Secret Santa Hints - (The All-in-One Version)

rapunzel47

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Originally Posted by AbbysMom

So anyone shipping to a foreign country should not wrap their gift because customs will open it?

OK, just out of curiosity -

can you say "candy" or should it be "chocolate"?
can you say "toy" or should it be "cat toy"?
can you say "ornament" or should it say "gnome" ?
Wrapping the gifts shouldn't be a problem. As for customs declaration, I always try to be specific enough that the officials don't feel a need to look, without giving so much away that the recipient doesn't either.
It can be a bit of a challenge, for instance: "chocolate" has proved specific enough, but still pretty broad; it would probably be best to distinguish between a child's toy, a baby's toy, and a cat's toy, those being somewhat different from each other; "toiletries" would likely be specific enough, without saying "Body Shop Nut Butter". "Gnome" on the other hand, might be so specific they'd look at each other and say "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??" -- and have to tear it open.
 

huggles

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I can not speak for other countries - just australia.

You can wrap them as long as your honest about what your putting in the parcel. You dont have to be completely accurate - as in gnome instead of ornament or cat toy instead of toy... but things that are a bit 'uncertain' you should declare accurately. Thats why I mentioned the catnip. Many people think you can not send catnip (and some have had trouble) but as long as you write it on the declaration form then I have had no trouble recieving it.

last year Stephanie sent the boys bonito - I can not believe that actually got through customs (the did open the parcel) but she was honest with what was in there so it got through.

I would use the same logic for other countries.

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

So anyone shipping to a foreign country should not wrap their gift because customs will open it?

OK, just out of curiosity -

can you say "candy" or should it be "chocolate"?
can you say "toy" or should it be "cat toy"?
can you say "ornament" or should it say "gnome" ?
 

rapunzel47

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Yeah, I think the big thing is that you put enough information on the Customs declaration that they don't wonder if you're trying to hide something.
 

gemlady

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Originally Posted by captiva

Tracey, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but Indiana is part of the United States, so you can go ahead and send whatever you got me
Snerk!!!! Too bad Susie isn't here to read this. *sigh*
 

talon

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Originally Posted by captiva

Tracey, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but Indiana is part of the United States, so you can go ahead and send whatever you got me
Ah yes, I forgot that Indiana joined the union after that last poll. Ok, gnoome .....er I mean, the pressie will be on its way.
 

sillyjilly

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Originally Posted by huggles

most of the parcels that have been sent to me are open by Australian customs.
However as long as you write whats on there then it gets through. For example if you write "catnip toys" (other than just plain toys) on the declaration then it will get through customs (after they have opened it lol) even though its thought that they wont allow it into the country. Many members have sent me catnip before (even pure catnip)

this is just an example btw.

Australian customs are quite strict these days - but just be honest... I promise I wont read the declaration label and in fact usually chris hides these things from me until christmas
So do i put Airheads on your package or just candy!!!???
 

talon

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Don't just put Airheads... they might think you are trying to ship a politician or two and won't let the package into the country.
 

AbbysMom

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Secret Santa 2005 - "Year of the Gnome"


I bet no one else is reading this thread because we scared them all away!
 
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ali012281

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"Gnome-body knows the trouble I've seen....."



LOL credit to Gem on that one... what a hoot!!!
 
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