Hi Suze,
Welcome to the forum. When Filipinos send stuff home they usually do it in bulk by means of what is known as a balikbayan box. This is something you would tend to fill up over a period of time with lots of diferent thing. It doesn't need to cost a lot to be appreciated, many people send second hand clothes, shoes, trainers, handbags etc. Well known brand name stuff from the west is especially prized over there.
The other things that people usually send are things like second hand mobile phones and other small electronic devices for the kids. Some canned food such as corned beef and things like tea and coffee is also a good idea as is perfumes ect, if you look around the house you might be surprised how many smellies you have recieved as Christmas or Birthday prezzies that you've never even opened.
The only 2 downsides of the balikbayan box is the cost, a jumbo box will cost you about £110 to send and the time it takes to get there, about 2 months or so, but you need to look at the balikbayan box as a long term project, maybe just once or twice a year.
I'm sure some of the Filipina's on here will think of other stuff you might send that I haven't thought of as well.
Cheers,
Iain.
