What Aussie treats should you include in an overseas care package?
- Replies 3
There are many reasons to send a care package. Maybe you want to send pieces of Australia to a friend who misses home. It could be that you have long-distance relationships, friendships included, who are curious about snacks Aussies enjoy the most. Important life events such as job promotions or retirements can also be celebrated with a thoughtful box of treats and well-wishes.
For one Aussie on the social news website Reddit, it was to express gratitude to Danish friends who served as hosts while he was travelling in Denmark.
On the Australia subreddit – a forum where you can ‘chew the fat about Australia and Australians’ – the Redditor asked other members for recommendations on what to add to their goodie pack. The post came with a picture of the products they had so far, which included local favourites such as Vegemite, Milo, Shapes, and Tim Tam.
The items for the ‘diabetes box’ are mostly for the Danish friend's daughter who loves Australia. Credit: B6Tcs3KJ5G44/Reddit
While there were funny suggestions such as Australian wildlife (spiders, ‘territorial’ magpies) and goods that are impossible to send (Sunnyboy, anyone?), many others recommended food items that are hard to find outside the country.
One member suggested a beloved drink: ‘Solo. I've seen foreigners (especially Americans) rave about how much better it is than any other lemon soft drink. It's practically like Australia's Irn-Bru in regard to its reputation.’
Another user recommended Anzac biscuits. While a comment said that they go for ‘homemade or nothing’, one Aussie shared a practical option for senders who do not have the time to bake: ‘Not gonna lie, Woolies’ Anzacs from their bakery section are the sh**. I’ve gotten every family member and friend obsessed so I don’t feel as guilty smashing a whole pack in three days. I think they put crack in them!’
A Redditor could not help but reminisce about a popular but discontinued treat while listing suggestions: ‘Violet crumble, burger rings, Toobs, Minties... Man, if only we still had those original Milo bars that were compressed Milo covered in chocolate. Delicious.’
Another list said: ‘A bottle of Cottee’s Cordial, mint patties, Golden Rough, Allen’s lollies, Milkos, Sherbies, and Bertie Beetles.’ A commenter responding to the suggestion said that Bertie Beetles are available to buy wholesale if you cannot get an Easter Show showbag.
However, others took the opportunity to pick apart the original poster’s choices.
Noticing the TimTams, a Redditor asked: ‘Original and not double-coat? Do you hate them?’
Another said that the Vegemite was way too small: ‘Don't skimp on the V, that stuff never spoils and there are no local equivalents. And that includes Marmite.’
The Shapes did not go unnoticed either: ‘Sending them Barbecue and Worse Barbecue but no Chicken Crimpys? You may as well just send them anthrax if you're gonna do 'em like that.’
Other Aussies encouraged the original poster to get chicken salt with MSG. One said: ‘MSG is the bomb. The racist campaign against it in the ‘80s changed pretty much everyone’s mind, and it’s so sad. The main type used in restaurants is labelled as “Flavour Enhancer”, and it is exactly that.’ MSG is what makes the chicken salt good!
Seeing that the goodie pack will be sent to non-Aussies, Redditors recommended including instructions: ‘Just make sure that you tell your friend how to consume these foods beforehand.’
One shared a Vegemite mishap with a friend from the other side of the Pacific: ‘When I sent Vegemite to an American friend, I included explicit instructions. I told her not to eat a spoonful of the stuff to gain an opinion. And what did she do? Sigh.’ But at least they were blameless, right?
However, not all local favourites are good to send. A user urged the poster to learn from their mistake: ‘Check the import restrictions for the destination. We sent separate packages to both Slovakia and Ireland with similar contents. Both were rejected by those countries because of the food and were sent back.’ Thankfully, Australia Post has an international post guide detailing items prohibited from importation for every possible destination. You can also calculate delivery costs if you choose to ship through the post office.
Creating a goodie pack might require some thought and effort, but Aussies are not limited in what they can send to family and friends overseas. Photos and handwritten letters are common inclusions for personalised packages. Toiletries and clothes are also sent abroad. Not having the time to put together a parcel is no longer an excuse: there are services online that offer customised boxes with popular food, souvenirs, and other gifts.
Do you have loved ones abroad who would appreciate a care package? If so, what Australian goodies would you send them? We’ll wait for your answers in the comments!
For one Aussie on the social news website Reddit, it was to express gratitude to Danish friends who served as hosts while he was travelling in Denmark.
On the Australia subreddit – a forum where you can ‘chew the fat about Australia and Australians’ – the Redditor asked other members for recommendations on what to add to their goodie pack. The post came with a picture of the products they had so far, which included local favourites such as Vegemite, Milo, Shapes, and Tim Tam.
The items for the ‘diabetes box’ are mostly for the Danish friend's daughter who loves Australia. Credit: B6Tcs3KJ5G44/Reddit
While there were funny suggestions such as Australian wildlife (spiders, ‘territorial’ magpies) and goods that are impossible to send (Sunnyboy, anyone?), many others recommended food items that are hard to find outside the country.
One member suggested a beloved drink: ‘Solo. I've seen foreigners (especially Americans) rave about how much better it is than any other lemon soft drink. It's practically like Australia's Irn-Bru in regard to its reputation.’
Another user recommended Anzac biscuits. While a comment said that they go for ‘homemade or nothing’, one Aussie shared a practical option for senders who do not have the time to bake: ‘Not gonna lie, Woolies’ Anzacs from their bakery section are the sh**. I’ve gotten every family member and friend obsessed so I don’t feel as guilty smashing a whole pack in three days. I think they put crack in them!’
A Redditor could not help but reminisce about a popular but discontinued treat while listing suggestions: ‘Violet crumble, burger rings, Toobs, Minties... Man, if only we still had those original Milo bars that were compressed Milo covered in chocolate. Delicious.’
Another list said: ‘A bottle of Cottee’s Cordial, mint patties, Golden Rough, Allen’s lollies, Milkos, Sherbies, and Bertie Beetles.’ A commenter responding to the suggestion said that Bertie Beetles are available to buy wholesale if you cannot get an Easter Show showbag.
However, others took the opportunity to pick apart the original poster’s choices.
Noticing the TimTams, a Redditor asked: ‘Original and not double-coat? Do you hate them?’
Another said that the Vegemite was way too small: ‘Don't skimp on the V, that stuff never spoils and there are no local equivalents. And that includes Marmite.’
The Shapes did not go unnoticed either: ‘Sending them Barbecue and Worse Barbecue but no Chicken Crimpys? You may as well just send them anthrax if you're gonna do 'em like that.’
Other Aussies encouraged the original poster to get chicken salt with MSG. One said: ‘MSG is the bomb. The racist campaign against it in the ‘80s changed pretty much everyone’s mind, and it’s so sad. The main type used in restaurants is labelled as “Flavour Enhancer”, and it is exactly that.’ MSG is what makes the chicken salt good!
Seeing that the goodie pack will be sent to non-Aussies, Redditors recommended including instructions: ‘Just make sure that you tell your friend how to consume these foods beforehand.’
One shared a Vegemite mishap with a friend from the other side of the Pacific: ‘When I sent Vegemite to an American friend, I included explicit instructions. I told her not to eat a spoonful of the stuff to gain an opinion. And what did she do? Sigh.’ But at least they were blameless, right?
However, not all local favourites are good to send. A user urged the poster to learn from their mistake: ‘Check the import restrictions for the destination. We sent separate packages to both Slovakia and Ireland with similar contents. Both were rejected by those countries because of the food and were sent back.’ Thankfully, Australia Post has an international post guide detailing items prohibited from importation for every possible destination. You can also calculate delivery costs if you choose to ship through the post office.
Creating a goodie pack might require some thought and effort, but Aussies are not limited in what they can send to family and friends overseas. Photos and handwritten letters are common inclusions for personalised packages. Toiletries and clothes are also sent abroad. Not having the time to put together a parcel is no longer an excuse: there are services online that offer customised boxes with popular food, souvenirs, and other gifts.
Do you have loved ones abroad who would appreciate a care package? If so, what Australian goodies would you send them? We’ll wait for your answers in the comments!
.png){kind=icon}
