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-   -   Unique gifts from the Caribbean? (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/unique-gifts-from-the-caribbean-631877/)

JAGIRL Jul 18th, 2006 09:02 AM

Unique gifts from the Caribbean?
 
So the question is always asked,

"What kinds of gifts shall I take back home from xxxxxx for my friends and family? We want something that is unique."

So o.k. all you well traveled Island experts, what kind of gifts did you take back home for family &amp; friends from the <font color="orange">Car<font color="blue">ibb<font color="green">ean<font color="black"> ? :)

I once took a little bottle of sand &amp; bottled &quot;Caribbean Sea&quot; for a cousin who lives in Canada. I was visiting her in winter. :) She still has those two bottles to this day!



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bobludlow Jul 18th, 2006 10:18 AM

Rum, of course.

VegasM Jul 18th, 2006 11:24 AM

Rum Cake from Tortuga Rum Co. in Grand Cayman - but also found it in Turks and Caicos as well.

JAGIRL Jul 18th, 2006 11:33 AM

From Jamaica :
Walkerswood Jerk seasoning. They now have a Rum Jerk Seasoning.

Anything by &quot;Starfish&quot; - starapple, mango, tangerine scented soaps.

Blue Mountain coffee candles. They smell soooo good!

Tia Maria coffee Liqueur.

Those Rum cakes (so neatly packaged for travel) and of course...Jablum (Blue Mountain) coffee.

Anything from Wassi art pottery.

mymoosie Jul 18th, 2006 11:53 AM

Another vote for rum cakes! Yummm! =9

Rum balls from USVI

Susie's Hot Sauce from Antigua
Gilly Gobinet art prints from Antigua

Sea glass jewelry from Anna's Art Gallery in T&amp;C
Turks &amp; Caicos roasted coffee
Hand-woven baskets from Middle Caicos

OldSouthernBelle Jul 18th, 2006 01:01 PM

Cruzan Rum and the Hook bracelets are great...shop around to get a good price. I wear mine all the time!

iw Jul 18th, 2006 01:27 PM

Boring ol' us.....t-shirts and rum!

tivertonhouse Jul 18th, 2006 01:46 PM

Where I live in the States, Appleton Rums are only 25-50 cents more in price than Jamaica, so not worth brining back. Instead: Handmade tin nutmeg graters and whole nutmegs with the mace still on -- less than US$1. Logwood honey, passionfruit syrup from local supermarkets, freshly-parched coffee beans from local growers hit the spot for friends. I buy good non-touristic art, paintings and carvings, often commissioned sicne most sources on island are tourist-carvings and paintings and ,tho I can rarely find, 19th cen.Jamaican furniture. Framed photos often also make the best gifts/memories.

bluefan Jul 18th, 2006 01:57 PM

jamaican blue mountain coffee and cuban cigars (i know it's illegal, so it makes it that more meaningful to certain friends 8-))

Canuck_at_Canada_eh Jul 18th, 2006 05:03 PM

Well, considering how often I'm in Cuba, my best gift for friends is some nice Cuban Cigars.

We sit around the backyard and enjoy one of life's great pleasures. A fine cigar, a drink and some great conversation.

JAGIRL Jul 18th, 2006 05:21 PM

hey <font color="red">canuck</font>,

Your Cuba expertise is needed on the Caribbean thread : <font color="blue"> &quot;Weather between Xmas and New Years and a few more ???&quot; </font>

travelenthusiast Jul 20th, 2006 06:14 PM

What about Guavaberry liquor from St Martin?

JAGIRL Jul 20th, 2006 06:28 PM

nutmeg graters...hmmmm...never thought of that one Tiverton.

I have a friend that can't get enough bottles of &quot;Ting&quot; soda. :)Everytime I visit her I'm compelled to take a couple bottles.

vinceygirl Jul 21st, 2006 03:01 AM

Erica's Hotsauce

skbfan Jul 21st, 2006 07:37 AM

In St. Kitts you must purchase batik and Brinley Gold Mango Rum!


publisher Jul 22nd, 2006 08:24 AM

We always buy locally crafted gifts from island artists and craftspeople.

They preserve the culture.

Check out this lifestyle and culture site for info and ideas
www.virginvoices.com

joan Jul 22nd, 2006 08:46 AM

Bahamian baskets.
Nevis straw rugs.
Grenada spices.
CD's from island musicians.
Local hot sauce.
Artwork!

JAGIRL Jul 22nd, 2006 01:30 PM

joan, how do you pack those straw rugs?

PandyB Jul 23rd, 2006 09:39 AM

We stayed at the Turks and Caicos CLub on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (the main island) and brought home really pretty conch bowls with spoons.

mahobaygirl Jul 23rd, 2006 01:02 PM

My neice brought me one of those conch bowls with a spoon! I think she got it on a cruise to the Bahamas.
On STJ, I always stop by Freebird, great jewelry and great prices. A stop at St. John Spice and some Blind Betty's hot sauce. Got a local painting from this sort of homeless artist in Coral Bay. Pretty funny story I will tell sometime.

But the most original thing I found was a keychain in Vieques. Someone took beer caps and filled them with resin and put these colorful sequins and a medal of St.Christopher (the patron of travel) inside! I bought one and everyone at home had to have one!!!


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