Bringing gifts to Russia.... suggestions??

[DestinationUSA 0]

Okay.. I have a question regarding gift ideas to bring to Russia. I will be meeting my fiancee's teen-age daughter, parents, and older sister in person for the first time in December. I would like to present them with a few gifts of kindness. Any suggestions on what would be nice gifts to give them?

[Dakine 26]

Okay.. I have a question regarding gift ideas to bring to Russia. I will be meeting my fiancee's teen-age daughter, parents, and older sister in person for the first time in December. I would like to present them with a few gifts of kindness. Any suggestions on what would be nice gifts to give them?

CHOCOLATE is the universal gift!

Oops Maybe not in Germany!

[Jason-Sasha 1]

A photo album filled with photos of you and your family maybe? Whiskey? Historical items from your hometown like books, calendars, magazines? you could make a video documentary of your life at home with your friends and family, edit it together in a nice package.... Music maybe? As long as its not food items, almost anything is good idea.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

You didn't mention your budget? Here's my suggestions.

For Parents: Kentucky Whiskey or Mexican Tequila (Something top shelf), Leather slippers

For Teenage Daughter: A cool hoodie with American slogan from a trendy store, iPod Nano

For Older Sister: Godiva chocolates and a California Red wine.

[ramzis51 0]

Okay.. I have a question regarding gift ideas to bring to Russia. I will be meeting my fiancee's teen-age daughter, parents, and older sister in person for the first time in December. I would like to present them with a few gifts of kindness. Any suggestions on what would be nice gifts to give them?

It definitely would NOT be chocolate because Russian chocolate is the best in the world. when I travel internationally I have found girls and women love to get body lotions, body wash, fingernail polish, lipstick, etc. They also appreciate new towels, like bath and face cloths, etc. The towels in Russia are very thin and useless.

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - to be fair, despite my love of hershey kisses mini cookies and reeses, US chocolate isn't much to write home about

I think cool t-shirt/hoodie is a good idea for the teenage daughter though. Contrary to Jason/Sasha's opinion (ooooh!!) I think bringing food might be a good idea if you can find something you would class as traditional from your area - it doesn't have to be the only thing you bring but I know when my OH came to the UK from California for the first time we got him trying everything we could think of that was British. Likewise when I went to the US I tried things we don't get here like corndogs (yum!), cornbread (now that's an idea - you can pick up the packs in the grocery store for next to nothing!), ranch dressing etc

Now I'm all hungry... and I'm on a diet for my wedding!! No fair!

*runs off to dream of corndogs*

[Keisha 0]

Traditional items for parents - calendars, souvenirs, alcohol with some story/booklet "This wine is from blah...and they have old traditions there...blah-blah" A small nice carpet/rug. Towels. Soft bathrobes. A big book with big photos of USA natural wonders. Guinness records book. Just writing down what comes to my mind.

The girls: cool brand-name clothes (from an outlet store) - sports clothes, jackets, tops, T-shirts, blouses, sport shoes, pretty flip-flops. They would be happy! They know and respect Nike , Reebok there. Buying clothes and shoes in Russia sucks, it's either cheap low quality Chinese items pretending "famous brand names" , or it is good quality and fairly expensive. That's what I like about clothes here in North America - there is "golden middle" and brand names are affordable (I am Russian myself)

A purse. Women from 0 to 100 y.o. love purses. Cosmetics in all shapes and forms.

Jewelry - silver or whatever, sorry I don't know your budget.

Chocolate never hurts:)) especially in a nice souvenir box. Souvenir tea.

A nice picture or a photo of something American in a frame - like Manhattan skyline.

Depends as well if they live in a big city or in the country. In the country people are pretty easy about anything, in Moscow or St Petersburg they can be more selective with their taste.

Have a great trip!