Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Katyara

Okay. I have a really weird question. What presents can I bring to my family and friends from America? I am going back home to Russia in about 3 months and I need some advice. My friends are gonna kill me if I don't bring them something, so will my family. I seriously have no idea of what to bring. I wanna buy something that they can use, not a stupid souvenier, that's gonna be left out on some shelf in their house. Could you please give me an advice???

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

I'm not Russian, but I'm in Moscow now and a couple of things I'm craving for are Oreo biscuits and peanut butter!

That's right, foodstuffs should be something you might consider. Did you discover something there that you liked to eat?

Maybe some small home appliances or something for the kitchen?

Cowboy boots? Smile

No seriously, I love them! And there're not many dealers here, especially for the ladies.

Maybe come cosmestics for the ladies, perfumes, the brands which you may not find in Russian.

And for the guys maybe something for remontiki. Smile

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

Big fat fluffy towels. The whole set with wash cloths and hand towels and big bathtowels and bathsheet. They're terribly expensive here, a real luxury. Russian made towels are of poor quality , scrawny, and made from godknowswhat kind of fiber. I wish I had brought more towels with me when I moved here. I had no idea how expensive it would be to replace them.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Great idea!

I think bed linens are also a good idea. The quality of those widely-available Russian-made bed linens are horrid--too thin and loosely woven.

Keoki · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:42 pm Post subject:

Oreo cookies and peanut butter can both be found in Moscow, if not in the Far East. Since Russians tend to like things that go with tea, I find that Reese's peanut butter cups are usually well-received.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Ok, peanut butter still can be found, but it's expensive.

But Oreo cookies? Have yet to see them. Please, tell me where i can find them in Moscow! I must be looking in the wrong places. I've been clearing out stocks of chocolate cookies with vanilla filling (which is somewhat like the real thing.) Today I got worried when I bought the last box of such cookies from the supermarket...

As for the peanut butter, I would dip the Oreos in them an wash them down with a glass of milk... yummy!

Katyara · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject:

Thanx guys, I will consider it/

Jutrzenkapolska · VIP Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 534

What about clothes? Gap, Banana Republic and the designer brands are less expensive over here.

And brand name sneakers are cheaper in the USA than anywhere else in the world, except for South Korea that is,hehehe,straight from the source.

moscowmadness · Frequent Guest Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

i suggest something produced locally or representative of your home state:
- coffee table books with beautiful photos
- seashells, maples syrup, etc. (depending on where you're from)
- health and beauty products
- flavored teas / coffees

patrick_b · Frequent Guest Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 44

I agree with the "big fluffy towels" suggestion. That is a good one, and easy to pack.

Keoki · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:20 pm Post subject:

Katyara · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:54 pm Post subject:

Sweets and candy and cookies with milk is yummy... Just try it.

cyndy22 · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:30 am Post subject:

I tend to agree with Moscowmadness. Something local from the state you are in and/or visited is more meaningful. I go for sentiment over practicality but that is me!

Keoki · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 10:34 am Post subject:

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

It could be an american thing... nowadays i've started to drink tea with the cookies rather than milk and peanut butter .

So, there're no real Oreo cookies for sale in Moscow?? Crying or Very sad