Gift ideas
Christmas gifts for family in another country
At Christmas the family is rarely in one house. A parcel sent abroad costs more in postage than in contents, arrives late, or sits in customs. A gift that lands digitally and gets spent in the recipient's own currency has none of those problems.
- All brands
- 310 brands orderable in United Kingdom today
- Ordering deadline
- Up to the day itself: digital usually within minutes.
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They pick the country, the currency and the brand
You rarely know which shops are on their street. With the World Gift Card the recipient chooses country, currency and brand at the moment they redeem, so you don't have to fix any of it in advance.
The one December gift with no posting deadline
December is the month every courier fills up and every shop publishes a last order date. A digital card has no such date: you pick the morning it arrives, even if you only remember someone on Christmas Eve.
| This year | Friday 25 December |
|---|---|
| Next year | Saturday 25 December |
Digital
Up to the day itself: digital usually within minutes.
By post
Order before Friday 18 December for delivery in time. Physical cards typically take a few business days, depending on destination, quantity and personalisation.
Etiquette. Don't send family abroad something that can't be bought, powered or used where they live. A gift that needs an adapter, a subscription or a shop round the corner becomes an errand.
Eight directions for Christmas at a distance
A meal on their Christmas Day
Food is the only gift that lands at the same moment as yours. A card at a supermarket or a delivery service does that without you choosing the menu.
Something for Boxing Day
The 26th is the flattest day of the year in most households. A film, a book or a day out used then keeps the gift alive longer.
A day out in their own city
You don't know the city, they do. Leave the choosing to them and pay for the day.
Warm things vary by hemisphere
Christmas is winter for one relative and summer for another. Clothing bought at a distance goes wrong more often than people expect.
Something for a home you've never seen
Pick what fits anywhere: lighting, kitchen kit, a decent pan. Not decoration — that needs to have been seen.
A subscription rather than a parcel
Music, reading, watching. It works the same day in every country and no box is involved.
Let the children pick their own
Guessing which toy counts this year from another country almost always misses. Give them the choice instead.
Let the recipient choose country and currency
You don't need to know where somebody will be at Christmas. That is exactly what the World Gift Card settles.
What each amount buys
At a distance the amount carries more weight than at home, because there is no wrapping and no gesture around it.
| Under £25 | A token for distant relatives or a godchild. Enough for a meal or a book. |
|---|---|
| £25–50 | The usual band for siblings and grown-up cousins. |
| £50–100 | Parents, in-laws, or your own children once they've moved out. |
| £100 and up | Usually one card from the whole household rather than five parcels crossing a border. |
Frequently asked questions
What do you give family living in another country?
Something usable where they are: food, a day out, a subscription, or a card they redeem themselves. Avoid anything that needs a specific shop or plug.
Can a gift arrive on Christmas morning?
Yes. A digital card can be scheduled, so it arrives on the morning itself rather than the moment you order.
Does the recipient pay a currency charge?
No. There is no currency mark-up for the recipient; conversion follows the ECB reference rate.
What is the last order date for Christmas?
For a digital card there isn't one. For a physical card, count back from 25 December and order well ahead.
How is this different from a staff Christmas gift?
This is the private side. Giving on behalf of an employer raises different questions and is covered separately.
Do I need to know which country they'll be in?
Not with the World Gift Card. The recipient chooses country and currency when they redeem.
How much do people give at Christmas?
Within families the usual band runs from £25 to £100, depending on how close someone is and whether there are children.
Can I send one card for a whole household?
Yes, with the total on a single card. At a distance that works better than separate parcels.
What happens to a leftover balance?
It stays on the card until validity ends. Nothing is deducted and nothing expires on first use.
How long is the card valid?
At least 24 months, so it doesn't have to be spent over the holidays.
Other occasions
Looking for a different moment?