Christmas Abroad!

NeonCookies

So, I've read this forum before...but now it's gone and made me all homesick!

Myself and the OH will not only be spending our first Christmas away from our respective families this year, but we're also in Tokyo of all places. The tradition here is that Japanese people go to KFC on Christmas Day (thanks to a very successful marketing campaign they did) - seriously, apparently you have to preorder food, queue up and everything :eek: Having said that, at least it'll be cold..can't imagine a hot Christmas in Australia or somewhere!

We live in a typical, tiny Tokyo apartment - no oven, so no turkey dinner :eek: My parents are sending me a Christmas package in a couple of weeks, and I can't think of what I want in it! Having a tough time remembering things I'd like because I can't see any of them here in shops to remind me. I need help!

So, my question: If you were abroad for Christmas, what would you like to receive from home in a Christmas package??

lisa_celtic

• Tayto Cheese and Onion
• Club Orange
• A Selection Box
• Clonakilty Black Pudding (not sure how that travels)
• Roses, Celebrations or Heros (I hate quality Street)
• A picture of their Christmas Tree

fishy fishy

lisa_celtic wrote: »

• Tayto Cheese and Onion
• Club Orange
• A Selection Box
• Clonakilty Black Pudding (not sure how that travels)
• Roses, Celebrations or Heros (I hate quality Street)
• A picture of their Christmas Tree

Tayto and Selection Box is definitely A MUST.
Red Lemonade
Box of Chocolates - nice Irishy ones
Irish Teabags
Christmas Crackers to pull when you are in KFC
Bottle of Advokat and white lemonade to make Snowballs with as per Nigella Lawson.

miss no stars

fishy fishy wrote: »

Tayto and Selection Box is definitely A MUST.
Red Lemonade
Box of Chocolates - nice Irishy ones
Irish Teabags
Christmas Crackers to pull when you are in KFC
Bottle of Advokat and white lemonade to make Snowballs with as per Nigella Lawson.

Don't want to be a killjoy but I remember an article that the BA were sending christmas goodies to their troops in afghanistan but they had to take the snaps out as they were considered explosives (but actual explosives were ok)... Found article here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/10/silent_night_xmas_cracker_crack_me_up/

So you'd have to check that it's definitely okay before having crackers sent or your whole package might end up being destroyed

Only things I could think of not listed already that I'd want are:

Christmas Pudding/Cake
Mince pies
Chocolate Coins

Alicat

A Christmassy candle! Something that will remind you of home, like a pine smell, or mulled wine etc.

Will you have some sort of Christmas tree?

prettygurrly

you can get little mulled wine sachets that you can make with some wine over there (that's if they have red wine, never been to Japan)

also you can deep fry a turkey (saw it done on come dine with me) so that would be your turkey sorted.

cranberry sauce

also on the subject of christmas hampers, there are plenty being sent down to Oz so they may have christmas crackers in them which are cleared to be shipped...

fishy fishy

a tin of christmas biscuits. Kimberly, mikado, or usa assorted or one of those sort of things.

NeonCookies

Wow, thanks everyone! I'm feeling inspired now making up a list of things I'd like I'll be home 3 months after Christmas anyway, but hopefully these things will make it easier. My OH isn't a big Christmas person, but he said he'll be making every effort for me - I love it! A tin of biscuits and some roses are a must (although I'd have to get them sent without the tin as it's too big and bulky)

miss no stars wrote: »

Don't want to be a killjoy but I remember an article that the BA were sending christmas goodies to their troops in afghanistan but they had to take the snaps out as they were considered explosives (but actual explosives were ok)... Found article here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/10/silent_night_xmas_cracker_crack_me_up/

So you'd have to check that it's definitely okay before having crackers sent or your whole package might end up being destroyed

I've already had an experience of a package being delayed because my parents put things in that aren't allowed (dry shampoo aerosols ) so I'll be checking the regulations VERY carefully. I'd love some Christmas crackers though!

Alicat wrote: »

A Christmassy candle! Something that will remind you of home, like a pine smell, or mulled wine etc.

Will you have some sort of Christmas tree?

The Christmas Candle is a great idea - I love the idea of a pine one - I'll definitely be looking into a Christmas tree, although it'll be a small fake one instead of the big real one I usually have at home!

prettygurrly wrote: »

also you can deep fry a turkey (saw it done on come dine with me) so that would be your turkey sorted.

I never thought of deep frying turkey, although I'd only have a pan to do it in, no deep fat fryer. A friend told me about last years Christmas experience here....a group of them tried microwaving a turkey, but it was too big, got stuck, and they had to chop it up and fry it :eek: ...think I might splash out and find a hotel or something doing a Christmas dinner!! My tiny kitchen is bad enough without my cooking skills..


Thanks a million for the suggestions everyone. Christmas prep is well underway here despite it being an adopted holiday pretty much. Starbucks has special drinks with a red, festive menu (like a gingerbread latte!), and Tokyo Disneyland is all decked out too. My students told me they go all out on lights in the streets too!

fishy fishy

NeonCookies wrote: »

Wow, thanks everyone! I'm feeling inspired now making up a list of things I'd like I'll be home 3 months after Christmas anyway, but hopefully these things will make it easier. My OH isn't a big Christmas person, but he said he'll be making every effort for me - I love it! A tin of biscuits and some roses are a must (although I'd have to get them sent without the tin as it's too big and bulky)



I've already had an experience of a package being delayed because my parents put things in that aren't allowed (dry shampoo aerosols ) so I'll be checking the regulations VERY carefully. I'd love some Christmas crackers though!


The Christmas Candle is a great idea - I love the idea of a pine one - I'll definitely be looking into a Christmas tree, although it'll be a small fake one instead of the big real one I usually have at home!




I never thought of deep frying turkey, although I'd only have a pan to do it in, no deep fat fryer. A friend told me about last years Christmas experience here....a group of them tried microwaving a turkey, but it was too big, got stuck, and they had to chop it up and fry it :eek: ...think I might splash out and find a hotel or something doing a Christmas dinner!! My tiny kitchen is bad enough without my cooking skills..


Thanks a million for the suggestions everyone. Christmas prep is well underway here despite it being an adopted holiday pretty much. Starbucks has special drinks with a red, festive menu (like a gingerbread latte!), and Tokyo Disneyland is all decked out too. My students told me they go all out on lights in the streets too!

sounds like fun - post pics - its nice to see how other countries look.
dont' smash the biccies.

ahuminahumina

Ye have to have something decent to watch while digesting all the grub.....DVDs of Father Ted, Killinaskully, Only Fools (include Christmas specials).....whatever yeer into.

EZ24GET

I would want a nativity scene, a basket of Bloomer (brand name) chocolates a good bunch of hot chocolate drink packets and some marshmallow fluff. Two Christmas mugs A box of homemade Christmas cookies. Some good crackers and cheese, maybe a small canned ham. I could heat it in a microwave. Some tinsel bells and a tiny Christmas tree. I might be a little greedy.

prettygurrly

ahuminahumina wrote: »

Ye have to have something decent to watch while digesting all the grub.....DVDs of Father Ted, Killinaskully, Only Fools (include Christmas specials).....whatever yeer into.

never thought of what should be on the box...what's the tv like over there? will you need some dvds of "miracle of 34th street" n "white christmas" to see you through?

EZ24GET

I wish they still showed "The Bells of Saint Mary's" I suppose it's too too old. Have to see the cartoon with sunmizer and coldmizer. and Nestor

NeonCookies

Hey all! Just an update on this thread because you were all so great with your tips I thought I'd be feeling worse now than I am. But my super awesome BF surprised me by decorating the whole apartment while I was out one night - tinsel, baubles hanging from the lampshade, Christmas lights, and a little Christmas tree. The whole lot!

We have presents from family to open, along with a tin of biscuits, chocolate santas, christmas pudding and an array of other goodies!

KFC won't be happening on Christmas Day (don't think I could handle it..) but may take a visit on Christmas Eve Instead, Christmas dinner will be TGI Friday's babyback ribs (may not be my mum's turkey and ham dinner, but it's a passable substitute). Have a few Christmassy movies lined up too.

That, a few drinks and then when our day is done, a skype back home to partake in Irish Christmas for a little while. It's sounding really good right now - even if there's a chance I'll get upset at some point in the next week about not actually being at home.