Russia What gifts to bring back to the US
Mar 4th, 2004, 03:44 PM
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Russia What gifts to bring back to the US
Many thanks to all who helped me arrange my holiday to Russia.
We will leave in 5 short weeks.
I would like to know what gifts to bring back for freinds/relatives in the US. I would like to bring back something that would be appreciated, not something tacky. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
We will leave in 5 short weeks.
I would like to know what gifts to bring back for freinds/relatives in the US. I would like to bring back something that would be appreciated, not something tacky. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Mar 4th, 2004, 03:58 PM
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For an idea have a look at: http://russiansouvenirs.com/
In St Petersburg you might want to consider a visit to Lomonosova China Factory
In St Petersburg you might want to consider a visit to Lomonosova China Factory
Mar 4th, 2004, 04:26 PM
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You'll have no problem figuring this out for yourself once you arrive and do a bit of shopping.
I found the better prices and selection at the souvenir shops in St. Petersburg versus Moscow. Many have cafes within (free coffee, vodka, cordials) or a comfortable seating area, where you sit, while they bring you items of interest, or you can browse. (And, they have very clean rest rooms!) If someone follows you all about, it's to be helpful - not to keep a watchful eye on you. Most sales clerks speak very good English.
The most classic Russian gift is probably a painted laquer box. I never expected to become so enamored of them! They (the authentic ones) are astonishing (and pricey). If you visit a shop where quality boxes are sold, they will educate you in how to judge workmanship and authenticity (and hand you a nice magnifying glass for inspecting them).
But, you'll find all sorts of beautiful hand crafted items everywhere you go. The array of items is nearly overwhelming! Don't avoid the street vendors - just scrutinize everything carefully, and know your prices.
Note that in shops where you pay with a credit card, the prices are often in dollars, but your card will be charged in Rubles. So, know the current rate of exchange when you leave home. The rate will be posted (usually on a huge sign near the cashier). The rate was very fair (usually nearly exactly the interbank rate) every place I shopped, and when I double checked the charges posted to my account all were accurate.
Note also that they often peel off the price stickers and then gift wrap everything. Just ask that they affix the price sticker(s) to your receipt, so that you'll have that for customs and checking your credit card charges.
My favorite purchases were water color paintings (best selection and artists outside/nearby Church on Spilled Blood, but I also picked up a few exquisite smaller ones a the souvenir shops, framed).
Note that if you buy something large/fragile and are worried about getting it home, there is a large desk at the airport in St. Petersburg where you can purchase boxes, bubble wrap, etc., very cheaply. (I'd have bought a painting that made my eyes pop and my heart leap if I'd known this.) (And, be sure to allow LOTS of extra time if you're departing from St. Petersburg - there can be very long, very slow, lines for baggage control, then check-in, then passport control.)
All the ladies I bought "Faberge-style" egg pendants for were thrilled. The less expensive ones that are gold filled with imitation jewels (even "diamonds"
have held up just fine, and the quality of workmanship is excellent.
While in St. Petersburg, be SURE to go on a canal cruise. Just go down to the dock - someone will help you. None of these are given in English (we went with a private tour guide), but the ride is magnificent all the same.
Everywhere you go, you'll be approached by vendors selling packets of ten postcards for $2. Take a look. These are spectacular photos and there are many different sets of photos. You should buy those you like when you have the chance, as you'll not likely see the same set again, and you won't find many of Moscow in St. Petersburg. We got a fantastic packet all of Red Square - incredible shots.
You'll see photo books for $10 all about as well. Again, while at the Kremlin or the Armory, you should grab that one, as you won't find it again anywhere else.
Another thing to be on the lookout for is videos/DVD's. Videos MUST be "NTSC" format to play on USA VCR's. Check the box, but also check inside. Sometimes the box will say "PAL", etc., but there will be a "US" or "USA" sticker somewhere on it and the label on the actual tape will have NTSC printed on it. We found a fantastic video "The Spirit of St. Petersburg".
I found the better prices and selection at the souvenir shops in St. Petersburg versus Moscow. Many have cafes within (free coffee, vodka, cordials) or a comfortable seating area, where you sit, while they bring you items of interest, or you can browse. (And, they have very clean rest rooms!) If someone follows you all about, it's to be helpful - not to keep a watchful eye on you. Most sales clerks speak very good English.
The most classic Russian gift is probably a painted laquer box. I never expected to become so enamored of them! They (the authentic ones) are astonishing (and pricey). If you visit a shop where quality boxes are sold, they will educate you in how to judge workmanship and authenticity (and hand you a nice magnifying glass for inspecting them).
But, you'll find all sorts of beautiful hand crafted items everywhere you go. The array of items is nearly overwhelming! Don't avoid the street vendors - just scrutinize everything carefully, and know your prices.
Note that in shops where you pay with a credit card, the prices are often in dollars, but your card will be charged in Rubles. So, know the current rate of exchange when you leave home. The rate will be posted (usually on a huge sign near the cashier). The rate was very fair (usually nearly exactly the interbank rate) every place I shopped, and when I double checked the charges posted to my account all were accurate.
Note also that they often peel off the price stickers and then gift wrap everything. Just ask that they affix the price sticker(s) to your receipt, so that you'll have that for customs and checking your credit card charges.
My favorite purchases were water color paintings (best selection and artists outside/nearby Church on Spilled Blood, but I also picked up a few exquisite smaller ones a the souvenir shops, framed).
Note that if you buy something large/fragile and are worried about getting it home, there is a large desk at the airport in St. Petersburg where you can purchase boxes, bubble wrap, etc., very cheaply. (I'd have bought a painting that made my eyes pop and my heart leap if I'd known this.) (And, be sure to allow LOTS of extra time if you're departing from St. Petersburg - there can be very long, very slow, lines for baggage control, then check-in, then passport control.)
All the ladies I bought "Faberge-style" egg pendants for were thrilled. The less expensive ones that are gold filled with imitation jewels (even "diamonds"
have held up just fine, and the quality of workmanship is excellent.While in St. Petersburg, be SURE to go on a canal cruise. Just go down to the dock - someone will help you. None of these are given in English (we went with a private tour guide), but the ride is magnificent all the same.
Everywhere you go, you'll be approached by vendors selling packets of ten postcards for $2. Take a look. These are spectacular photos and there are many different sets of photos. You should buy those you like when you have the chance, as you'll not likely see the same set again, and you won't find many of Moscow in St. Petersburg. We got a fantastic packet all of Red Square - incredible shots.
You'll see photo books for $10 all about as well. Again, while at the Kremlin or the Armory, you should grab that one, as you won't find it again anywhere else.
Another thing to be on the lookout for is videos/DVD's. Videos MUST be "NTSC" format to play on USA VCR's. Check the box, but also check inside. Sometimes the box will say "PAL", etc., but there will be a "US" or "USA" sticker somewhere on it and the label on the actual tape will have NTSC printed on it. We found a fantastic video "The Spirit of St. Petersburg".
Mar 4th, 2004, 04:54 PM
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We came away from Russia calling it "The Land of Stuff." Never saw so many good-quality, reasonably-priced souvenirs this side of the Orient.
Good: linen garments, especially for women. Great looking, unique, comfortable.
Good: wooden article, including the ever-present (and some near-porno) matruschka nesting dolls. Don't miss looking inside the "Bill Clinton" dolls. What a hoot!
Careful: Russian wrist watches -- cheap, and deservedly so. Most are made in the nearby city of Uglich. Nice looking...but they don't keep time.
Careful: fur hats. Somebody somewhere is missing an awful lot of family house pets.
Careful: chess sets. Don't buy one just to have one. Some nice looking ones made of onyx. Others made of carved wood.
Top: water colors by starving artists. We bought some on the way to Lake Ladoga that are simply stunning. Buy one because you like it. Very reasonable in price. Offer 60% of the asking price, settle for 75%.
Good: linen garments, especially for women. Great looking, unique, comfortable.
Good: wooden article, including the ever-present (and some near-porno) matruschka nesting dolls. Don't miss looking inside the "Bill Clinton" dolls. What a hoot!
Careful: Russian wrist watches -- cheap, and deservedly so. Most are made in the nearby city of Uglich. Nice looking...but they don't keep time.
Careful: fur hats. Somebody somewhere is missing an awful lot of family house pets.
Careful: chess sets. Don't buy one just to have one. Some nice looking ones made of onyx. Others made of carved wood.
Top: water colors by starving artists. We bought some on the way to Lake Ladoga that are simply stunning. Buy one because you like it. Very reasonable in price. Offer 60% of the asking price, settle for 75%.
Mar 4th, 2004, 05:57 PM
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Some more ideas see:
http://www.rus-sell.com/catalog.html
The Hermitage as well as most of the national museums have good gift shops. Many replicas of items on display in the museums. The quality of items you buy on the street can be of question unless you know something about the item.
The weekend market at Izmaylvski (Ismailovo) Park, in Moscow is one of the largest markets for crafts and you will find many artists selling their own work. Go to Izmaylovsky Park metro station. Follow the crowds pass the hotels, the craft market is on the left before you enter the main market.
You will find many paintings and other crafts for sale along Krymsky val, near Gorky Park, go to Park Kultury Metro station and cross over the Krymsky most (bridge), the market is on the left once you cross the bridge.
In St Petersburg you will find many souvenir stands around the major tourist stands, you can barter at these stands, however quality of items might be in question. You will find a number of souvenir shops along Nevsky that will have good selection and better quality. Gostiny Dvor is anothe large shopping center that has a number of souvenir shops.
http://www.rus-sell.com/catalog.html
The Hermitage as well as most of the national museums have good gift shops. Many replicas of items on display in the museums. The quality of items you buy on the street can be of question unless you know something about the item.
The weekend market at Izmaylvski (Ismailovo) Park, in Moscow is one of the largest markets for crafts and you will find many artists selling their own work. Go to Izmaylovsky Park metro station. Follow the crowds pass the hotels, the craft market is on the left before you enter the main market.
You will find many paintings and other crafts for sale along Krymsky val, near Gorky Park, go to Park Kultury Metro station and cross over the Krymsky most (bridge), the market is on the left once you cross the bridge.
In St Petersburg you will find many souvenir stands around the major tourist stands, you can barter at these stands, however quality of items might be in question. You will find a number of souvenir shops along Nevsky that will have good selection and better quality. Gostiny Dvor is anothe large shopping center that has a number of souvenir shops.
Mar 5th, 2004, 05:21 AM
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Earrings from Izmaylvski (Ismailovo) Park. I wish I had bought 50 pairs! They were from $2 to $5 each. Everyone I gave them to wanted more. They appear to be just pendant earrings backed and edged in silver, but if you look more closely, you will see that the ceramic is a tiny painting.
