Baby Age personalised gift set with a bunny, pink blanket and teether, embroidered with the name Charlie

Gifts for a Grandchild in Australia When You Live Overseas

Becoming a grandparent is one of life's great joys. Becoming a grandparent while your grandchild is growing up on the other side of the world is something else entirely. Video calls help, but there's nothing quite like knowing they have something from you to hold on to.

Whether you're in the UK, New Zealand, Asia, Europe or North America, this guide covers keepsake gift ideas for each milestone in your grandchild's first year. It also explains how to send them to Australia without the cost and worry of international post.

Why a keepsake means more from a distance

When you can't be there for the everyday moments, the gifts you send carry extra weight. A personalised keepsake does something a toy from the shops can't:

  • It's a reminder of you. A blanket or bunny with their name on it, sent by Nana and Pop, becomes part of their routine at nap time and bedtime.
  • It lasts. Keepsakes are kept long after they're outgrown, and one day your grandchild will know exactly who gave it to them.
  • It shows up in photos. Every snap the parents send you is a chance to see your gift being loved.
  • It's personal. An embroidered name shows you chose it just for them, even from thousands of kilometres away.

Gift ideas for every milestone

All prices are in Australian dollars.

When your grandchild is born

A new baby is the perfect moment for a gift that says welcome to the family.

  • A personalised gift set (from $120). A named blanket and teddy, matched and presented ready to give, so it arrives looking beautiful even though you couldn't wrap it yourself. Shop personalised baby gift sets
  • A 5-piece gift set (from $155). A generous welcome gift, and a lovely one for grandparents to give together. Shop baby girl gift sets or baby boy gift sets
  • A twin gift set (from $199). Two grandchildren at once means two named keepsakes. Shop twin baby sets

Their first Christmas

A first Christmas is a milestone you'll want to be part of, even from afar.

For more ideas, see our guide to baby's first Christmas gift ideas.

Their first birthday

By their first birthday, your grandchild is busy, curious and on the move.

  • A personalised hooded towel (from $38.95). Practical for bath time, swimming lessons and the beach. Shop baby towels
  • A named soft toy. If you sent a blanket when they were born, a matching bunny or teddy makes a lovely follow-up. Shop personalised soft toys

Not sure how much to spend? Our guide to baby gift etiquette breaks down typical amounts by relationship.

How to order from overseas

You don't need to post anything yourself. Order online, and we'll personalise the gift in our Perth studio and send it within Australia, so there's no international postage, no customs forms and no import duties.

  1. Choose your gift and add your grandchild's name for embroidery.
  2. Enter your grandchild's Australian address as the shipping address at checkout.
  3. Untick "Use shipping address as billing address". You'll find this box in the payment section of checkout. Unticking it allows you to add your international address.
  4. Enter your own overseas address as the billing address. Simply put your international address, the one your card is registered to, into the billing address fields. This lets your order process.
  5. Pay as usual. Prices are in Australian dollars, and your card provider converts the amount to your own currency automatically.

For a full walkthrough, see our guide to sending a baby gift to Australia from overseas.

What to write on the gift card

Add a complimentary hand-written gift card at checkout, available on most gift sets, so your grandchild's parents know exactly who it's from. A few ideas to get you started:

  • "Welcome to the world, little one. All our love from Nana and Pop in London."
  • "For your first Christmas. We can't wait to give you a cuddle in person. Love, Grandma and Grandpa."
  • "Happy first birthday! Wish we could be there to see you blow out the candle. Love always, Oma and Opa."
  • "Something to snuggle until we see you next. Love from Nonna."

Keep it short and add the city or country you're writing from. It's a lovely detail for the family to read out one day.

Getting the timing right

Every gift is made to order, so allow time for personalisation and delivery.

  • For Christmas: order at least two weeks before Christmas, by Friday 11 December, to beat the rush. Our guide to sending a Christmas gift to a baby in Australia from overseas has more Christmas tips.
  • For birthdays and new arrivals: order around two weeks ahead so the gift arrives on time.
  • Remember the time difference. We're on Perth time (AWST) and process orders Monday to Friday.
  • Delivery is within Australia only. Standard delivery takes 3 to 10 business days after dispatch, and express takes 2 to 5. Regional addresses can take a little longer.

Grandparents' FAQs

Can I order from overseas?

Yes. You can order from anywhere in the world, as long as the gift is going to an Australian address.

My payment didn't go through. What should I do?

Check your billing address. Untick "Use shipping address as billing address" at checkout and enter your own overseas address, then try again.

Will my grandchild's parents have to pay anything on delivery?

No. The gift is sent within Australia, so there are no customs charges or import duties.

Can I send a surprise?

Yes. The parcel goes straight to your grandchild's address, and the gift card tells them it's from you.

I don't know the baby's name yet. What should I do?

Wait until the name is announced so it can be embroidered, or choose a gift set and order a named keepsake later.

Love that travels the distance

You may be thousands of kilometres away, but the right gift can still be part of your grandchild's everyday life. A blanket they nap under or a bunny they carry everywhere, with their name stitched on it and sent by you, keeps you close until the next visit.

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