The best gifts for Australians living overseas

Because Pavlova doesn't travel very well.

Georgia Dixon
Nov 30, 2021
Icon Time To Read2 min read

For Aussies living in other countries, Christmases, birthdays and other special occasions can be some of the hardest times of the year to be apart - especially given the current state of international travel. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways to brighten their special day and let them know you're thinking of them and missing them.

Whether it's a friend, partner or family member, here are some of the best gifts for Australians living overseas.

The best gifts for Australians living overseas

A taste of home

Best gifts for Australians living overseas - a box full of Aussie treats
Down Under Box
A selection of classic Aussie treats to send to homesick loved ones.
Starting from$40 (+ shipping)

Anyone who's spent a decent chunk of time away from Australia can attest to the longing one feels for a humble packet of TimTams or a glass of milk topped with a truly excessive amount of Milo.

Down Under Box offers a bunch of different hampers for your Aussie loved one to give them a taste of home. Boxes start at $40, or you can build your own from $55, choosing from a selection of goodies like Vegemite, Shapes, Wagon Wheels, Caramello Koalas and more.

A subscription box

CrateJoy subscription box
Choose from hundreds of different subscription boxes (either as a one-off or monthly delivery). There's a box for just about every kind of person.
Starting fromUnder $10 to $100+

These days there are subscription boxes for just about every niche interest you could possibly imagine. Escape rooms, Dungeons and Dragons, jerky, self-care, hot sauce, Japanese snacks... you name it, it probably exists on CrateJoy.

Most of their subscription boxes cost between $20 and $40 each, and you can choose to buy a box as a one-off or pre-pay for 3, 6 or 12 months of deliveries. Speaking of deliveries, CrateJoy ships internationally, so they also make great gifts for relos and friends here in Oz, too!

Aboriginal art, jewellery and homewares

heart-shaped aboriginal flag earrings that read "always was, always will be"
Buy from Aboriginal-owned businesses
Support First Nations people by treating your loved one to a beautiful piece of Aboriginal-designed clothing, jewellery, art or homewares.

Give them something that will always remind them of Australia with a beautiful gift made by an Aboriginal artist or designer.

There are plenty of websites claiming to sell authentic Aboriginal products, but stick to First Nations-owned and operated retailers like Clothing the Gaps, jewellery designer Haus of Dizzy (featured above), nonprofit organisation Welcome to Country and gift marketplace First Nations Gifts.

Long-distance touch lamp

best
Friendship Lamps
Stay connected from afar with these Wi-Fi enabled touch lamps that light up when your loved one is thinking about you.
Starting from$109

Given the difficult couple of years we've all had being separated from friends and family (regardless of whether they live across the road or across the pond), this gift idea couldn't be more perfect.

Friendship Lamps are touch lamps connected via Wi-Fi. When you touch your lamp, the other will light up and vice versa. It's a cute way to let someone know you're thinking about them, missing them, or simply want to say 'hi'.

You can get an individual lamp all the way up to a set of up to six if you've got a big family or friend group stretched all over the world (or even just throughout Australia).

Wine club subscription

Wine subscription
Just about every country has its own online wine subscription, so why not give your loved one a gift that keeps on giving?
Prices vary

You may not be able to toast in person, but getting them a wine subscription is just about the next best thing. There are online wine subscriptions operating in most countries, allowing you to buy a bundle once-off or, if you're feeling particularly generous, on a recurring monthly basis.

The most economical way to give this gift is to find a wine club in their country. Many offer free (or at least cheap) local shipping, so you can spend more on the good stuff instead.

Here are a few subscription wine clubs in some of the most popular Aussie expat destinations.

Country
Retailer
Price
Go to site
UKSavage VinesFrom £29.95 per month
USAWincFrom US$13 per bottle
CanadaWineCollectiveFrom CAD$59.99 per month
New ZealandWinedabFrom NZD$44.97 per month

Australia candle

homesick candles australia
Homesick Candles
Make them miss home even more with all the scents of Australia in one beautiful candle.

If you're the kind of person who doesn't consider a gift successful unless it makes the recipient cry, might we suggest this Australian-scented delight from Homesick Candles?

Featuring notes of eucalyptus, saltwater, jasmine, lily, sandalwood and even sunscreen, it'll instantly transport them back to those warm sunny days in Oz. Maybe send them a packet of tissues with this one.

Georgia Dixon
Written by
Georgia Dixon has 10 years of experience writing about all things tech, entertainment and lifestyle. She spends most of her time as Managing Editor of SafeWise Australia and also has bylines on 7NEWS, Stuff.co.nz, in TechLife magazine and more. In 2023 she won Best News Writer at the Consensus IT Awards, and in 2024 she was a finalist for Best News Journalist at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards (The Lizzies). In her spare time, you'll find her playing games and daydreaming about good food, wine, and dogs.