https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 14:05:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1791056 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:16:51 +0000 mynoahbear 1791056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lived in Beijing for 1.5 years. We just left 3 months ago. I agree with the others who said find out if she is moving with a shipping container or just suitcases. We moved there with a large shipping container so I stocked up on everything...wipes, diapers in current size and larger sizes, diaper rash cream, formula, soap, lotion... basically everything. Also, even though we had a container, it took over a month to arrive and clear customs, so I also made sure we brought essentials in my suitcases. Many imported items are available in China, especially in Beijing and Shanghai but it's at least triple the price you would normally pay. Also, if she is loyal to certain brands, the stores may not carry it. A lot of the imported items are from Europe like Hipp Formula from Germany. Baby clothes are expensive because there is no Target or stores like that. Many of the stores are brand name stores like Jacadi. There are stores like GAP, Zara, and H&amp;M but more expensive than in the States. Plus, also keep in mind, if she is moving with just suitcases, things like soap, lotion, formula are all very heavy.</p> <p>As for mailing a package to her, make sure you print out her address in Chinese and put it on the package somewhere. We've also missed a couple of packages. I don't know what happened to them but we never received them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790937 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:35:31 +0000 gracecat 1790937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry I'm not in China but traveled there a bit. I have been an expat in Japan and Korea. And no missing items from the post in either of those countries. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790891 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:20:16 +0000 Tanjowen 1790891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gracecat: @PinkElephant: How has your experiences been with customs in China? I lived in Vietnam for a year and items went missing a lot of times from packages my family sent over, so I'm kind of leery of sending something to her in the mail later on :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790853 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:03:25 +0000 snowjewelz 1790853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would def wait till she's there and somewhat settled. I'd actually get her something for HER... Like some US magazines, a yankee candle, some US snacks... Things that make her feel at home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790841 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 07:58:36 +0000 Cole 1790841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, I would give her a card right now and tell her you're shipping a gift (or just do it). I don't know how seasoned a traveler she is but I think just about everyone gets a little overwhelmed and lovely at first in a new country. A gift package with some practical baby things and maybe a few little things for the new parents and older sibling might be way more exciting then getting a gift now that she just has to worry about packing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790798 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 07:33:19 +0000 PinkElephant 1790798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an expat in Hong Kong. Most things are available here but are very marked up and selection is limited, so everyone ends up with the same stuff. Maybe send her with something custom made, like stroller/car seat/Carrier strap covers from Etsy? SwaddleMe blankets, sleep sacks and Aden + Anais muslins are really expensive here. If you want to be practical, items related to breastfeeding (nursing pads, milk bags) can be hard to track down. Finally, as others suggested - basics from Carter's might be nice - it's easy to find pricey/fancy baby clothes, harder to find cute quality onesies and pjs at a good price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790774 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 07:10:12 +0000 Tanjowen 1790774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gracecat: Great ideas, thank you!</p> <p>@SugarplumsMom: @lamariniere: @looch: : I didnt' event think about the container v. suitcase situation. I'll check with her on it. Thanks everyone :): </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790708 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 05:43:15 +0000 looch 1790708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you also need to be aware of customs and what the rules are for personal items.</p> <p>I would make the assumption that her container is packed and that whatever you give must go in a suitcase.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790657 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:34:38 +0000 lamariniere 1790657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gracecat: I agree about checking to see if she is taking suitcases or gets a shipping container. We are expats in Europe and got a container when we moved, so we didn't have to be nearly as careful about packing. If she is just taking suitcases, I would just give something very small. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790653 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:02:55 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1790653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not in Asia, but I live abroad and luggage space is really precious to me. Especially when traveling with LOs. I'm sure she'd greatly appreciate whatever you gift her, but honestly, she'd likely appreciate it more if you wait until she arrives in China and ship her a small care package. She's bound to have forgotten a few things for herself and her babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790649 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:50:35 +0000 gracecat 1790649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am an expat in Asia, I would get her Western branded baby toiletries like natural baby wash shampoo or lotion, baby tylenol, snot sucker, triple paste rash cream. or sunscreen. Baby over the counter meds in general are Often appreciated. Carter's footed sleepers and halo sleep sacks are hard to get here or expensive so I am always looking for those too. Check whether she is shipping a container or just suitcases, as that will make a difference on what size items to get as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790465 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:35:51 +0000 Tanjowen 1790465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: She's breastfeeding, but I've heard the same thing about formula in China! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790454 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:30:24 +0000 sunny 1790454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does she need formula? From what I understand formula in china is not trusted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-ideas-for-mom-moving-overseas-help#post-1790428 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:22:24 +0000 Tanjowen 1790428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my friends just had her 2nd baby - a girl (the first was a boy). She is moving in 6 weeks to China.</p> <p>I have no idea what to get her and I don't want to overload her with things to pack either. Any ideas, or anyone out there that knows expats in China and has an idea of what she might need the most there? </p>