Gift ideas??

[michaelt]

My gal's mom is coming to the interview and I would like to send her home with some gifts for her and my Shushu. Any great ideas for relished items from the good ol' US?

Thank you all! : )

Edited November 7, 2007 by michaelt (see edit history)

[Guest hi5pro]

A watch.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gino & Lulu

[michaelt]

A watch.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gino & Lulu

Really? Which watch? No seriously. Are watches desirable? Are we talking Rolex here? I thought posts would include candy and Scotch? BTW, I send my gal Godiva chocolates and I don't see her doing cart wheels?

[Guest hi5pro]

A watch.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gino & Lulu

Really? Which watch? No seriously. Are watches desirable? Are we talking Rolex here? I thought posts would include candy and Scotch? BTW, I send my gal Godiva chocolates and I don't see her doing cart wheels?

Most Chinese like electronic stuffs and watches. Not a Rolex, Michael. I'll say a Seiko (between 100-150) from Costco will be good enough.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gino & Lulu

[Don]

Vitamin, Fish Oil & Melatonin, American Ginseng these things are very expensive in China and most likely fake so American version very much wanted. Also if Mom has heart issue Coenzyme Q10. Medical supplies also good. Japense brand blood pressure cuff.

[Dennis143]

A watch.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gino & Lulu

Really? Which watch? No seriously. Are watches desirable? Are we talking Rolex here? I thought posts would include candy and Scotch? BTW, I send my gal Godiva chocolates and I don't see her doing cart wheels?

Most Chinese like electronic stuffs and watches. Not a Rolex, Michael. I'll say a Seiko (between 100-150) from Costco will be good enough.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gino & Lulu

Never give a clock as a gift. Traditional superstitions regard this as counting the seconds to the recipient's death.

 

When or if a gift is given, it should be offered with two hands. Any gift offered with two hands should always be received with two hands.

[michaelt]

You guys are great!!! Please keep your ideas coming!!! I only have a week before I fly to GUZ, and must go shopping this weekend. American Ginseng? The pill or the herb? No thoughts on candies, chocolates, wine, liquor, coffees or teas? (forgive me if I sound stupid!!!) I've asked my honey many times for ideas...she always say's nothing!!! Drives me nuts!!!

Thank you all : )

[Shenzhen K-1]

Michaelt, first off buddy good luck!!

 

When I met my new in-laws for the first time ths question puzzled me also. I do not smoke and rarely drink and uncomfortable giving them as gifts! I looked up in a bookstore about Chinese customs and got some help. I did get some suggestions from my soon to be wife or my STBW! I finally settled on the following!

 

 

 

1. Mom and Dad got the dowry money as talked about in many issues, no big amount. I also gave them coffee cups from my work, thought they might like that and a few other trinkets. The real gift was a photo album of my home inside and out, the street it is on, the high school, and the town her daughter and granddaughter will live in. It was a big hit!!

 

 

2. Older sister got a care package of cosmetics from Walgreen's. Do not like to use name brands but the lady helping me was great! I picked out quite a few things and then asked for some help. The lady after knowing what it was for overfilled the gift bag with free samples.

 

3. Younger brother who likes to hike and golf I got a back pack from my company (no not a cheesy one). It is the kind that is compact but is also a cooler inside of it. he was so happy he gave me a Chinese soldier statue. Could not get the dange thing through customs though!!

Edited November 7, 2007 by Shenzhen K-1 (see edit history)

[pkfops]

Pistachios are a safe choice.

 

Don't forget that you should give $$$$$$ when you take her to the US.

Edited November 7, 2007 by pkfops (see edit history)

[michaelt]

Michaelt, first off buddy good luck!!

 

When I met my new in-laws for the first time ths question puzzled me also. I do not smoke and rarely drink and uncomfortable giving them as gifts! I looked up in a bookstore about Chinese customs and got some help. I did get some suggestions from my soon to be wife or my STBW! I finally settled on the following!

 

 

 

1. Mom and Dad got the dowry money as talked about in many issues, no big amount. I also gave them coffee cups from my work, thought they might like that and a few other trinkets. The real gift was a photo album of my home inside and out, the street it is on, the high school, and the town her daughter and granddaughter will live in. It was a big hit!!

 

 

2. Older sister got a care package of cosmetics from Walgreen's. Do not like to use name brands but the lady helping me was great! I picked out quite a few things and then asked for some help. The lady after knowing what it was for overfilled the gift bag with free samples.

 

3. Younger brother who likes to hike and golf I got a back pack from my company (no not a cheesy one). It is the kind that is compact but is also a cooler inside of it. he was so happy he gave me a Chinese soldier statue. Could not get the dange thing through customs though!!

Thank you for the nice wishes and wonderful ideas!!! Good luck to you and your gal too, and I look forward to hearing great news from you someday soon!!!

[michaelt]

Pistachios are a safe choice.

 

Don't forget that you should give $$$$$$ when you take her to the US.

Pistachios huh? I love pistachios...too much work though, sometimes!! Money is the norm huh? Quite understandable though. I'm sure she is a major contributor in the family. Just out of curiosity, what is considered not insulting? Hundreds? Thousands? Refinance my home? : )

[Corbin]

You guys are great!!! Please keep your ideas coming!!! I only have a week before I fly to GUZ, and must go shopping this weekend. American Ginseng? The pill or the herb? No thoughts on candies, chocolates, wine, liquor, coffees or teas? (forgive me if I sound stupid!!!) I've asked my honey many times for ideas...she always say's nothing!!! Drives me nuts!!!

Thank you all : )

Remember when you give the gift it may be refused a couple times before it is taken. So don't be shocked.

[michaelt]

You guys are great!!! Please keep your ideas coming!!! I only have a week before I fly to GUZ, and must go shopping this weekend. American Ginseng? The pill or the herb? No thoughts on candies, chocolates, wine, liquor, coffees or teas? (forgive me if I sound stupid!!!) I've asked my honey many times for ideas...she always say's nothing!!! Drives me nuts!!!

Thank you all : )

Remember when you give the gift it may be refused a couple times before it is taken. So don't be shocked.

It's funny you should say that. Getting ideas is like pulling teeth. Giving gifts is like pulling teeth. Yet my last gifts to her for her birthday were opened early, and hardly spoken of (they were fun gifts!!!...camera...CD player...American CD's...CD's I compiled of her favorite music in China...stuffed animals..other fun things). Barely heard much feedback. Mysterious ladies, these gals of ours!

[Dennis143]

This site seems to give some good, practical advice...

http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/9125.asp

[Shenzhen K-1]

Pistachios are a safe choice.

 

Don't forget that you should give $$$$$$ when you take her to the US.

Pistachios huh? I love pistachios...too much work though, sometimes!! Money is the norm huh? Quite understandable though. I'm sure she is a major contributor in the family. Just out of curiosity, what is considered not insulting? Hundreds? Thousands? Refinance my home? : )

 

I am sorry I forgot what city she is from??

 

Anyway I gave two $500.00 usd bills, and was told that was the norm. I looked up in a book of Chinese customs like always and it said somewhere between 500-2000 or so!!

 

I am also told when we leave they give that $$ back, will refuse sure mom and dad can use it!!