Gift Ideas (For family)

[eekee 182]

Dang it looks like maple syrup is the way to go for sure. Does anyone know if it's possible to take maple syrup on a carry on bag? I won't be taking a checked back since I'll just be there a few days.

No.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Awesome ideas. I'm especially liking the flask and shot glasses for her brother. The maple syrup sounds good too, except I'll be traveling with only my carry-on since I won't be able to spend more than a few days there due to work. I don't think they'll allow the maple syrup on my carry-on luggage. Either way, great ideas here.

My wife said her mother is allergic to most perfume, unfortunately. So I'm open to more ideas on the gift for the mother.

Cannot take syrup in carry on and it is heavy, almost 10 lbs for 1 gallon, so it can make you overweight fast.

My MIL loves it for her coffee, so does Alla. We keep a jug here all the time. They do use it very sparingly on pancakes or French Toast (which Alla loves and says is about the only good thing I cook )

Our son, Sergey, bought one of those baseball style hats with the LED lights built in when he was in a 4 boy dorm at MIPT. He was going to use it for reading so he did not disturb his room mates. The lights are built into the brim of the cap. He got his at Lowe's Home Center but you can get them in hunting and fishing stores also. His room mates thought it was the coolest thing on earth and on his next visit, Sergey bought several more to hand out as gifts. It is considered a fairly practical example of American extravagance and general "stupid American stuff" but they love it.

Alla has brought "Vermont" sweatshirts to friends, with moose, bear, whatever on them and they are always a hit. I second the motion on sports gear...pro sports hats or jerseys and Sergey brought college sweatshirts as gifts and people like those. Take some from your local schools. We took University of Vermont and St. Micheals College sweatshirts.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Awesome ideas. I'm especially liking the flask and shot glasses for her brother. The maple syrup sounds good too, except I'll be traveling with only my carry-on since I won't be able to spend more than a few days there due to work. I don't think they'll allow the maple syrup on my carry-on luggage. Either way, great ideas here.

My wife said her mother is allergic to most perfume, unfortunately. So I'm open to more ideas on the gift for the mother.

Does she cook? Perhaps some kitchen utensls. Alla bought her Mom a very good quality set of kitchen knives with wood block, you know the type. They were not cheap, so maybe it is beyond the introductory type gift. Anyway, her mom takes them to be sharpened at the local knife-sharpening-kiosk and the guy there always raves over her knives...how good they are, where did you get these? How he can tell the quality of cook by the quality of her knives...yada, yada and Momma always feels herself the Ukrainian Princess when he lauds over her knives. I think she sharpens them a little more than needed.

But there could be other stuff...some things Alla was fascinated with in my kitchen

Electric can opener, "jar wrench" for opening jars, glass containers with snap on lids (they do not like plastic or tupperware)

Clothes are very cheap here compared to there but unless you know what they like and what sizes, it is difficult to choose. Alla always brings lots of clothes for gifts, but she knows these people very well and what they like...so be careful. Warm gloves (ladies love leather gloves with warm liners)and long underwear, hi tech, very thin and warm are greatly appreciated in January.

[Neonred 3,553]

Does she cook? Perhaps some kitchen utensls. Alla bought her Mom a very good quality set of kitchen knives with wood block, you know the type. They were not cheap, so maybe it is beyond the introductory type gift. Anyway, her mom takes them to be sharpened at the local knife-sharpening-kiosk and the guy there always raves over her knives...how good they are, where did you get these? How he can tell the quality of cook by the quality of her knives...yada, yada and .

I don't see the kitchen knives making it on the plane in the carry on either, but it would be interesting watching TSA handle that one.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

I don't see the kitchen knives making it on the plane in the carry on either, but it would be interesting watching TSA handle that one.

You have to be careful giving knives as gifts in Europe if the person you are giving to is very superstitious. It can be considered very bad luck. One way to get round it is if they give you a coin back as soon as they receive the knives - then it's like they bought it, which apparently stops the bad luck.

[AmyWrites 593]

I vote for good clothes, since good clothes are so expensive there, and food items... not candies, you can buy American candies in Russia, but interesting sauces, and that maple syrup idea is amazing.

[Abell 11]

some fancy t-shirts, made in america if you could find any don't bring made in china shirts since they can buy it over there

Edited October 24, 2012 by Abell

[Wokka 0]

I just saw Canadian Maple Syrup in a Сильпо (Large chain of grocery stores) here yesterday...

[Martyshk 137]

Bottle of "Knob Creek" would work well for the guy.

[Karl and Olga 3]

I just saw Canadian Maple Syrup in a Сильпо (Large chain of grocery stores) here yesterday... - PERFECT ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :yes:

My beloved husband brought T-shirts with American Navy's symbols, both my father and brother love them. My mom got a scarf which she loves. By the way the most important for them was attention which my husband showed with those presents, not the presents by themselves.

[Ron-Tanya 23]

Dang it looks like maple syrup is the way to go for sure. Does anyone know if it's possible to take maple syrup on a carry on bag? I won't be taking a checked back since I'll just be there a few days.

No you will not be able to carry any liquid in your carry on. Check a small bag with gifts it will be worth the wait. Also they do sell real small bottles of maple syrup in plastic bottles about 3 ounces each and they are handy as gifts. I bought my small bottles at Target. Good luck

[TBoneTX 45,090]

Probably too late for this trip, but in the future, consider giving the gift that keeps on giving: a pregnant rabbit.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

The only American candy I couldn't find in Russia was Reese's. All the other, major brands were widely available. As far as I know it's hard (if not impossible) to find any peanut butter at all in Russia (maybe it's possible in Moscow or St. Petersburg, I'm not sure). My husband had never tried it when I brought a jar of it to him last Summer. He loved it! So maybe next time take a jar or two of peanut butter and some Reese's for the family to try.

-Amy

[P A U L 14]

LOL WHY MAPLE SYRUP!

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

LOL WHY MAPLE SYRUP!

I can't speak for the Russians, but Belarusians go nuts for it.