[YouMeAndThree]

In-laws want to pay regular amounts to cover birthdays and christmas over the year. What would be the best way to go about this? We have a sterling account with our NZ bank and we also have our UK bank account, but I would prefer that they cover the cost of exchange and charges tbh.

Although not holding out much hope of anything yet as they've already missed DD3's 2nd birthday and DD1's 6th birthday without even a phone call or email...............but that's a whole other story :mad:

Lx

[Georgebulldog]

Can't help I'm afraid but can sympathise with lack of cards/pressies from rellies, your not the only one & I think it takes a while to get used to, not looking forward to counting who can be bothered at Christmas :wah.

Sterling account sounds good who is that with & do all banks offer it?

[vixxann]

do you have a UK nationwide account by any chance??

They offer FREE debit card transactions abroad - either purchases or ATM withdrawals.

I have told my parents, and anyone else that wants to send money over to us, to pay into our UK nationwide account (free) and we can draw the dollars in NZ (free). Plus nationwide are usually pretty good with their exchange rates too. :)

[jubjub]

We do the same as Vixann with out nationwide a/c.

We are on our 4th xmas here and we have only really lost one relly with regards to pressies, but that suits us fine as it costs us double to reciprocate for them anyway! Its just grans that send AJ stuff, and thats fine with us. We also get the odd thing from a friend for him, which is a lovely surprise :)

[YouMeAndThree]

do you have a UK nationwide account by any chance?

Unfortunately, no. Would have been a good option.

Any other ideas?

Lx