London-based reader Kerry is looking for easy-to-ship thank you gifts with an English theme for her friends who are helping her to plan a Stateside celebration.
{Kerry’s Request}
I need your help! I moved to Surrey from the States in April and I’m heading back to America in a week’s time with my husband to attend a party to celebrate our wedding this past June and the announcement of our first-born, due in May. I have a group of girlfriends who have been lending a hand with party planning since I am so far away. I’d love to send them an English-themed thank you package on my return. For a budget I was thinking £15-£30 per gift but am open to ideas and have to keep in mind that I will have to ship them too. Do you have any suggestions on what to get? Having the support of my girlfriends so far away means the world to me. I’m hoping a little thank you gift will make them feel as special as they make me feel.
Kerry
Nails Inc
Nails Inc polishes are named for London streets and famous areas around the capital so work for your English theme. The Ballet Sheers collection (which includes Covent Garden Ballet, Radnor Walk and Hamilton Mews) is a range of pretty nudes and, with each polish costing just £5 in the sale, you could buy a couple for each of your girls, pop them in the post and still be well within budget. Or go bespoke with their Styled By You option. Pick your favourite colour, choose a cap, add a message and decorate the gift box with stickers.
Liberty
Liberty prints are as English as afternoon tea at The Ritz, Pimm’s on the lawn and cricket on the green. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there’s a whole bunch of flower-scattered gifts to choose from on the Liberty site that are well within your budget. You could go down the foodie route with a tin of tea, butter fudge or a box of chocolates. If you’d prefer your gift to be pretty and useful there are boxes of pencils and fabric-covered notebooks. For something purely pretty a friendship bracelet would make a lovely keepsake for your Stateside friends.
Alphabet Bags
Choose from pouches, purses, tote bags and more, adorned with either your friends’ first initials or a cute message. Why not give them a daily ‘you rock’ boost with a You Look Lovely Today pouch from John Lewis?
Biscuiteers
One of my favourite ways to say thank you is with Biscuiteers biscuits. With lots of themes to choose from, there’s bound to be something to suit the personality of each of your girls and they ship internationally, so the hard work’s done for you. Plus they taste yummy. How about a Wonder Woman giant biscuit card for your wonderful friends?
Tatty Devine
Quirky and fun in a very English kind of way, Tatty Devine jewellery is a cute way to say thank you. You could get each girl a personalised name necklace, or choose from a whole host of designs on the site. On an English theme and within budget (just!) I like the Magpie Earrings (two for joy!) or the Fallen Leaves Necklace.
Anyone else spotted anything that would make a great gift for Kerry’s friends? Do share below.
I may not have understood properly, but if you are sending the packages by post then nail polish is a no-no I’m afraid! You can post it within the UK, but not internationally. Sorry to be a bore, just don’t want you to end up getting turned away at the post office! x
Oh I love that liberty bracelet! x
Isn’t pretty?! x
So polishes would be a pressie to take with, apologies Kerry. Thanks for the tip off Lynsey, very useful to know and my something new today! x
If you want to be very English – there are some really lovely tea gifts at Fortnum and Mason – bir rubbish if they don’t like tea though! Nice foodie gifts too the packaging is lovely.
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/p-6914-three-mini-fruit-flavoured-teas-3x25g.aspx
I like the nail polish idea although I had no idea shipping might an issue. Booooo.
Oliver Bonas have lovely totes, makeup bags and candles with initials on. I got them for my bridesmaids they are lovely quality. Not really English themed but a nice gift.
https://www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/alphabet-make-up-bag-14158
Fortnum and Mason is so quintessentially English, something foodie would be perfect Nicola. I know, so annoying about the nail polish, I love the idea of the bespoke one, might have to gift that to… myself! Lots of gorge gifts at Oliver Bonas, love that shop!
You area very thoughtful friend Kerry! How about something from selfridges and then you can get each one a yellow bag which looks very British. Same applies for anything Liberty too! Some lovely ideas here, that I will be saving for future gifts – thanks Miranda x
Aw, pleasure Sian! You’re so right, Selfridges is a great source for gifts, at all price points. X
I’m afraid to break it to you but you cannot send nail varnish in the post so that is a no no on the Nails Inc.
How about something from Cath Kidston? So quintessentially English and they are lots of things with either London designs or the English countryside.
Thanks for pointing that out Bryony! Ah yes, Cath Kidston is so very English and lots of ideas for gifts!
How about a bit of Jane Austen? http://www.janeaustengiftshop.co.uk/collections/books
Brilliant idea Claire. There are some beautiful editions of classic novels out there.
Ooooh I love all these ideas – so many lovely things to bundle together and make a wonderful pressie. Now I just need someone to send it to…..darn it, might have to be myself 😉
Haha, love it!
ps. I found this on John Lewis: http://www.johnlewis.com/gifts/british-themed-gifts/c6000350909 x
What a great round up Sarah! Cola Cubes take me back to being a kid and spending my pocket money on sweets!