Look for beauty products made by Greek makers Korres and Apivita; these are very very expensive in the US (Barney's in NYC, for example) and inexpensive in Greece. Go to almost any pharmacy to find these natural products.
My late 29 and 31 year old daughters like the olive oil soap. Interesting enough, the one my older daughter, who was in Greece a couple of years ago, preferred was the cheapest and without fancy wrapping that I picked up in a grocery store on Crete. It has something else in it as well as olive oil, an herb I forgot, and actually smells better than the "touristy" ones. I skipped the sponges since I didn't find them cheaper and one shop keeper in the Plaka told me that most of the sponges there come from Tarpon Springs, FL - about 75 mi. from where I live.
My husband collects the occasional chess set and bought one on Santorini that is done in Cycladic style - heavy brass or bronze but very unusual. We did see one like it back in Athens but only one. Most of the other sets were more common in Athens and other places. But we bought the Greek-make chess board back in Athens at the end of the trip so we wouldn't have to haul it with us.
For inexpensive gifts for women there is silver jewelry in variations of the traditional Greek key, earrings as low as 5 Euros, bracelets from 10-15 Euros up, depending on size and weight, and necklaces. Bargain for it in the Plaka. Some beautiful gold designs, too, but pricey. Also bronze reproductions of Greek sculpture, various periods.
The glass evil eyes gave me the creeps, though one shop owner threw in one along with a couple pair of silver earrings. And I bought small jars of Kalamata olive pate, though now my daughter tells me they have it in Raleigh grocery stores where she lives.
I also bought some blown glass cruets with a rounded center part for vinegar and a normal-shaped bottle blown around it for oil; you pour from one spout for vinegar and the other for oil and it looks rather interesting when full. Saw that type in a taverna in Georgiopoulis, Crete and found some for about 4 Euros, not not the heavier restaurant quality I would have liked that he said he got in Hania, in a nearby shop. I would have gotten more if I'd had room - and looked for them before I left Hania if I'd seen them there. I gave away 2 and so far 2 other people have admired mine, wished they had one. They probably have them other places than Crete. (Maybe even in stores here for all I know, but I just hope I don't run into some next week.)
My husband collects the occasional chess set and bought one on Santorini that is done in Cycladic style - heavy brass or bronze but very unusual. We did see one like it back in Athens but only one. Most of the other sets were more common in Athens and other places. But we bought the Greek-make chess board back in Athens at the end of the trip so we wouldn't have to haul it with us.
For inexpensive gifts for women there is silver jewelry in variations of the traditional Greek key, earrings as low as 5 Euros, bracelets from 10-15 Euros up, depending on size and weight, and necklaces. Bargain for it in the Plaka. Some beautiful gold designs, too, but pricey. Also bronze reproductions of Greek sculpture, various periods.
The glass evil eyes gave me the creeps, though one shop owner threw in one along with a couple pair of silver earrings. And I bought small jars of Kalamata olive pate, though now my daughter tells me they have it in Raleigh grocery stores where she lives.
I also bought some blown glass cruets with a rounded center part for vinegar and a normal-shaped bottle blown around it for oil; you pour from one spout for vinegar and the other for oil and it looks rather interesting when full. Saw that type in a taverna in Georgiopoulis, Crete and found some for about 4 Euros, not not the heavier restaurant quality I would have liked that he said he got in Hania, in a nearby shop. I would have gotten more if I'd had room - and looked for them before I left Hania if I'd seen them there. I gave away 2 and so far 2 other people have admired mine, wished they had one. They probably have them other places than Crete. (Maybe even in stores here for all I know, but I just hope I don't run into some next week.)
Interesting post, Polly. I do have some "good" news for you. (I hope you don't consider it bad news! ) I've bought that o&v cruet in the US. I have the one with the grape cluster enclosed for vinegar, but they also sold the round. I have seen mine in gourmet food shops in New England. (Bought it at Flaming Gourmet in Kennebunkport, Maine.)
Hope this helps with your gift list!
Hope this helps with your gift list!
Why am I not surprised, Dreamer? Probably made in China - I didn't check and have now thrown the box away. I did figure I'd keep my eye out for another one or two here. Although I'm going back to Greece next May, I'd just as soon not bring more home if I can get them here - not heavy but certainly bulky and we travel light. What I'd really like is to find the heavier one like they had in the restaurant in Georgioupoli. Probably from a restaurant supply place. Wonder how you say "restaurant supply place" in Greek?
get a brass coffee mill and use it as a peppercorn grinder. they aare excellent for this and come in several different ssizes. the greek ones are much better made than the turkish ones
Hi
In a small shop in Plaka I bought a ceramic dish hand painted, copying an ancient Greek design. The owner (who was also the artist) assured me mine was an ancient design and produced a reference book with the full history of the work. The piece was the size of a dinner plate and cost me €40. I've got mine hanging on the wall and catches my eye frequently. One of the main advantages of this sort of gift is that it packs flat in your suitcase.
Details of the shop:
Name: Artists Work Shop
Address: 7-15 Pandrossou St Athens
Phone: (+30) 210 32 40 988
In a small shop in Plaka I bought a ceramic dish hand painted, copying an ancient Greek design. The owner (who was also the artist) assured me mine was an ancient design and produced a reference book with the full history of the work. The piece was the size of a dinner plate and cost me €40. I've got mine hanging on the wall and catches my eye frequently. One of the main advantages of this sort of gift is that it packs flat in your suitcase.
Details of the shop:
Name: Artists Work Shop
Address: 7-15 Pandrossou St Athens
Phone: (+30) 210 32 40 988
I bought what was purported to be (though I doubt it) a hand made linen tablecloth with fringed ends. It's quite lovely.
I also got 22 carat gold earrings, a small icon of St. John on Patmos, and an English translation of <i>The Illiad</i>.
I also got 22 carat gold earrings, a small icon of St. John on Patmos, and an English translation of <i>The Illiad</i>.
Find *that* in the US !Last year in Santorini, I bought two beautiful silver eggs with icons molded in a sculptured relief. They were available in various sizes, and either religiously-themed or decorated with figures from Greek myths or ancient history. They have a little base on the bottoms so they are free-standing. I really LOVE these, and did not see them anywhere else.
