Gift ideas

[Kevo 69]

I dated my filipina fiance for about a year while we were living in Cyprus...she's in the Philippines now and I'm going there next week for the first time and meeting her family. Any ideas for a gift from the US to give to her family members? Something inexpensive, but thougtful...pretty sure they will be thankful for just about anything as her family is probably below avg as far as income and they live in a very small village in Kalinga (Pasil). Something that won't take up much room in my luggage also.

The only idea I can think of is T-shirts..

I'm so excited!

[pigmonk 16]

im sure your fiancee got little nephews and nieces. Chocoloates would be nice

[VirtualLee 12]

I dated my filipina fiance for about a year while we were living in Cyprus...she's in the Philippines now and I'm going there next week for the first time and meeting her family. Any ideas for a gift from the US to give to her family members? Something inexpensive, but thougtful...pretty sure they will be thankful for just about anything as her family is probably below avg as far as income and they live in a very small village in Kalinga (Pasil). Something that won't take up much room in my luggage also.

The only idea I can think of is T-shirts..

I'm so excited!

- chocolates

- Splash cologne/Perfume

- souvenir shirts

[KrystelKyle 16]

I dated my filipina fiance for about a year while we were living in Cyprus...she's in the Philippines now and I'm going there next week for the first time and meeting her family. Any ideas for a gift from the US to give to her family members? Something inexpensive, but thougtful...pretty sure they will be thankful for just about anything as her family is probably below avg as far as income and they live in a very small village in Kalinga (Pasil). Something that won't take up much room in my luggage also.

The only idea I can think of is T-shirts..

I'm so excited!

Hi Kevo,

So you're gonna be in Phil next week to see and meet your fiancee's fam? Well that is great and Im sure you will definitely enjoy your stay here:) For the gifts will T-shirt is good idea, I will also suggest like lotions or perfume like VS(victoria secret) or BBW(bath&body work) those are really inexpensive but will surely appreciated:) I don't know where is Pasil is but if its a small village those inexpensive gifts or present will do and will be appreciated tho,you can also bring some chocolates and soap,shampoos or conditioner where you can get set of these from your commissary or nearest dept store

Enjoy your stay in PI next week

[Jason and Shifa 4]

i always buy gifts from the Dollar Tree like make up, lotions, body showers, candies etc.. enjoy your vacation

[Kevo 69]

I would bring chocolate, but she wanted me to mail some about a month ago so I shipped about $30 worth of chocolate bars. Not sure about giving toiletries...I'll prob stick with t-shirts, maybe sweatshirts/hoodies.

Should I stay away from anything too American (ie, American flags on them), or do you think they'd like that?

[Pangga&Shine 7]

Kevo,

Awesome I wish I was going with ya. Now let us get to some reality. You can not carry more than 3oz containers of liquids upto 1 QT size in Carry On. Yes you can carry more in Checked Bags at those lovely checked bags fees . Replace Colognes and perfumes with Scented Deorderant Sticks Solids. You can buy Hersey Minis Bags and freeze them (mine lasted 30 Hours) wrapped in Newspaper. Also Multi-Vitamins for Men and Women are gifts that keep giving about 250 days (wink). Coffee is adored over there so you can buy Coffee Bags similar to Tea Bags (Very Popular with Tatay, Nanay, Lola & Lolo). Last but not least my ALL TIME FAV is to buy a Deck of regular UNO Cards. If several relatives neary then 1 Deck of UNO Cards for each Household. You will be MR GAWPO regardless how you look LMAO!!! Hey Kevo have fun and be a repectful Kano .

Mr Pangga

GOD Bless

[GaryKO 49]

I would bring chocolate, but she wanted me to mail some about a month ago so I shipped about $30 worth of chocolate bars. Not sure about giving toiletries...I'll prob stick with t-shirts, maybe sweatshirts/hoodies.

Should I stay away from anything too American (ie, American flags on them), or do you think they'd like that?

Well they can buy any of that stuff in the Philippines, standard gift and they love it is Toblerone Chocolate Bar, never give Hershey's candy or they think your cheap. Get some flowers for Nanay.

[Mogambi 96]

Remember regarding sweatshirts and hoodies, you're going somewhere the average yearly temperature is in the 90s

American branded things, T-Shirts are very popular, except they can buy them there (counterfeit, but they don't care) for a dollar.

Chocolate a big hit. Except they are going to melt everywhere, so be careful.

They will appreciate the gesture whatever you bring. Bring cheap things for the kids. I brought a bunch of cheap glow bracelets, they were a big hit. But mostly you'll win the hearts of the kids with a few pesos for them to go buy some candy.

[ChrisB0707 4]

I been sending things for my wife's family for 5 years now. We always make sure to add chocolate and her father loves it when I send beef jerky. Her sister loves things from Victoria Secret like the lotion.

[Nodozz 15]

Well they can buy any of that stuff in the Philippines, standard gift and they love it is Toblerone Chocolate Bar, never give Hershey's candy or they think your cheap. Get some flowers for Nanay.

Never buy Hershey's candy cause they think you're cheap? Please tell me you're kidding?! I've sent Hersey's kisses, Hershey's assorted chocolates before, and I've never been called cheap! Then again.... I probably wouldn't know it if her family called me cheap anyways. Damn language barrier!!

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Awesome I wish I was going with ya. Now let us get to some reality. You can not carry more than 3oz containers of liquids upto 1 QT size in Carry On. Yes you can carry more in Checked Bags at those lovely checked bags fees . Replace Colognes and perfumes with Scented Deorderant Sticks Solids. You can buy Hersey Minis Bags and freeze them (mine lasted 30 Hours) wrapped in Newspaper. Also Multi-Vitamins for Men and Women are gifts that keep giving about 250 days (wink). Coffee is adored over there so you can buy Coffee Bags similar to Tea Bags (Very Popular with Tatay, Nanay, Lola & Lolo). Last but not least my ALL TIME FAV is to buy a Deck of regular UNO Cards. If several relatives neary then 1 Deck of UNO Cards for each Household. You will be MR GAWPO regardless how you look LMAO!!! Hey Kevo have fun and be a repectful Kano .

Mr Pangga

GOD Bless

What a great idea! I've never even heard of the game.

I found this but I'd imagine it would take a week or two to receive them....decks at less than $4@ shipped ($16/4)

http://dx.com/p/thin-uno-card-game-108-sheet-deck-38164

**Don't forget, if you travel like I do--with just carry on (yes, and I've gone on three month trips with just carry on luggage--cologne or liquids come under the 3-1-1 rule which is 3 ounce maximum fluid, number that fit within a one quart plastic bag, for one person. ***Note: It's actually 3.4 fluid ounces see:

100mL

New 2009 TSA Rules: You can now carry on liquids up to 3.4 oz.

It's about time! A common worldwide package size for toiletries is 100ml, which translates to 3.38 oz (NOT 3.0 oz). Finally, the TSA caught up with the rest of the world.

The official TSA web site with new 2009 3.4 oz liquid carry on rules: http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

The following TSA article clarifies that as of 2009, liquids up to 3.4 oz are allowed to be carried on all USA planes and how the TSA 3.4 oz / 3.0 oz. liquid policy confusion happened:

Edited November 1, 2012 by Juliet and Steve

[Markieboy 104]

American chocolates are always a good idea, IMHO. Relatives, both young and old, always seem to enjoy the chocolate from here. If you've tasted the local Philippine chocolate...you'll know what I mean.

As KrystelKyle mentioned, lotions from Bath & Body Works are a great idea!

One thing the Igorot people (which includes Kalinga) love is their Levi jeans. Levi jeans are considered the crème de la crème among denim. Walmart has their Levi Signature line of jeans. Relaxed, loose and bootcut...all for around $20. For males, especially, you cannot go wrong giving this gift.

Hope this helps you some! Good luck with whatever you decide!

Edited November 1, 2012 by Markieboy

[wilfon 30]

I dated my filipina fiance for about a year while we were living in Cyprus...she's in the Philippines now and I'm going there next week for the first time and meeting her family. Any ideas for a gift from the US to give to her family members? Something inexpensive, but thougtful...pretty sure they will be thankful for just about anything as her family is probably below avg as far as income and they live in a very small village in Kalinga (Pasil). Something that won't take up much room in my luggage also.

The only idea I can think of is T-shirts..

I'm so excited!

Good luck my man, I was also very excited of meeting my fiance's family. They treated me as part of the family immediately. They made me feel so welcome. I am so proud to have them as my family now. I am sure they will appreciate anything that you give them. I brought her family t-shirts, hats, candy, chocolate. They loved everything. They will be so proud that you thought of them. Have fun.

[Kevo 69]

Hershey's cheap?? When I think of American chocolate I think of Hershey's. If I send or bring chocolate it will be Hershey's and Hershey's only. Hershey's is delicious.

Now excuse me while I check to see how my Hershey's stock is doing. Seriously though, Hershey's only for chocolate.