Christmas is a time for family and friend reunions. It is the perfect opportunity to return home or visit someone you haven’t seen for a long time.

Perhaps you have a friend or family member living abroad with whom you will spend this holiday season. Buying a present for someone you don’t see regularly can be difficult. It’s hard to tell what their everyday life is like or what they like or need. 

But worry not! The ELJ Team is coming to your rescue. As a group of expats, we know exactly what we would like to find under the Christmas tree. Check out our ultimate expat gift guide featuring gift ideas from different team members.

The Ultimate Expat Gift Guide

1. Scrapbook
2. Photo album
3. Playlist
4. Long-distance touch lamp
5. Instax camera
6. Food basket
7. Suitcase/backpack
8. Airline voucher
9. E-reader
10. Home decor
11. Plant
12. Long-distance jewellery 

1. Scrapbook

DIY gifts are all the rage. Many people appreciate the time and effort required to do something yourself more than the price tag.

A scrapbook or a photo album is the perfect way to show someone you miss them. By including photos, memories, personal notes, and anecdotes, you can give the other person a piece of you to cherish when you’re apart. 

You can also leave some empty pages so that the recipient of the album can carry on. This way, the scrapbook becomes something you worked on together and brings you closer. 

2. Photo collage

If you don’t have the time for a scrapbook, a photo collage is a great alternative. Make it as big or small as you want - remember that the other person might have to bring it on an airplane. Take it into consideration when planning its format and size.

If you know transporting a physical photo collage may be a challenge, you can always create a digital one. Perhaps it doesn’t feel as good as the real thing, but beggars can’t be choosers! 

Living abroad comes with many challenges, so your expat friend or family member is likely used to making compromises. They will be thrilled to receive a digital photo collage when a physical one isn’t possible. 

3. Playlist

A song can sometimes speak more than a thousand words. Therefore, what better way to say “I love you” or “I miss you” than to create a playlist?

Picks songs that make you think of the other person. Maybe some songs have a special meaning for your relationship? They also shouldn’t be missing from the playlist.

When someone you love moves abroad, you’re not the only one missing them. It goes both ways, and the separation is surely taking its toll on them, too. If you gift them a playlist this Christmas, they will be able to listen to it every time they miss you. 

Gifting someone a playlist tailor-made just for them is the closest thing to being there for them when you’re apart. It can soothe their heart and remind them you’re thinking about them, even if they can’t see it. 

4. Long-distance touch lamp

Sometimes, we would like to let someone know we are thinking about them without directly saying it. Did you know you can use a lamp to do it?

A great gift for expats is a long-distance touch lamp. They come in sets of two - you get one, and gift the other to someone else. All you have to do to let the other side know they are on your mind is touch your lamp. The other person’s lamp will then light up - no matter how far away they are.

There are also bracelets with a similar function - they either light up or vibrate. It’s a unique way to stay in touch (pun intended). 

5. Instax camera

Expats - and especially digital nomads - often want to appreciate every moment. Moving abroad can be hard and sometimes requires focusing on the good things to keep away the doubts.

An Instax camera is a great way to do just that - look for positives and capture the moment. You only get one shot at taking a photo and have to accept it if it comes out imperfect. In fact, it is a great way to learn to appreciate the little things in life and find beauty in imperfections. 

What’s more, an Instax or Polaroid camera will provide your beloved expat with dozens of original souvenirs in the form of physical photos. They can tape them on their wall or stuff them in their drawer to look through when they need a reminder of why they chose to move abroad or to reconnect with their loved ones back home. 

6. Food basket

Out of all the adjectives that come to your mind when imagining being gifted a food basket, many are probably negative: obsolete, unoriginal, low-effort, old-fashioned.

But to an expat, a food basket can be the greatest gift in the world!

One of the things you wish you knew before moving abroad is that you will miss certain foods you know from home but can’t find in your new destination. Chances are, your beloved expat is missing some spices, sweets, or other items which are unavailable where they live now.

Create your own food basket full of items you know the other person enjoys eating. Research which products are difficult or impossible to find in the specific country and make sure to include them in your gift. The recipient will thank you big time! 

7. Suitcase/backpack

Expats often travel a lot. Some of them have swallowed the travel bug and want to make the best of being abroad, while others plan frequent trips home. 

Regardless of the reason or destination, every traveller needs a suitcase or a backpack. They can be quite pricy, which is why spoiling your beloved expat with a fancy suitcase or backpack is always a good idea.

Research luggage compatible with major airlines’ requirements. Many suitcases and backpacks are tailor-made to fit the size guidelines, so watch out for those. You wouldn’t want to get the other person in trouble for showing up with luggage that is too big!

What’s more, if you gift someone a suitcase or a backpack, they will think about you every time they travel. That’s definitely an additional perk. 

8. Airline voucher

Expats often travel a lot, so they spend a lot of money on flight tickets. If you’re looking for an expat gift that will make them incredibly happy, get an airline voucher.

Find out which airline they travel with most frequently and check whether they sell vouchers. If they don’t, make your own and offer to cover a certain amount for their next trip.

And hey, they can always use the voucher to come visit you! It’s a totally selfless gift… 

9. E-reader

If your friend or family member is an expat, travel enthusiast, and bookworm at the same time, then we have the perfect gift for you.

Moving abroad sometimes means having to leave some things behind, or even selling them. International removals cost money, so you have to be smart about what you take with you.

Maybe your beloved expat hadn’t been able to bring their book collection with them. They are likely still mourning it, and although you may not be able to get their cherished books back, you can give them the next best thing possible.

Of course, nothing beats a physical copy of a book, but an e-reader is a practical solution for people who move or travel a lot. You can bring thousands of books in one small device. Good luck fitting even two hardcovers in your luggage! 

10. Home decor

Making a new place feel like home is often a challenge. It is common for expats to feel like tourists for the first few weeks, and once that sensation wears off, homesickness starts to kick in. 

One of the ways to make the transition easier is to adapt your space and give it a cosy feel. You can help your beloved expat do it by gifting them a piece of home decor for their new place.

Not only will it make their home cosier, but it will also allow them to have a piece of you with them at all times. Little knick-knacks reminding expats of home can be very powerful, and they have all the more meaning when they are gifted by someone important. 

11. Plant

When it comes to gifts, you can’t go wrong with plants. There is something out there for everyone, and even if someone is known for murdering everything that’s green, they can always adopt a very resilient cactus.

A plant can be a symbol of your growing friendship. Just like every relationship, it needs to be tended to and cared for in order not to waste away. Plus, a splash of green livens up every home and is a surefire way to cosy up the space. 

And yes, most airlines allow passengers to bring a small plant on board (speaking from experience here). So you don’t have to worry about it being abandoned at the airport. 

12. Long-distance jewellery

This expat gift is a great option even for those who don’t normally wear jewellery. The brand Exchange Life has come up with a wonderful idea to create pieces of jewellery connecting people in long-distance relationships.

It is engraved with the outline of two different countries - one for you, and the other one for the expat. You can choose from necklaces, bracelets, and keychains in all styles; silver, golden, on a chain, or on a string. 

It is a truly heart-warming gift, and one they can always have close. 

P.S. They don’t pay us for promotion, we genuinely think their product is incredibly cute!

There you go. If you had no ideas for expat gifts before, now, you have 12! We hope we have inspired you and that your friend or family member living abroad will love their gift. 

Feeling inspired? Visit our blog for more career advice! How can you be sure the information we provide is top-notch? We are a group of professionals working with recruiters, career coaches, and HR specialists from all over the world! 

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