The bear claw salad utensils are neat- they're wooden and shaped like two bear claws.

My significant other loves to cook so I purchased him a really nice ulu that I picked out from this shop outside of Seward that now has a proud place on a little stand in our kitchen:
I.R.B.I. Custom Alaska Knives
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ew-431527.html

Owner is really friendly; my friends and I lingered in the shop for some time talking to her. If you happen to like the Rolling Stones, ask to hear her story of their visit to the tiny shop.

Ditto on the Native Hospital - they have the real stuff - high quality and fairly priced - that's where we send our guests to shop if they want something special.

For someone to spend many thousands of dollars to come to Alaska on their dream vacation only to buy Chinese made 'Alaskan' souvenirs is something I just cannot understand.

Native peoples spend many hours crafting baskets, ivory carvings, and other high quality pieces of art which helps them earn extra money for themselves, their families and their villages. And by doing so, they are passing on traditions so often lost to many other indigenous cultures. Buying their wares allows them to pass on those trades from generation to generation.

For non-native artwork, shop the Saturday market in downtown Anchorage for a lot of local handicraft.

Something edible is the easiest - and most appreciated.

Adult children loved salmon jerky and salmonberry preserves (it's made of berries that have no salmon taste!) Also I got some local coffee and dark chocolate they raved about.

Coffee trees in Alaska? Who knew?

Dukey, I couldn't believe it myself! They sold coffee in the store with "local produce only".

Maybe the migrating salmon brings the beans along, you know, like that coffee that goes through the cat's body, very expensive :))

Went in 2005 and returning in 1 week!

Seward -- the gift shop in the Marine Aquatic Museum has many nice gifts -- we especially liked the etched glass mugs (in that beautiful cobalt blue and emerald green). I bought the puffins motifs -- sister bought the moose and I have to say they wash up great in the dishwasher. Buy at least 2 -- you won't regret it.

Anchorage -- if you are there on Sat/Sun they have the tent markets. We bought 2 items here from the local craft persons.

First item: Ornaments made from glacial clay designed and crafted by native people. I bought an "eagle" since I had an eagle fly 10 feet over my head and I was able to capture it on film. Inexpensive and they will pack it in styrofoam cup to protect it.

Second item: Daughter always has cold feet -- so when we spotted the beaver skin slippers -- tried them on and bought a pair secretly hoping they wouldn't fit her and I could keep them for myself. Well guess what? She loved them and wore them such that the insides are worn out. She wants another pair. They are not inexpensive but I have to say -- they were a really great gift and considering how much they were used -- well worth the money. I am definately looking forward to the market again this year and this time I am getting a pair for me!

Probably the most unusual item I purchased in Alasma was a carving made from fossilized wooly mammoth. I bought mine in Juneau, but this website shows you some examples: http://www.alaskanvillagearts.com/Fo...y_carvings.htm

If you get an ulu knife, I recommend you buy a good one with a board. They're wonderful for mincing herbs and doing other fine chopping as long as you have a good blade. A lot of stuff that's sold there isn't very sharp.

Wow, thanks for all the replies! I had heard about the ulu knives and I'm definitely planning bringing back some unique berry preserves. For myself I typically look for a necklace, some kind of local arts or crafts and food (For example my last big trip was to Spain and I brought home a majorica pearl pendant, a beautiful handmade fan from Seville and Creme de Catalana-creme brulee flavored liquor!). I always like to ask this question as I've gotten many great ideas that I may not have heard of while perusing travel guides and websites. This is also somewhat of a budget trip to Alaska-if there is such a thing- so I will not be too terribly disappointed if all I come back with are my memories, some muddy hiking boots and a ton of photos!

Gail ~
The reason is that churches used to have big doors with big locks, with equally large keys. Churchkeys (the real ones) are often oversized hunks of metal, kinda like churchkeys, the bottle-opening kind.

I had to look this up - I really never wondered why...

Here in the south, bottle openers are known as "church keys" because we have many Baptist churches, who don't approve of drinking alcoholic beverages, and so people call beer openers "church keys" as a joke.

My husband brought back a mini totem pole for me.

I bought an ulu knife and it is fantastic - much easier on the hands than a regular knife. make sure you get one that is made there and not one of the made in China cheapies.

I also found a lot of artists/jewellers (especially in Ketchikan)and bought a beautiful necklace made from glacier glass - LOTS of compliments.

Have fun

I did my "shopping" from the day I arrived - looked at the stuff and decided what I wanted and how much it was.

I ended up bringing back lots of ULU knives and chopping boards. I got them at The Ulu Factory in Anchorage where you can learn more about them and see them made. I also got one at the Anchorage Saturday market that was made by a local artist with a lovely wood handle. I use mine all the time, great for cutting frozen chicken and filetting fish.

I got my niece and nephew wooden sunglasses from another place in/near anchorage. It was a tourist trap (with the "Worlds Tallest Chocolate Waterfall") but fun (and the food was great!).

Since I do a lot of bead work and beading is VERY popular there, I also got some jade beads and some mammoth bone beads.

It was also salmon season so I lugged back two whole salmon that were packed so well, the ice packs were still partially frozen when I unpacked them (bought them shortly before my flight back to the east coast)

First - in Alaska, there is a symbolk if the stores sell real Alaska created crafts, and I always looked for that. My favorite souvenirs (and I bought alot of stuff) were some earrings made by local craftsman (made with turquoise, gold and wooly mammoth tusk - not at all inexpensive, but absolutely gorgeous), I got hand made Christmas ornaments, a very cook doll and some beautiful pottery.

We like to go to the local university bookstore and purchase t-shirts. Great gifts for young adults.