Gifts for hostess?

nikikali · May 11th, 2008, 04:25

I saw a posting on here once where someone linked to an Indian government site noting how much "produce' one could take into India. Now, of course, I can't find it. Any ideas?

wonderwomanusa · May 11th, 2008, 06:47

I wouldn't worry about it; they've never asked me what I'm bringing in, nor have they ever opened my bags.

chAos · May 11th, 2008, 07:16

As already mentioned, perfume and dried fruits / nuts are great ideas. These are both things that I'm asked to bring. If you've got one close to you, Trader Joe's trail mixes are especially good; nice variety and good value for money. I've never had any trouble bringing the trail mixes, but they were sealed, in case that matters.

In terms of chocolate, my experience is that the grocery-store brands (hershey, etc) aren't very well-liked (except by kids) , as they have better chocolate in India, but if you go up a rung to boxed chocolates, such as See's or even Whitman's, those are appreciated. Also a box makes it look more presentable as a gift.

I think Lush bath products are just so overpriced that in India, you won't get any bang for your buck. It's just soap afterall, naa?

Maple syrup never even crossed my mind before, but I might try that next time...

nikikali · May 11th, 2008, 07:22

Good advise about the Lush. I have both Trader Joe's and the Civic Center Farmer's Market at my disposal. I knew you all could help me with such a tricky question.

chAos · May 11th, 2008, 07:33

Yeah, maybe I should have added that in the past when I've tried to give very nice, expensive (you know - handmade, goat-milk, essential oil-infused, blah blah...) bath products, it's been greeted with, "Really? You got me soap?

Just one piece?"

Nick-H · May 11th, 2008, 09:46

Certain dried fruits and nuts are easily available here. Off-hand I can think of cashews and almonds, dates and prunes. Fairly sure I saw apricots the other day, too, and it wasn't a fancy shop.

wonderwomanusa · May 11th, 2008, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Certain dried fruits and nuts are easily available here. Off-hand I can think of cashews and almonds, dates and prunes. Fairly sure I saw apricots the other day, too, and it wasn't a fancy shop.

Cashews are cheap in India because they grow there.

The dried apricots I bought in Delhi were the entire fruit, including pit, dried to rock-consistency. The ones here, like the Turkish apricots, are split and tender. And almonds are relatively inexpensive where Nikikali and I live, as they grow a few miles away.

Nick-H · May 11th, 2008, 10:57

Actually, cashews are rather expensive, and definitely a treat!

...despite the fact that they grow here!

Almonds that I have seen are expensive, although I think they grow here too. I've not seen stuff like Brazils or Walnuts --- but an Indian family is unlikely to have a nutcracker in the kitchen drawer.

brishti · May 11th, 2008, 11:14

dates/prunes/apricots/figs etc may/mayn't be appreciated... really depends on her taste for them stuff.

dried fruits are a safe bet.
salted pistachio is another treat!
gummy bears i believe are a great hit with kids.

:brishti

dchatterjee · May 16th, 2008, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikikali

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.

get some nice t-shirts for her...and a trendy didital camera for her...

May 11th, 2008, 09:46	#21
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,220	Certain dried fruits and nuts are easily available here. Off-hand I can think of cashews and almonds, dates and prunes. Fairly sure I saw apricots the other day, too, and it wasn't a fancy shop. __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What gifts should I take for chidren?	shaz	Packing Tips for India travel	11	Mar 23rd, 2008 13:36
Gifts?	proxyindian	Packing Tips for India travel	2	Jun 17th, 2007 11:53
What Gifts to Take to India?	Caprimax	Packing Tips for India travel	14	Dec 20th, 2006 22:30
Gifts for Host	Hana	Chai and Chat	6	May 11th, 2005 23:32
Gifts	jjwoodee	Packing Tips for India travel	0	Jan 18th, 2003 22:44

May 11th, 2008, 04:25	#16
nikikali Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 16	I saw a posting on here once where someone linked to an Indian government site noting how much "produce' one could take into India. Now, of course, I can't find it. Any ideas?

May 11th, 2008, 06:47	#17
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,893	I wouldn't worry about it; they've never asked me what I'm bringing in, nor have they ever opened my bags.

May 11th, 2008, 07:16	#18
chAos I have a theory... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: [SEA] to HYD Posts: 480	As already mentioned, perfume and dried fruits / nuts are great ideas. These are both things that I'm asked to bring. If you've got one close to you, Trader Joe's trail mixes are especially good; nice variety and good value for money. I've never had any trouble bringing the trail mixes, but they were sealed, in case that matters. In terms of chocolate, my experience is that the grocery-store brands (hershey, etc) aren't very well-liked (except by kids) , as they have better chocolate in India, but if you go up a rung to boxed chocolates, such as See's or even Whitman's, those are appreciated. Also a box makes it look more presentable as a gift. I think Lush bath products are just so overpriced that in India, you won't get any bang for your buck. It's just soap afterall, naa? Maple syrup never even crossed my mind before, but I might try that next time...

May 11th, 2008, 07:22	#19
nikikali Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 16	Good advise about the Lush. I have both Trader Joe's and the Civic Center Farmer's Market at my disposal. I knew you all could help me with such a tricky question.

May 11th, 2008, 07:33	#20
chAos I have a theory... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: [SEA] to HYD Posts: 480	Yeah, maybe I should have added that in the past when I've tried to give very nice, expensive (you know - handmade, goat-milk, essential oil-infused, blah blah...) bath products, it's been greeted with, "Really? You got me soap? Just one piece?"

May 11th, 2008, 10:57	#23
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,220	Actually, cashews are rather expensive, and definitely a treat! ...despite the fact that they grow here! Almonds that I have seen are expensive, although I think they grow here too. I've not seen stuff like Brazils or Walnuts --- but an Indian family is unlikely to have a nutcracker in the kitchen drawer.

May 11th, 2008, 11:14	#24
brishti Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 1,070	dates/prunes/apricots/figs etc may/mayn't be appreciated... really depends on her taste for them stuff. dried fruits are a safe bet. salted pistachio is another treat! gummy bears i believe are a great hit with kids. :brishti

User Name		Remember Me?
Password