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konnavei
Just Starting
Joined: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject: Gift for Mother-In Law |
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I'm going to Moscow to meet my wife's mother for first time.
What gift should I bring for her?
Also, is there anything particularly difficult to get in Russia that I could bring with me from America? I live in New York City, and as I understand, in Moscow, you can have everything you want.
I want to bring something special for them that will make her happy.
Do Russians like any kind of gifts from America? Books? or some popular American clothing like Gap Jeans, or Victoria Secrets? Raulph Lauren or Polo?
Movies, DVD's, etc. |
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Filimon
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Gift for Mother-In Law |
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| konnavei wrote: | I'm going to Moscow to meet my wife's mother for first time.
What gift should I bring for her?
Also, is there anything particularly difficult to get in Russia that I could bring with me from America? I live in New York City, and as I understand, in Moscow, you can have everything you want.
I want to bring something special for them that will make her happy.
Do Russians like any kind of gifts from America? Books? or some popular American clothing like Gap Jeans, or Victoria Secrets? Raulph Lauren or Polo?
Movies, DVD's, etc. |
Fo God's sake don't buy her clothes! You will never make it out of Russia alive! 
First, ask your wife what her mother likes or dislikes. Second, don't buy anything too expensive or too cheap. Third, think whether you want to buy it for her personally or for the family in whole.
I brought my mum in law a good set of Swiss kitchen knives cos' hers were all ancient and assorted. We did buy her a tracksuit once but only at her request and knowing her size. In fact my wife bought it.
I repeat again - ask your wife
And good luck! |
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Intourist
Talk Show Host
Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 245
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:35 am Post subject: |
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Filimon ! I'm shocked ! Is your wife Russian or English ? You're never supposed to give knives as a gift in Russia. Bad luck or something. ! Egads, get ye backs to Moscow, lad, you're de-russifying yourself !
As to the original question, I agree with Filmon. Don't do clothes. Do that on another trip when you can buy what she needs and she can place an 'order' with you, tell you sizes, colors what she needs, etc. For the most part, Ralph Lauren, Gap, whatever, are first of all unrecognized here as brands (largely), and two, wouldn't be considered really fashionable anyway next to all the Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gabana and Versaci. So, just discard that idea.
I wouldn't bother with the 'something typically American' idea either. I mean, heck, she's family, chances are she'll be seeing and getting a lot of American things over the years to come, no ? I mean, her son-in-law's American.
I say, go traditional chivalrous and conservative. Definitely have flowers in hand. Like Roses.
Then, I'd get her something that's expensive anywhere and that women love anywhere. Like Chanel perfume. And a box of chocolates.
Really, that'll win her over. Russian Tyoshas (mother in laws) are, in my opinion, low maintenance and easy to please. Don't go overboard; she probably won't get it. Focus on the presentation and behavior and your nice conservative stand-by gifts will go over great. She'll have plenty of time for specific requests as you travel back and forth. |
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Filimon
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Intourist, I took a gift to my mother-in-law in Moscow, now how would one know where my wife is from? 
As for knives - the "bad luck" bit only refers to hunters knives and pen- knives or any knife to be used as a weapon. I brought her 7 kitchen knives in a wooden bloc, that's cutlery, not a weapon. |
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Intourist
Talk Show Host
Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 245
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Filimon wrote: | | Intourist, I took a gift to my mother-in-law in Moscow, now how would one know where my wife is from? |
Yes, good point !
| Filimon wrote: | | As for knives - the "bad luck" bit only refers to hunters knives and pen- knives or any knife to be used as a weapon. I brought her 7 kitchen knives in a wooden bloc, that's cutlery, not a weapon. |
Given that, by my calculations, half of all Russian murders are done after drinking two bottles of vodka in the kitchen, I'd argue that your cutlery could be a very deadly weapon indeed ! |
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Filimon
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Intourist wrote: | | Filimon wrote: | | Intourist, I took a gift to my mother-in-law in Moscow, now how would one know where my wife is from? |
Yes, good point !
| Filimon wrote: | | As for knives - the "bad luck" bit only refers to hunters knives and pen- knives or any knife to be used as a weapon. I brought her 7 kitchen knives in a wooden bloc, that's cutlery, not a weapon. |
Given that, by my calculations, half of all Russian murders are done after drinking two bottles of vodka in the kitchen, I'd argue that your cutlery could be a very deadly weapon indeed ! |
True, but "a knife can't be gift" is one those "man" things, honour-related. As in "never give away you weapon, your horse and your woman". I think kitchen knives don't come into this category. Especially the bread knife:) |
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konnavei
Just Starting
Joined: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the ideas, for her Mom I went with big fluffy cotton bath towel sets, boxes of chocolates, a couple of kitchen gadgets, and perfume and flowers. She is a real sweetheart..so I guess I'm pretty lucky about that. |
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Mark
Frequent Guest
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Flowers are mother in laws best friend.  |
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kiwiguy_os
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 26 Dec 2004
Posts: 117
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:29 am Post subject: |
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Sending her daughter smiling, laughing and in love usually is the best present for a mother-in-law/mother-in-law-to-be if you ask me
However if you dont wanted to come empty handed one great thing that does come to mind is a photo album. Buy a photo album and fill it with a whole load of shots of you and your missus. It makes a great conversational piece, it has a personal touch to it and it allows your mother-in-law to show all her friends photos of you and her daughter in her new country.  |
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