It's entirely possible she owns a camera, janis. That's why I said she may not think to bring it. I own a pretty good camera but I often either choose not to take it on trips or (more often than not) I forget it. If she's going to buy a camera in the US, so what? So her host has spent a couple of bucks on a disposable that won't get used. She's only coming for a week and it sounds like much of her time is planned. Maybe she won't have time for serious camera shopping.

Like WillTravel, I don't understand the negative responses here. No one is saying she's a little country mouse who doesn't understand big city ways (or own a camera). Her host is just trying to be thoughtful and plan a few little treats for her. I guess there shouldn't be flowers in her bedroom because they have flowers in Russia.

janisj, your experiences are probably with tourists. This woman is not coming here for a vacation.

I vote for a box of local chocolates.

You are the host, you've already offered a gesture of kindness by allowing this person to stay in your home.

The visitor should be bringing you a gift.

Not trying to implying anything, but just because the guest is from Russia doesn't mean she needs/wants things from America.

Don't over-do it; what may be seen as friendliness/kindness to Americans may not be seen that way by other cultures. Just my two cents. ;-)

I would imagine a special ed teacher in Russia does not draw a fantastic salary any more than the special ed teacher's in the US do, and from what I understand about salaries in Russia no doubt she is paid very poorly. I have family members via marriage that are from Russia and they are no different than we are in the US basically. Kindness and some treats given with thoughtfulness is always appreciated.

What the person has been exposed to really depends on where in Russia they are from. Although many big cities in Russia have Ikea now and are exposed to many Western products (although we very few American products here). And we don't have head lettuce here, only leaf lettuce, thankfully (I hate head lettuce).

One thing that is unusual is any kind of peanut butter candy since we don't have that here. Some Russian really like peanut butter, others do not, since they are not used to it. Other than that, there is not too much that is unique about America that I can think of sharing. Everything is MUCH cheaper in America, so she'll probably want to do some shopping.

An American living in Moscow

Anything you would think of to make an American feel at home and comfortable: chocolates, water, a few magazines, warm socks, fresh flowers, small toiletries. Remember that if she wants Russian things she has those at home, and if she needs something special you can take her shopping. The fun of visiting another country and staying in our homes is experiencing OUR culture. Enjoy her stay and the diversity of cultures.

I attended a function in Pittsburgh recently and the hostess supplied all the out of town guests with gift bags containing small tokens of the city. A couple little souvenir type things, maybe pencils and paper with the name of the city or a local team, some local candies, maps and information about sights to visit. It was a nice touch.

The way the OP was written sounded as if you were going to introduce someone from a primitive society to things they had never seen before (not true of anyone from a major city in Russia - some things may be expensive - but anything is available).

I must say that I was worried about worried too.
I remembering shuddering when somebody gave a goody bag for a French student with a lady's shaver and deodorant.
A nice bunch of flowers is quite enough.

I have no idea how you (or others) got that idea from how the OP was written. I assumed it was souvenir items.

I guess I'm not as easily offended as some of you. If I were a guest in someone's home in Russia and they put together a basket of stuff for me, I'd think they were being generous and thoughtful, even if the stuff wasn't quite on the mark. (If they put a lady's shaver and deodorant in the basket, I'd think oh good! and I'd put it in my suitcase to take home.)

Just a cute, applicable story: When we moved to the US (New Jersey, from Toronto) while my SO did his graduate work, we got a letter from a local family who had obviously signed up with Princeton to be mentors and friends to foreign students. They offered to help us (as foreign students, which we actually were) find our way around, learn American customs, etc. We thought it was funny but sweet and kind. We called (or maybe wrote, I don't remember) to thank them and say that there were probably students from farther away who needed this more than we did. But we certainly weren't offended.

once again we see that flanny has some very bizarre thoughts on gift giving. any american trying to give a gift to a non-american just can't get it right no matter what.

flanny's twisted rules for giving gifts to foreigners:

1. if you give them something you are implying that they cannot get it in their home country. even if they really can't get it in their home country, you are implying that they are a provincial who doesn't travel out of their home country. presumably with an attitude that only americans travel and the rest of the world is too poor to travel(thereby displaying typical american arrogance and ignorance).

2. if you give them something american you are implying that american things are better than other peoples' things. this is ironic because other peoples' things are better than american things. americans should not give american things because it's more american arrogance and ignorance.

3. if you give a gift of art or literature, you are implying that other people are more stupid than americans. this is arrogant and also ironic because americans are more stupid.

4. (my personal favourite) don't give, for example, a frenchman something american that is not available in france, because the french don't like anything that is not available in france.

flanner's thoughts on this are based on a single incident half a century ago and from a child's point of view -- obviously an incident that made a lifelong impression on him (although maybe it's time to let that one go, flanner). Hard to give that any credence, though, when it comes to the OP's question.

This whole thread should be filed under 'no good deed goes unpunished'.

I doubt a 27 year old Russian female guest would be interested in cookies/chocolate (she might think the Russian ones are better than the US since chocolate tastes different in different countries) since they mostly are concerned with their figures and watch what they eat and what they wear. Alot are not very adventurous and not that interested in trying new things eg peanut butter candies. Even flowers can be tricky because flowers given in even numbers are "for the dead".

Unfortunately what we think would be very nice to receive (even if a little off the mark) is not what the average Russian might think since they think very differently to us.

Might be best to decide once the guest is in the home and make a judgment then on what souvenirs to give them to take home.

I am so appreciative to each of you that offered such kind and thoughtful comments and suggestions. Sadly it is appalling to reach such negative comments made by fellow Fodorites. It is clear whose host or hostess would go the extra mile in an effort to make a foreign guest feel special.

I dont think anyone here would be a poor host, just different ideas what suitable gifts are. I remember as kids we took some exchange students to Tower records where they LOVED it and spent all their money there. Hence we were in big trouble from the host family for taking them there. The guestd loved us, but the families didnt.

A more recent example is: We had a E European client that we wanted dearly to impress. After a week of special care the best event of the trip was going to Home Depot and fixing some plumbing at our office.

I guess all you can do is be yourself

I think Nikki had the best idea, if this is just to give them souvenirs of their trip, it should be just a few random souvenir-type things. Other things are truly weird in my opinion, to be giving them to guests when you are the hostess (eg, the suggestion to give them a pair of warm socks????)

FrankS, your post reminded me of my cousin's visit last year. He lives on a boat in Europe. We took him to Costco and Home Depot, and he went nuts.

Oh, I didn't see this thread before. Stop thinking from American point of view! The best gift for her would be something that she can show off, either display or wear when she gets back.

Nothing edible - it won't last. Besides, russian chocolate is euroean chocolate, no offense, but US chocolate cannot compete. Odin covered the flowers, totally agree

As all you know is her gender and age... I would go with inexpensive jewelry. Or/and local souvenirs. Cosmetics, perhaps.

As for camera... if a film camera - will she have money to develop the film? if a digital camera - does she even own a computer?

"As for camera... if a film camera - will she have money to develop the film?"

Dayenu,
that's why I suggested a disposable -- it's not much of a waste if she brings her own camera and her hosts can develop the film for her after she leaves and send her the pics as a souvenir of her visit.

Can I also suggest that you include something she can take home to her son once you find out a bit about him (age, skills, likes and dislikes, etc.)

oh. I just skimmed back over the posts -- I don't know why I thought she had a son. Maybe she just works with the kids. In any case, if she has a child of her own, my suggestion still stands.

For goodness sake.
If I were entertaining a professional woman from the US, I wouldn't give her a goody bag with cheap jewellery and a cheap camera.
I'd leave a nice bunch of flowers in her room and possibly a London A to Z.
This Russian teacher will surely bring her own digital camera.
It's more likely that she will be the one bringing gifts to you.
Take her around, show her the sights and give her a good time.