Gift Ideas (For family)

[LnS 1]

I'm traveling to Russia in a little over 2 weeks and I'm trying to decide what gifts I should take. I'll be buying for my wife's mother and her brother. Her brother is 27.

My wife suggested something that is purely American, to give them a piece of America. Well, I'm drawing a blank here. Suggestions please!

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I'm traveling to Russia in a little over 2 weeks and I'm trying to decide what gifts I should take. I'll be buying for my wife's mother and her brother. Her brother is 27.

My wife suggested something that is purely American, to give them a piece of America. Well, I'm drawing a blank here. Suggestions please!

For the Wife, American Express of course, for the Mother In Law I'm thinking a Cadillac Escalade, black with 26" chrome wheels (spinners may be a bit over the top but) and for the Brother a Dodge Viper in red.

Edited October 22, 2012 by Gowon

[LnS 1]

For the Wife, American Express of course, for the Mother In Law I'm thinking a Cadillac Escalade, black with 26" chrome wheels (spinners may be a bit over the top but) and for the Brother a Dodge Viper in red.

I thank you kindly for your practical and useful suggestions

[amykathleen2005 441]

American candy?

[LnS 1]

American candy?

Good idea. But aren't most american candies sold all throughout the world? When I was in Ukraine I bought a bunch of my favorite American candy at the neighborhood corner store

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I'm traveling to Russia in a little over 2 weeks and I'm trying to decide what gifts I should take. I'll be buying for my wife's mother and her brother. Her brother is 27.

My wife suggested something that is purely American, to give them a piece of America. Well, I'm drawing a blank here. Suggestions please!

Maple syrup. It's GOLD over there. They don't have maple syrup but their pancakes (bleme's) are better than ours imo and when you combine the two it's heaven in the mouth. Last time I went over there I took nearly a dozen bottles with me seeing how they went ape over it the first two times. They use it sparingly and love it big time. Another biggy is a "flask" with an American Eagle, bear or moose engraved on it and they use that for their booze like in vodka. I got a few of them for a decent price at Sportsmans Warehouse and you can also find them on amazon, Cabela's, etc... I took a roll of Alaska quarters with me when they just came out and they went ape over those also. It has a bear on it with the state of Alaska logo and they don't have coin over there. Everything is paper money with them. One last thing. I got perfume sets that I had gift wrapped here and took over. Like a White Diamonds gift set for her mom that had the perfume, the spray, and some other ####### and it came in a box. Her mom went ape over that one also. When I go over there I bring a suitcase loaded with nothing but gifts and a duffel bag full of my clothes along with a carry on (backpack). After I hand out all the gifts I take the duffle bag back with me (empty) inside the suitcase.

Don't forget shot glasses either. Something with your state or US ####### on it. They dig those and they use them for taking shots of course which they all pretty much do over there. Those go over big also. But first choice is the maple syrup.

Edited October 22, 2012 by Bad_Daddy

[LnS 1]

Maple syrup. It's GOLD over there. They don't have maple syrup but their pancakes (bleme's) are better than ours imo and when you combine the two it's heaven in the mouth. Last time I went over there I took nearly a dozen bottles with me seeing how they went ape over it the first two times. They use it sparingly and love it big time. Another biggy is a "flask" with an American Eagle, bear or moose engraved on it and they use that for their booze like in vodka. I got a few of them for a decent price at Sportsmans Warehouse and you can also find them on amazon, Cabela's, etc... I took a roll of Alaska quarters with me when they just came out and they went ape over those also. It has a bear on it with the state of Alaska logo and they don't have coin over there. Everything is paper money with them. One last thing. I got perfume sets that I had gift wrapped here and took over. Like a White Diamonds gift set for her mom that had the perfume, the spray, and some other ####### and it came in a box. Her mom went ape over that one also. When I go over there I bring a suitcase loaded with nothing but gifts and a duffel bag full of my clothes along with a carry on (backpack). After I hand out all the gifts I take the duffle bag back with me (empty) inside the suitcase.

Don't forget shot glasses either. Something with your state or US ####### on it. They dig those and they use them for taking shots of course which they all pretty much do over there. Those go over big also. But first choice is the maple syrup.

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.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Vermont Maple Syrup is always well received...no kidding, they love it and they do not have it there. Great for coffeea and tea.

High tech long underwear, the good stuff. They need it and it is incredibly expensive there, if they can get it at all. We gave it to friends and family and they LOVE it come winter.

Anything electronic they need is MUCH cheaper here.

[southernman 29]

Ice trays. They seem to be in short supply in that part of the world They are right about maple syrup though. I am going to Belarus is a couple weeks and already had that request. Also parmesan cheese in a favorite.

[baron555 934]

Ice trays. They seem to be in short supply in that part of the world They are right about maple syrup though. I am going to Belarus is a couple weeks and already had that request. Also parmesan cheese in a favorite.

220 volt electric can opener

sport team jerseys

taco seasoning

syrup (for sure)

pancake mix

[san diego 407]

zippo lighter

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Ice trays. They seem to be in short supply in that part of the world They are right about maple syrup though. I am going to Belarus is a couple weeks and already had that request. Also parmesan cheese in a favorite.

Ice trays? I had lots of them...Alla uses them to plant seeds in to start her annual flowers every year!

I am telling you...maple syrup is a HIT, I cannot bring enough of that stuff and it is getting expensive! $53 per gallon at the SOURCE in Vermont! My MIL loves it. Do not try to pass off the artificial stuff, REAL maple syrup is the thing!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

And yes, electric can openers seem in short supply. I am not sure why, it is not like it is such a hi-tech device, maybe because there is little market for them. They do not eat as much canned goods as Americans and they do not spend money on electric devices when the hand crank one works well and is cheap. But, yes, I recall Alla being fascinated with ours and opening a bunch of cans just to play with it! How soon we forget! he also made the comment(and still does) "A machine for everything!"

[Reyan 56]

My wife ended up bringing a large bottle of maple syrup from Costco. It's the real deal, but from canada. My brother in law uses it sparingly. What I found interesting was my sister in law from Belarus bugs my wife about getting stuff from Victoria's Secret, since they don't have a store there. When I go visit, I always bring Frango chocolates, japanese green tea, and jelly bellys (it's strange, but they like it).

[LnS 1]

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.