What gifts do you bring back for family?

[Flatbush Flyer]

39 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

I usually find interesting things in museum gift shops.

Though it can get pricey, museum shops often have a selection of affordable originals/reproductions of historical/cultural significance. Likewise, indigenous art collectives in exotic locations are often worth the detective work to identify and find them. And don’t forget that a bit more research can identify authorized art restorers who have museum permission to manufacture/market certified “spot on” handmade reproductions of handicrafts in their collections. 

 

[Nebr.cruiser]

We used to buy a lot of souvenirs, for ourselves and family, but now only a few small reminders for us, and, since the Grandkids are all now grown, usually nothing, or very little, for them.  We have so many souvenirs, we really have no place to keep or display any more. 

 

Maybe a key chain, fridge magnet, etc. at the most.  

[donaldsc]

Rocks.  We have a granddaughter who collects minerals and crystals.  Other than that nothing for anyone else.  We used to waste to much time looking for gifts.  No longer.

 

DON

[lenquixote66]

On 3/24/2024 at 1:09 PM, ldubs said:

 

Collecting/adding to the collection can be a lot of fun.  Mrs Ldubs used to purchase a Swarovski crystal figure during every international trip (land or sea).  We have a large curio with 101 of the critters.  She figured that was enough, so no more Swarovski's.    

Mrs.66 did the very same thing.

[lenquixote66]

I buy tee shirts .I have at least one for every place I have traveled to .

One day we were in Barbados and Mrs. 66 decided to buy a hand carved wooden turtle for our then 11 year old granddaughter.

We gave it to her but she had no interest in it.It currently sits on the bottom shelf of my 12 foot book case.Whenever our granddogs are in the room they always go to the turtle to attempt to play with it.

[2BACRUISER]

Absolutely nothing, years ago used to spend last few days running round getting gifts but tbh they're not that appreciated so now,we don't bother. I usually buy kitchen towels with places we've visited and at least they get used drying the dishes lol 😆 

[Markanddonna]

It depends on where I am going. The Caribbean—No. I think my children and grandchildren have received their fill of gifts from various places in Europe. Now, I tend to buy things only if it is a really exotic or very new place for us—like Israel or Australia. I might buy items that reflect our family's heritage and maybe a non-breakable Christmas ornament.

[lynncarol]

I have a rock collection so try to bring home a unique pebble from each country we visit. It is important however to  never take anything from a country's parks or their national areas of prominence.  I also have a shell collection since I grew up near the ocean, but carting off shells is illegal in most places abroad now.  

[navybankerteacher]

I used to bring back sunburns - but, since regularly applying sunblock, not even that these days.

[lenquixote66]

30 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

I used to bring back sunburns - but, since regularly applying sunblock, not even that these days.

The best line I have read in my 16 years of being on CC

[clo]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

I used to bring back sunburns - but, since regularly applying sunblock, not even that these days.

I could spend several weeks in Rio and not even get a flip-flop tan. Walked in the shadows of the buildings. Except at noon.

[ldubs]

4 hours ago, clo said:

I could spend several weeks in Rio and not even get a flip-flop tan. Walked in the shadows of the buildings. Except at noon.

 

Probably not using as much sun screen in Seattle either.  But when you need it, you need it.   

[clo]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

Probably not using as much sun screen in Seattle either.  But when you need it, you need it.   

My doctor actually wants me to take a vitamin D supplement because we get so little sun here!

[charmingtortoise]

We brought back Dominican chocolate, Dominican chocolate tea (Yummy!!), and an assortment of spices. For the kids we know we brought back little pan flutes, notebooks and keychains. I hate bringing back knickknacks or shirts with the name of the places we visited since that's not a place they visited, so it won't be special to them. 

[crystalspin]

On 3/25/2024 at 12:03 PM, crystalspin said:

Historically: keychains, coasters, fridge magnets, shot-glasses. T-shirts from the $5-day ship sales.

In addition, I am always looking in the back of my head, for things SPECIFIC to family members: my sister and BIL are musically inclined, and I have brought them musical instruments from around the world (not only cruises) -- including a balalaika from Russia, a tin whistle from Ireland, and various percussion devices from other places. My other sister has studied art in more depth than most, and I try to bring her things from Museum Shops.

 

I fell in love with a decorative "plate" from the Gom Viet workshop in HoChiMin City and carefully brought it home as my "personal item", for myself.

[frantic36]

My youngest son has become a good cook and likes to try different recipes from different parts of the world. So I do bring him back recipe books and look for ones that have a some history of the recipe written in the description. He enjoys reading them and has done various recipes for family meals.

[clo]

On 3/31/2024 at 8:49 PM, crystalspin said:

HoChiMin City

Just a reminder that really only Viet government workers call it that. Understandably. The rest call it Saigon..

[crystalspin]

38 minutes ago, clo said:

Just a reminder that really only Viet government workers call it that. Understandably. The rest call it Saigon..

I got it from the address on the internet! I really thought it was not in Saigon (which is pronounced Shy-gon locally) that I bought the plate as we stopped there twice on the bus; whereas we STAYED in Saigon. Maybe GomViet had a showroom in a different city, but I can't get through the language on the website!

[clo]

3 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

I got it from the address on the internet! I really thought it was not in Saigon (which is pronounced Shy-gon locally) that I bought the plate as we stopped there twice on the bus; whereas we STAYED in Saigon. Maybe GomViet had a showroom in a different city, but I can't get through the language on the website!

We did almost a month escorted tour of SE Asia maybe eight years ago. Thailand, Laos,Cambodia and Vietnam. It was fantastic. And Vietnam was a highlight. All the way from Saigon to Hanoi.