Gifts for hostess?

nikikali · May 8th, 2008, 07:00

I am not sure if this is the correct place to ask. I am visiting India soon and I have a cousin who has done a lot to help me plan this trip. I would love some suggestions for gifts for her.

I have never met her nor do I know much about her. She is in her early 30's and has 2 young children. She lives in Delhi. I believe she is middle-class.

Is there something coveted from the US I could bring? Something trendy or popular she might like? I plan to bring the kids chocolates and "I -heart- SF" t-shirts, but I can't think of things for her.

zoltan · May 8th, 2008, 09:30

Perfumes are always a good thing - or perfumed /luxury soaps.

But I am also aware that scented items can sometimes be very much a personal choice.

You could always purchase a nice sari for her when you arrive in Delhi.

Cheers
Zoltan

vandy · May 8th, 2008, 09:40

Maybe contact her and see if there's anything she
needs.

PeakXV · May 8th, 2008, 09:51

Regional food from where you live is always a winner. Maple syrup products from here in the North East is one example.

Indian kids like dynamic things (ex: kites, rolling a tire with a stick) .. so frisbees are cheap, easy to pack & sure to bring miles of smiles!!!!!!

Inua · May 8th, 2008, 12:00

I've often just walked into Ikea and bought tons of stuff which go down very well with kids and aduts alike. While you might think that Ikea is cheap, it scores high on points here for being contemporary in design, of good quality compared to what is locally available (for the same price) and to your advantage it comes flat packed or packed in some form or fashion easy for transport.

Also anything from Ikea has snob value for the middle class because its simply not available here. Make sure they are from the middle class because the upper class will accept nothing less than Casa Armani

snonymous · May 8th, 2008, 12:03

I agree. Buy her a nice saree or salwar suit in India, or ask her what she would like in particular, maybe some branded American skin care products or cosmetics - ask her choice of shades or fragrances, or anything else?

Everything is available in India of course but its always nice to get a present, and kids will always appreciate chocolates and toys ! You can also take her and her family out for a nice meal somewhere in Delhi.

When my sister comes here from the US, I ask of all things for natural Greek style feta cheese with herbs, and Prestige brand kohl eye pencils!

snonymous · May 8th, 2008, 12:05

Almonds are always appreciated as a gift in India, I believe you get bulk packings quite cheap in the US. Im sure your cousin would love that.

nayan · May 8th, 2008, 12:06

The gifts you have choosen for the children are just perfect. I (like zoltan) suggest perfume for the lady. take a good/wellknown brand like tommy hilfinger/estee lauder or similar.

kammaldeep · May 8th, 2008, 20:39

may track's can also work ....

wonderwomanusa · May 9th, 2008, 12:17

T-shirts from Chinatown, or Noe Valley are fun, too. And if you're going straight to Delhi, some Acme bread and a box of See's candy would both go over well. or one of those gorgeous packets of Scharffenberger chocolate that I saw at the Ferry Bldg the other night.

brishti · May 9th, 2008, 13:14

perfume
perfume
umm perfume?

another item which just crossed my mind is: carrybag... something to put your shopping into - which may/not double up as a handbag too?

:brishti

dhans · May 9th, 2008, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inua

I've often just walked into Ikea and bought tons of stuff which go down very well with kids and aduts alike. While you might think that Ikea is cheap, it scores high on points here for being contemporary in design, of good quality compared to what is locally available (for the same price) and to your advantage it comes flat packed or packed in some form or fashion easy for transport.

Also anything from Ikea has snob value for the middle class because its simply not available here. Make sure they are from the middle class because the upper class will accept nothing less than Casa Armani

Nice idea, especially as half of the products at IKEA are marked "made in India"

.

Hans

nikikali · May 9th, 2008, 22:56

Thank you all sooo much. Especially wonderwomanusa, local suggestions are great! I had also thought of something like a gift card to Lush (lush.com). They seem appropriately fancy and available for delivery in India.

wonderwomanusa · May 10th, 2008, 04:45

Another thing I thought of last night: go to the Civic Center Farmers' Market and get a couple of pounds of fresh-raosted almonds and various dried fruits. [There's a big difference between the dried apricots we get here, and those I found in Delhi.] And Dried peaches and nectarines and prunes are exotic fruits in India. Good dried cherries at the Alemany Market, and those wonderful Medjool dates from Southern CA -- but not much selection now, as the new crop comes out in September/October.

Of course, if you're going this week,you could take asparagus and artichokes!

nikikali · May 10th, 2008, 23:05

Thanks again. I think the dried fruit and nuts would be better than chocolate (that may melt).

May 8th, 2008, 07:00	#1
nikikali Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 16	Gifts for hostess? I am not sure if this is the correct place to ask. I am visiting India soon and I have a cousin who has done a lot to help me plan this trip. I would love some suggestions for gifts for her. I have never met her nor do I know much about her. She is in her early 30's and has 2 young children. She lives in Delhi. I believe she is middle-class. Is there something coveted from the US I could bring? Something trendy or popular she might like? I plan to bring the kids chocolates and "I -heart- SF" t-shirts, but I can't think of things for her.

May 8th, 2008, 09:30	#2
zoltan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 435	Perfumes are always a good thing - or perfumed /luxury soaps. But I am also aware that scented items can sometimes be very much a personal choice. You could always purchase a nice sari for her when you arrive in Delhi. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

May 8th, 2008, 09:51	#4
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,723	Regional food from where you live is always a winner. Maple syrup products from here in the North East is one example. Indian kids like dynamic things (ex: kites, rolling a tire with a stick) .. so frisbees are cheap, easy to pack & sure to bring miles of smiles!!!!!! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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May 8th, 2008, 09:40	#3
vandy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 485	Maybe contact her and see if there's anything she needs.

May 8th, 2008, 12:00	#5
Inua Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 79	I've often just walked into Ikea and bought tons of stuff which go down very well with kids and aduts alike. While you might think that Ikea is cheap, it scores high on points here for being contemporary in design, of good quality compared to what is locally available (for the same price) and to your advantage it comes flat packed or packed in some form or fashion easy for transport. Also anything from Ikea has snob value for the middle class because its simply not available here. Make sure they are from the middle class because the upper class will accept nothing less than Casa Armani

May 8th, 2008, 12:03	#6
snonymous Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 464	I agree. Buy her a nice saree or salwar suit in India, or ask her what she would like in particular, maybe some branded American skin care products or cosmetics - ask her choice of shades or fragrances, or anything else? Everything is available in India of course but its always nice to get a present, and kids will always appreciate chocolates and toys ! You can also take her and her family out for a nice meal somewhere in Delhi. When my sister comes here from the US, I ask of all things for natural Greek style feta cheese with herbs, and Prestige brand kohl eye pencils!

May 8th, 2008, 12:05	#7
snonymous Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 464	Almonds are always appreciated as a gift in India, I believe you get bulk packings quite cheap in the US. Im sure your cousin would love that.

May 8th, 2008, 12:06	#8
nayan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad Posts: 495	The gifts you have choosen for the children are just perfect. I (like zoltan) suggest perfume for the lady. take a good/wellknown brand like tommy hilfinger/estee lauder or similar.

May 8th, 2008, 20:39	#9
kammaldeep The N@me is En0ugh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi >> Pune Posts: 48	may track's can also work ....

May 9th, 2008, 12:17	#10
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,861	T-shirts from Chinatown, or Noe Valley are fun, too. And if you're going straight to Delhi, some Acme bread and a box of See's candy would both go over well. or one of those gorgeous packets of Scharffenberger chocolate that I saw at the Ferry Bldg the other night.

May 9th, 2008, 13:14	#11
brishti Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 1,064	perfume perfume umm perfume? another item which just crossed my mind is: carrybag... something to put your shopping into - which may/not double up as a handbag too? :brishti

May 9th, 2008, 22:56	#13
nikikali Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 16	Thank you all sooo much. Especially wonderwomanusa, local suggestions are great! I had also thought of something like a gift card to Lush (lush.com). They seem appropriately fancy and available for delivery in India.

May 10th, 2008, 04:45	#14
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,861	Another thing I thought of last night: go to the Civic Center Farmers' Market and get a couple of pounds of fresh-raosted almonds and various dried fruits. [There's a big difference between the dried apricots we get here, and those I found in Delhi.] And Dried peaches and nectarines and prunes are exotic fruits in India. Good dried cherries at the Alemany Market, and those wonderful Medjool dates from Southern CA -- but not much selection now, as the new crop comes out in September/October. Of course, if you're going this week,you could take asparagus and artichokes!

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May 10th, 2008, 23:05	#15
nikikali Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 16	Thanks again. I think the dried fruit and nuts would be better than chocolate (that may melt).