Wednesday 19th November - Travel Doctor
Dear Travel Doctor,
I’m going to visit my family in the States this year for Christmas, but I’m a bit worried about baggage limitations. I want to give them good presents this year as it will be our first Christmas together since 2005. Do you have any suggestions as to how I could lighten the load and not have to pay excess baggage?
- Greg, Gloucester
Hi Greg,
Christmas is a time of generosity and goodwill, but there’s absolutely no reason why you should have to pay over the odds to get presents to your family.
To get the perfect gift delivered directly to your relatives’ door is killing two birds with one stone. Using websites like Amazon which have both British and American versions, you can choose something from the U.S. site and have it delivered in time for Christmas. Let your relative know that it will be coming, and get them to hold off opening it until you arrive. If you want to make sure what you buy is exactly what they want, ask if they have an Amazon wish list that you can pick from. Shopping online will save you a hell of a lot of money and space in your luggage. Some websites even offer free or discounted shipping.
Some chain stores have an option of buying an item online, then picking it up from the shop of your choice. Choose a branch in your relatives’ town and you can go fetch the gifts when you arrive. Alternatively, if you know that the town has plenty of good stores, save your Christmas shopping for when you arrive there.
Something that isn’t quite so personal, but would be good for relatives you don’t know too well, is a gift voucher or certificate. This works for Amazon, but be careful that gift cards or vouchers you buy in the UK can be used in affiliate stores over in the U.S. Gift certificates solve the age-old problem of receiving gifts that you don’t really like, but have to accept with politeness!
If you want to give a gift that’s a bit out of the ordinary, why not organise a trip or dinner for the time you’ll be in the States? This is great because it means you can join the fun too, and end up with some great memories.
Another thing to bear in mind is sharing the load with a travelling companion. You didn’t say if you were travelling to the U.S. on your own, but if you’re flying with someone, lighten the load by going Dutch on gifts.
For the cheapest flights to America, visit FlightComparison.co.uk.