Whether due to things be prohibitively expensive where I was travelling or the high import duties and taxes of my recipient's country, I have found it sometimes easier to shop on the Amazon website of the recipient's country but also follow up with a few postcards and notecards of my travels during the holiday season for a more personal touch. In my past experience Amazon was surprisingly good at handling international credit cards, Sephora surprisingly not. You might have to make a few calls if the website does not accept your card. Sometimes a real person can push it through.


Having been in a similar situation, my past Santas were able to accomodate a late delivery in the first week of January. I also provided gift card options for my Santas that prefer to get shopping out of the way or if winter weather logistics causes too much stress. I do always remember to post what I received so my Santa knows that I received their gift. For the gift card options, I post receipt of the gift card and then later when I purchase an item with it.

In again this year and can't wait!

I'm in. This is my first year on FT SS, to give back to all the folks who helped make me a better business traveler.

I've done this previously on my BMW forums. Does FT do an signup thread, then a 'it's getting close' thread, then a post your presents thread? Inquiring minds and all :)

Also, one question I noticed that was missing from the SS signup. Are there restrictions on food or liquor gifts? Or does FT SS not allow for food or liquor gifts whatsoever?. Mostly asking for selfish reasons, because I love rare wines and forgot to list that on my signup PM (duh!)...but also want to be sensitive to the customs/wishes/desires/needs of my SS recipients (particularly since I like to buy off list).

Thanks

Jen

I hope I get you as my SS! ;) This is also my first time participating but from what I understood there are a lot of restrictions when it comes to shipping alcohol across state lines (even if you are a retailer/winemaker) so that might be a challenge depending on where you/your Santa are located.

There are no FT-specific restrictions on food or alcohol. I have both received and sent food and alcohol as gifts. As the OP mention, the only restrictions are on customs/postal. When I sent wine overseas, I used a website in that country to make the purchase and have it shipped from there to eliminate those issues.

I signed up - first time! It'll be fun to bring some merriment to another adult's life (I know that at the holidays, in my house, it's all about my kids' merriment, not mine - I imagine that I am not alone in this ;) )

Short answer no restrictions on food or "liquor".
I've listed on my facts that i love Italian wines and got sent 2 lovely bottles of wine last year. One wine was a barolo. Also, chocolates seems to be a popular gift. Other food items such as tea and coffee as well. It's really what hints you list to help your SS shop for gifts. So if you didn't list it they wont know to get you it.
However, note depending on the state they will not even ship/deliever alcohol or someone must be present over age 21 to sign for the package. (Case for me in FL)

PandaSoPink

All posts are done in this thread, and wharvey will post multiple reminders. Once people receive gifts, you'll see their posts here as well.
The restriction is that all beer must be sent to me. :)

I would suggest all the new players on this thread take a look at the thread from last year. Lots of great ideas/photos on gifts sent.

dh

Thanks all for the info. Looking forward to this.

One thing I might suggest for future year sign ups...is to add a question regarding any food/liquid restrictions of the recipient. There are always creative ways to get a gift to someone (even with our arcane liquor laws) but I would hate to send a bottle of wine or some great pancetta to someone who, for religious or personal reasons, cannot consume either. If my gifts must be regifted, I take it personally....that I didn't know my recipient well enough to buy something they will enjoy.

Just food for thought (pun intended).

I just put that I don't drink alcohol in the bit that asked for anything your Santa should know.

Ah fair point, Frontenac. Hopefully others will do the same :)

I just know that not drinking alcohol (or coffee - put that too) is fairly unusual (I'm in Europe - I'm sure it's more usual in other places) and that it is a fairly common gift idea, so I thought it safest to mention.

I have a nut allergy, and I just mentioned that in the "about me" part.

Thanks all...seems like I was worrying for nothing. As a FT newbie, I was so excited about registering, I probably left some goodies out of my wish list. FT SS old timers, would I be correct in assuming it's not uncommon for FTers to 'stalk' their SS (reading other posts contained within FT) to learn more about their giftee? I think my forgotten goodies are mentioned in other threads :)

Thx!