you can't get this in USA but it may be available in Japan?)

    • altomic on 24/12/2014 - 17:39

      a co-worker justy go back from Japan on sunday and said she wished she had taken those little clip-on koalas.

      I was thinking that next time I go to Japan and visit friends that I'll take a huge lump of beef. (it's relatively expensive there)

  • Tigi on 27/12/2014 - 23:09

    Australian honey
    Sticky candy - http://sticky.com.au/
    Canned koala/kangaroo - http://shop.australiangeographic.com.au/canned-kangaroo.html & http://shop.australiangeographic.com.au/canned-koala.html
    The littlest can of vegemite for a taster
    Opal pendant
    Something artsy perhaps - landscape photographer http://www.kenduncan.com/

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