Gift ideas??

[Randy W]

 

 

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!!

 

Make sure they can exchange these - they haven't been printed since 1969.

 

The phrase "new and crisp" comes to mind.

[steveandrong]

 

 

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!!

 

Make sure they can exchange these - they haven't been printed since 1969.

 

The phrase "new and crisp" comes to mind.

hahahaha....yes...new and crisp for sure...if there is any defect in the bill, it will surely be rejected.....writing on it,tears, or dog eared corners...have had many bills rejected for this, so always take the newest in best condition money you can get....what is really hilarious is the condition of their money....they want our money in pristine condition and then give to you what i think are no more than rags sometimes

[Corbin]

 

 

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

 

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!!

 

Make sure they can exchange these - they haven't been printed since 1969.

 

The phrase "new and crisp" comes to mind.

hahahaha....yes...new and crisp for sure...if there is any defect in the bill, it will surely be rejected.....writing on it,tears, or dog eared corners...have had many bills rejected for this, so always take the newest in best condition money you can get....what is really hilarious is the condition of their money....they want our money in pristine condition and then give to you what i think are no more than rags sometimes

Does it help if your so is with you when you try to change money?

[Shenzhen K-1]

 

 

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!!

 

Make sure they can exchange these - they haven't been printed since 1969.

 

The phrase "new and crisp" comes to mind.

hahahaha....yes...new and crisp for sure...if there is any defect in the bill, it will surely be rejected.....writing on it,tears, or dog eared corners...have had many bills rejected for this, so always take the newest in best condition money you can get....what is really hilarious is the condition of their money....they want our money in pristine condition and then give to you what i think are no more than rags sometimes

Does it help if your so is with you when you try to change money?

 

Maybe a little, only five people will try to inch ahead of you while in line!!

 

I have done it at banks and at my hotel, both the current rate and no fees!!!

[jim_julian]

In looking at this thread once again, I think many of you are over doing it on gifts.

 

 

It's not necessary to give large sums of money ... it's not necessary to give expensive gifts.

 

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will differ ...

[michaelt]

In looking at this thread once again, I think many of you are over doing it on gifts.

 

 

It's not necessary to give large sums of money ... it's not necessary to give expensive gifts.

 

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will differ ...

I agree Jim and just wanted many different ideas, and will get as many little things as I can just for the fun of giving and seeing mama's reaction. She is so sweet. I also really can not do the dowry thing. Atleast not now. And really don't see the need. She and I talked about it awhile ago and she said a very definite "NO"! (I also only asked twice, because three may have gotten a yes!)

I am not rich (but comfortable), not retired, can take good care of my gal, but plan on giving her a significant amount of money when she arrives, so she feels independent, money for new wardrobe, and money for her to go out with her new friends and neighbors. She can do anything she wants with this money including sending it to her family. I also want reserve money to fly her home if she starts to freak after AP, if she feels the need. I have incurred all past and present expenses of this process (including her moms plane ticket, hotels and meals for 9 days during interview) and have saved enough to take care of all AOS/EAD/AP and fun money for us to travel locally and go away on numerous weekends when she arrives.

After that folks, my cup no longer runneth over.... : )

Thank you everone for helping me go shopping!!!! (I mean that!!!)

[tsap seui]

It was tough pickin' gifts for the first trip, but now, as mom, dad, and brothers all smoke I take "real" American cigarettes, and mom likes the lil' ceegars I smoke.

 

On one trip, I gave dad (he's the only communist party member in the family) one of my combat air medals ( that some dumb colonel once pinned on my chest as I'm standing there with dried up blood all over my flight suit from flyin' medivac missions, in and out of the "shit" all day) and he's given me a tee-shirt, in Chinese, celebrating 85 years of Communism, and he once gave me 4 Chairman Mao buttons from the mid sixties when he found out I wanted a "full size".Chinese flag (to replace the New Zealand flag usually hanging on my flag pole). I now take him baseball caps with different stuff on them, sometimes Harley Davidson caps.

 

I've taken clothes and perfume, and rooster caps that when you squeeze a button on one wing the rooster flaps it's wings and cock-a-doodle do's...or as the lil' rabbit says, when she can stop laughing..."rooster have talk and dance", and I've taken Billy Bob teeth to pass out to the family. We have a ton of laughter when we get together.

 

But gifts for a first trip, that's a toughie, good luck. Listen to these other ol' boys as they are much more refined than my redneck self and I'm jest lookin' to laugh my way thru the rest of this life anyhow....it does seem to be infectious with my "new" family....Hmmmm...I wonder if'n maybe they're Chinese rednecks....Nah...they don't even have a pickem-up truck sittin' on blocks outside their concrete canyon buildin', shucks they don't even have a 1950's bicycle sittin' on blocks out front.

 

tsap seui

Edited November 10, 2007 by tsap seui (see edit history)

[michaelt]

It was tough pickin' gifts for the first trip, but now, as mom, dad, and brothers all smoke I take "real" American cigarettes, and mom likes the lil' ceegars I smoke.

 

On one trip, I gave dad (he's the only communist party member in the family) one of my combat air medals ( that some dumb colonel once pinned on my chest as I'm standing there with dried up blood all over my flight suit from flyin' medivac missions, in and out of the "shit" all day) and he's given me a tee-shirt, in Chinese, celebrating 85 years of Communism, and he once gave me 4 Chairman Mao buttons from the mid sixties when he found out I wanted a "full size".Chinese flag (to replace the New Zealand flag usually hanging on my flag pole). I now take him baseball caps with different stuff on them, sometimes Harley Davidson caps.

 

I've taken clothes and perfume, and rooster caps that when you squeeze a button on one wing the rooster flaps it's wings and cock-a-doodle do's...or as the lil' rabbit says, when she can stop laughing..."rooster have talk and dance", and I've taken Billy Bob teeth to pass out to the family. We have a ton of laughter when we get together.

 

But gifts for a first trip, that's a toughie, good luck. Listen to these other ol' boys as they are much more refined than my redneck self and I'm jest lookin' to laugh my way thru the rest of this life anyhow....it does seem to be infectious with my "new" family....Hmmmm...I wonder if'n maybe they're Chinese rednecks....Nah...they don't even have a pickem-up truck sittin' on blocks outside their concrete canyon buildin', shucks they don't even have a 1950's bicycle sittin' on blocks out front.

 

tsap seui

you're so funny and I thank you for your post anyway. Actually this is my second trip. I mailed candles and bath and body lotion while I was there in January. They actually arrived while I was there. My gal's family and I were celebrating my birthday, and while they were giving me gifts, the postman delivered theirs! It was great!!

[Don]

In looking at this thread once again, I think many of you are over doing it on gifts.

 

 

It's not necessary to give large sums of money ... it's not necessary to give expensive gifts.

 

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will differ ...

 

i also think this too much. I did nto give close to these amounts. I just brought some things that will make her life easier adn make her daughter happy.

[michaelt]

In looking at this thread once again, I think many of you are over doing it on gifts.

 

 

It's not necessary to give large sums of money ... it's not necessary to give expensive gifts.

 

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will differ ...

 

i also think this too much. I did nto give close to these amounts. I just brought some things that will make her life easier adn make her daughter happy.

I like that. And that is where I am coming from. Just wanted ideas for some extra treats for her and the rest of her family...things they can't get or afford...you know, things you wouldn't buy for yourself. (like Denny's ashtrays?)

Thanks for your post. : )

[Don]

In looking at this thread once again, I think many of you are over doing it on gifts.

 

 

It's not necessary to give large sums of money ... it's not necessary to give expensive gifts.

 

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will differ ...

 

i also think this too much. I did nto give close to these amounts. I just brought some things that will make her life easier adn make her daughter happy.

I like that. And that is where I am coming from. Just wanted ideas for some extra treats for her and the rest of her family...things they can't get or afford...you know, things you wouldn't buy for yourself. (like Denny's ashtrays?)

Thanks for your post. : )

 

One of the best gifts was a hoody outfit for her, her daughter and mom. They all love it. You know the kids school uniforms are a little bit like exercise suits. So a more fashionable school uniform. Plus, it is comfortable and warm. Ping and her mom like Tai chi so the outfit works great. Just ~ 25 on sale at target.

[tsap seui]

Hoodys...that is a great idea. I like that.

 

And Michael, I like yore idea about all those goodies from America's most exquisite eatery, Denny's. Heck damn, when I've got important people comin' into town I take them right to Denny's for some fancy high priced vituals...Denny's is so much better then Joe's Choke n' Puke where I normally dine.

 

tsap seui

[Shenzhen K-1]

In looking at this thread once again, I think many of you are over doing it on gifts.

 

 

It's not necessary to give large sums of money ... it's not necessary to give expensive gifts.

 

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will differ ...

 

i also think this too much. I did nto give close to these amounts. I just brought some things that will make her life easier adn make her daughter happy.

I like that. And that is where I am coming from. Just wanted ideas for some extra treats for her and the rest of her family...things they can't get or afford...you know, things you wouldn't buy for yourself. (like Denny's ashtrays?)

Thanks for your post. : )

 

One of the best gifts was a hoody outfit for her, her daughter and mom. They all love it. You know the kids school uniforms are a little bit like exercise suits. So a more fashionable school uniform. Plus, it is comfortable and warm. Ping and her mom like Tai chi so the outfit works great. Just ~ 25 on sale at target.

 

I sent my little Mrs. a gag gift once, did not get at first though!! I sent her a nice Valentine box this year and packed it with kleenex packs, just like what napkins come in over there!! I thought it was funny, she could not figure out why send napkins for romantic day?? But, she does always save the left over napkins for the next place that does not offer any or on trips! Just a thought Michael?

[Am4wag]

Peanut butter,candy,nice blankets,U.S. money,American cigarettes/liquor,Nike brand shoes/clothing (very expensive there)....the list goes on and on-mainly want to give items NOT made in China,or items that are very expensive there but not here.

[michaelt]

Thank you everyone!!!