They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this comes as small comfort to anyone who finds themselves a long way from loved ones. Whether the individual has been sent abroad to work for a period of time, is travelling around the globe on an extended holiday or is serving with the armed forces in a foreign field, such times can be difficult and lonely, but a part of home is never far away.
One way to lift the spirits of that special person is to send a gift package, although many people only choose to do this when commemorating a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or perhaps at Christmas. What you decide to send is of course entirely up to you, but it’s a good idea to always bear in mind the likes and dislikes of the recipient.
In many ways, the most effective gift parcels will contain a carefully-chosen selection of items that will remind the absentee of some of the comforts of home. Even when we’re 10,000 miles away from our friends and families, sometimes the simplest of gifts can take our minds back to our relatives, our living rooms, our gardens and our neighbourhoods.
The advent of the Computer Age has enabled us to communicate instantly via computers, tablets and mobile phones, but sometimes nothing beats the magic of receiving a gift parcel. If you have a loved one currently in another part of the world, you can really make their day by sending a package. And if you’re not sure what to include, here are a few suggestions.
Magazines
Whether that special someone is a fan of the latest fashions, the game of cricket, car performance stats or recent political trends, a magazine can provide hours of relaxing entertainment. There are so many on the market these days, so there really is something to suit every area of interest.
Books
And while we’re talking about reading material, why not send a book or two in your next package? Whether you have selected a few new titles from the local store that you think might capture the imagination or perhaps you’re planning to send one or two favourites for a re-read, you can make the parcel a truly special one.
Food items
While there are some foods which should not be despatched abroad, there are others which would be perfect for a gift package. Imagine the look of delight on the recipient’s face when he opens the parcel and finds a can of delicious tomato soup from home, or a packet of favourite biscuits or maybe even a tin of sweets that bring memories of home flooding back.
Photographs
Sometimes even the simplest things in life perform the biggest tasks. A selection of photographs from loved ones will show recipients just how much they are missed, and will keep them updated on developments from home. If you’re able to compile a photo-book, that will be even better.
Music
Listening to a few favourite tunes is always a pleasure, and it can be even more so when you’re far from home. Anyone who is thinking of compiling a gift package to send abroad should think about creating a CD that contains the best songs to convey a mood. Thanks to modern technology, it’s easy to make a disc that can be sent to a lucky recipient, and if you’re feeling particularly creative why not design and print a CD cover as well?
Whatever you decide to send to your loved ones abroad, remember to add that personal touch to really impress them and make their day a very special one!
About the Author
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Iain Aitchison is a travel and lifestyle blogger. He is currently putting together material for his own upcoming travel and lifestyle blog. [/symple_box]