Gifts for Indians

bamboo · May 25th, 2005, 01:39

Nice thread!! I was wondering about this question some time ago and this gave me good advice. Thanks

So, chocolate could be a good gift. I guess Indians might like the Finnish chocolate... I'm just thinking about the transporting. How to avoid the melting?

Maybe I shall take some photos or postcards of my country, too.

machadinha · May 25th, 2005, 02:42

The melting bit has been extensively covered here, too. Do a search on this forum and you'll find all you need to know on freezing and storing and the merits thereof if any

iyou · May 25th, 2005, 03:59

I've brought my partner's family chocolates and booze many times, but the favorite items are the jars of home-made jam. Indian jam is absolutely the WORST in the world. A pot of sugar, artificial flavor and color, with a little bit of strawberry pulp floating in the middle. Yuck. Something that's made with actual fruit is a real treat there, especially if you make it yourself.

torryquine · May 25th, 2005, 04:09

We took shortbread and fudge, (typical cheapskate Scots) but we wanted to give something made where we're from......which doesn't melt

emjoi · May 25th, 2005, 05:58

One of the in-laws I am visiting is in the famous Indian IT industry, so I'm taking along a few O'Reily computer books.

andygoodyear · May 25th, 2005, 06:41

Hi

A related question. Shall I take a gift for the people that run the guest house I will be staying at? I am there for 4 nights and it is my first point of call in India.

machadinha · May 25th, 2005, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygoodyear

A related question. Shall I take a gift for the people that run the guest house I will be staying at? I am there for 4 nights and it is my first point of call in India.

Wouldn't cause you any harm I'm sure, but would you take a gift for the keeper of the Holiday Inn or even the local youth hostel for a 4-day stay in London?

byronic · May 25th, 2005, 10:16

Yeah, well it does depend on who, where, and why, you are giving gifts to, doesn't it? I would say if you are giving a gift to the upper middle class family parents in New Delhi who are your host family, a "one pen" or uninflated balloon, might be a bit cleap :P ... An Sports team jersey or hat might be more appropriate.

When we stayed at the guest house in Deogarh, which was way way off the beaten track, we gifted the innkeeper a brand new mini-mag flashlight. No one in that whole town owned a mini-mag flashlight. He was overjoyed. Deogarh only gets electricty about 8 hours a day, so the flashlight was a totally functional useful gift.

I took a mini polaroid camera and made gifts of instant pictures to village kids. I totally had to be careful though as I almost caused a riot once because EVERY kid wanted one and I did run out of film

For a village family, to take and give a polaroid photo of their young son, or a family portrait, was priceless.

*jyoti* · May 25th, 2005, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by iyou

... Something that's made with actual fruit is a real treat there, especially if you make it yourself.

I've heard dried fruit is also appreciated and easy to carry (doesn't need refrigerated). Things like apples, apricots, that sort of fruit...

bamboo · May 25th, 2005, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mala

If you take Finnish chocolate to India they'll be disappointed with Canadian, American and British chocolate for life! :P Finnish chocolate has to be the best in the world.

Maybe a box of Fazer's blue chocolate will be great...

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

The melting bit has been extensively covered here, too. Do a search on this forum and you'll find all you need to know on freezing and storing and the merits thereof if any

Thanks. I didn't know that this was this common and big problem.

Though many recommend to keep the chocolate safe in your own stomach...

wonderwomanusa · May 26th, 2005, 11:50

For friends, I took T-shirts, a catnip toy for their cat (catnip does not grow in India as far as I can tell), dog toys for the dogs, lipstick and perfume for the ladies.

For new-found friends, I carried packets of flower seeds and I took a good paring knife for my favorite cook.

I also carried postcards of my home town, for "show and tell" on the trains and by the time I left, I'd given them all away to shopkeepers, restaurant boys, and various people who were pleasant when I needed a smile.

SHIMLA · May 26th, 2005, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamboo

I guess Indians might like the Finnish chocolate...

Yes, Indians love to finish chocolate !

bamboo · May 26th, 2005, 14:31

Hey, one more question: Is there something that I should absolutely not bring to an Indian family? I mean something that might insult them?

Destination · May 26th, 2005, 17:47

#1. If you want to bring gifts for the children in the streets, bring small sweets, balloons, little (hotel) soaps, or (what they like most of all) pens!!.
2. For the people with whom the contact is more intense bring some small souvenirs from your own country. They will appreciate that very much

May 25th, 2005, 02:42	#17
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,518	The melting bit has been extensively covered here, too. Do a search on this forum and you'll find all you need to know on freezing and storing and the merits thereof if any __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

May 25th, 2005, 03:59	#18
iyou Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon USA Posts: 502	I've brought my partner's family chocolates and booze many times, but the favorite items are the jars of home-made jam. Indian jam is absolutely the WORST in the world. A pot of sugar, artificial flavor and color, with a little bit of strawberry pulp floating in the middle. Yuck. Something that's made with actual fruit is a real treat there, especially if you make it yourself. __________________ . . . --May a moody baby doom a yam.

May 25th, 2005, 04:09	#19
torryquine Oilfield Trash! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 700	We took shortbread and fudge, (typical cheapskate Scots) but we wanted to give something made where we're from......which doesn't melt __________________ http://werenotafraid.com/

May 25th, 2005, 10:16	#23
byronic back in the ussa Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Rang De Basantistan or Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 477	Yeah, well it does depend on who, where, and why, you are giving gifts to, doesn't it? I would say if you are giving a gift to the upper middle class family parents in New Delhi who are your host family, a "one pen" or uninflated balloon, might be a bit cleap :P ... An Sports team jersey or hat might be more appropriate. When we stayed at the guest house in Deogarh, which was way way off the beaten track, we gifted the innkeeper a brand new mini-mag flashlight. No one in that whole town owned a mini-mag flashlight. He was overjoyed. Deogarh only gets electricty about 8 hours a day, so the flashlight was a totally functional useful gift. I took a mini polaroid camera and made gifts of instant pictures to village kids. I totally had to be careful though as I almost caused a riot once because EVERY kid wanted one and I did run out of film For a village family, to take and give a polaroid photo of their young son, or a family portrait, was priceless. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/byronic501/

May 26th, 2005, 17:47	#29
Destination Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2	gifts #1. If you want to bring gifts for the children in the streets, bring small sweets, balloons, little (hotel) soaps, or (what they like most of all) pens!!. 2. For the people with whom the contact is more intense bring some small souvenirs from your own country. They will appreciate that very much

May 25th, 2005, 01:39	#16
bamboo Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 30	Nice thread!! I was wondering about this question some time ago and this gave me good advice. Thanks So, chocolate could be a good gift. I guess Indians might like the Finnish chocolate... I'm just thinking about the transporting. How to avoid the melting? Maybe I shall take some photos or postcards of my country, too.

May 25th, 2005, 05:58	#20
emjoi Some dude Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 134	One of the in-laws I am visiting is in the famous Indian IT industry, so I'm taking along a few O'Reily computer books.

May 25th, 2005, 06:41	#21
andygoodyear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 275	Hi A related question. Shall I take a gift for the people that run the guest house I will be staying at? I am there for 4 nights and it is my first point of call in India.

May 26th, 2005, 11:50	#26
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,469	For friends, I took T-shirts, a catnip toy for their cat (catnip does not grow in India as far as I can tell), dog toys for the dogs, lipstick and perfume for the ladies. For new-found friends, I carried packets of flower seeds and I took a good paring knife for my favorite cook. I also carried postcards of my home town, for "show and tell" on the trains and by the time I left, I'd given them all away to shopkeepers, restaurant boys, and various people who were pleasant when I needed a smile.

May 26th, 2005, 14:31	#28
bamboo Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 30	Hey, one more question: Is there something that I should absolutely not bring to an Indian family? I mean something that might insult them?

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