Birthday gift, surprise delivery, London!

July 13, 2023 12:14 PM

An American pal will be staying at a London hotel. I want to have a birthday gift delivered on Saturday, July 15. This pal is not widely traveled. What could I have delivered, on time, that would be a delight and not a burden as a birthday gift? How can I get it delivered? It is a milestone birthday; my budget is up to $150 but less than that is totally welcome.
posted by Bella Donna to Shopping (11 answers total)

Do you know what hotel they are staying at? This is the kind of thing that would probably be a very fun task for a good concierge. They would know items and experience available locally.
posted by leastlikelycowgirl at 12:18 PM on July 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Alas, my buddy is staying somewhere nice enough that I can have something delivered but not nice enough for a concierge service. Will bow out now. Great idea, otherwise!
posted by Bella Donna at 12:38 PM on July 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I really think we need more information. Without k owing anything about your friend, or what kinds of items you’d want delivered, it’s really hard to say what would be a hit birthday gift. Would they want food, can they transport the gift back with them to the states? Does it need to be a physical gift?
posted by Champagne Supernova at 12:48 PM on July 13, 2023

Response by poster: 1. Physical gift that can be easily packed is fine.
2. Chocolates, cookies, etc. are fine.
3. London is the first stop of a three-week, multiple-stop tour by train of Europe, so lightweight is probably better than heavy.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:58 PM on July 13, 2023

Okay, so this is not necessary a physical gifts but some good friends of mine have a tradition when they travel where they go to a cocktail bar have drinks and ask the bartenders what their favorite cocktail place in that town is, then they go there the next day. Rinse and repeat. Could easily be applied to bakeries (favorite cake, pastry, etc.), or chocolate/sweet shops, coffeehouses, etc. Would your friend appreciate a quest? You could send them some money (Venmo, PayPal, etc) and send them on a similar mission if they are game for that kind of thing. Maybe do some googling/Yelp to find the first day’s destination (like “go here, buy yourself something delicious, my treat, ask the baker/barista/bartender/whoever where their favorite treats are and go there on a subsequent day”).
posted by leastlikelycowgirl at 1:51 PM on July 13, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Champagne Birthday Gift Box from Fortnum's, or just the champagne truffles.

If you could bear not sending a physical gift, Theatre Tokens can be sent as egifts. They can be used in all the West End theatres.
posted by boudicca at 1:56 PM on July 13, 2023 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Biscuiteers hand-iced biscuits are delicious, exquisite, priced accordingly, and available for next-day delivery, including at weekends, if you order by 4pm (UK time). Me, I like this biscuit bouquet, but there are lots of other designs.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 2:24 PM on July 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I think you are cutting it a bit fine for delivery on 15th, an order placed now will go into the post on the 14th and then you have 1 day. Most next day services claim 95% will be delivered on time but the reality is nearer 80%, Royal Mail managed 81% last year.

A better option might be to find a shop really close to their hotel (on street view) and order something over the phone which they can then collect.
posted by Lanark at 2:46 PM on July 13, 2023

Best answer: I love the fortnum’s hamper idea, I would be so tickled to receive something like that on a birthday abroad, fancy and celebratory (and not something I would have to pack and carry for the rest of the trip)! It looks like they do same day delivery through this service , although I don’t see that specific hamper.

I would also email the front desk and just ask them to wish your friend happy birthday- even though they don’t have a concierge, they can still make them feel special!
posted by tinymojo at 3:04 PM on July 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: In the end, I chose a selection of edibles from Fortum's including this musical cookie tin, which I think my pal will enjoy. Supposedly the package will be delivered to the hotel tomorrow. Thank you all for the suggestions!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:55 AM on July 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

I hope it went well -- for future reference: a parcel delivered "care of" a post office can be collected later, and royalmail.com should keep a list of post offices near your gift recipient.
posted by k3ninho at 4:04 PM on July 15, 2023