Buying gifts | |
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Dec 19, 2008 01:43 | |
| I understand the tradition of taking gifts when visiting, especially first time. I have huge problem and would appreciate any advice please. Next month I am off to China again but this time will be meeting my girlfriends family. Father, 3 sisters, their husbands and 4 children aged late teens/early 20s. What can I take from England as gifts, how much should I spend? HELP, please |
Dec 19, 2008 07:34 | |
| Dave, Tricky one. I try to take typically British or at least Western gifts. Chocolates, (sister adores Malteezers) Scotch Whiskey, body lotion & perfume (genuine and well know brand) and British scene calendars seem to be favourites. Also strangly, English tea bags....don't even ask ;o). If the kids are learning English they might like some English movies or documentaries on DVD. English documentaries usually have good clear English naration. I record them from TV. Currently I'm making a Chinese calendar for parents from the photos I took of family and friends this year (with a tweak of photoshop to make ma look glamourous :o) You could kill 2 birds by making a calendar of your own UK scenes. PS Staples will ring bind calendars complete with the hook part cut out. |
Dec 19, 2008 16:34 | |
| Calendars are good idea, I already have plenty printed this year but they are China images. The money side is bothering me, I dont want to give too little so they think I am poor or too much so they think I am a bit flash. seems as though good quality brands are the order but what to get is the headache. |
Dec 19, 2008 19:49 | |
| Inquire to learn if the family drinks liquor. None of my gal's family drinks save for a sip of beer...but definitely no wine and certainly not any western liquor. A friend once told me to buy gifts that I would like to get myself. I've found that a good formula, except my gal looks really silly in that nice dress I bought for her...it looked so much better on me ;-) |
Dec 20, 2008 03:33 | |
| I would keep the value quite low... 5-10 GBP max on the closest relatives and less for the others.. Not a good idea to set a high precident and it's the thought that counts ;o) Your gf should be a good guide as to who likes what. The men in my adopted family like to drink..father has 50% white wine for breakfast..... and every other meal :o- . They're a pretty hardy bunch in Heilongjiang. Other ideas might include key rings with a British theme (but try and avoid made in China :o) Something made from English lace. English leather wallet or purse. English brand cigarettes (bad but smoking is popular in China) I took everyone (including neighbours) out for a meal on the last night I was there. That seemed to go down well and was not expensive. I'll keep on thinking ........ |
Dec 20, 2008 03:45 | |
| The money side is bothering me, I dont want to give too little so they think I am poor or too much so they think I am a bit flash. seems as though good quality brands are the order but what to get is the headache. Dave, I have no better suggestion. But I think that their parents wouldn't think you are very poor if you didn't buy them very expensive gifts. Gifts are just gifts. What her parents really care about is if you are a good guy and if you can spend your whole life together with her. Just tell them what kind of person you are by your behaviours. |
Dec 20, 2008 05:27 | |
| Something from "overseas" is always looked forward to by my Chinese friends, even sugar in sachets. Maybe a few bars of Cadbury. The nieces love "After Eight". Sometimes girls prefer English "Body Shop" products which are only available in Hong Kong and Macao (for the southern provinces). Wan |
Dec 24, 2008 01:20 | |
| Hey David, I hope I am not too late in putting in my thoughts. I liked Gaffers idea of bringing some smokes. It seems every guy in China smokes, maybe a box of cigars for the father? If you have time, check out this post that had the same topic: http://community.travelchinaguide.com/forum2.asp?i=40062&page=1#R249244 |
Dec 24, 2008 01:49 | |
| No, not too late, I am going there in about 4 weeks from now. Thanks for the suggestion |
Dec 24, 2008 10:32 | |
| Meeting the parents huh? I hope you know what path this is going to lead you down lol. Not to add anymore stress, but what ever you get will determine your status with the family for quite some time, so depending on your intentions, I would select accordingly. Chinese culture also dictates that the male pays for everything including the wedding and the a dowery to the family, so start saving up. Good luck. |
Dec 24, 2008 10:52 | |
| I know about the meeting, thats why I want to make good impression. I also heard about a dowery, can you give me any idea of how much its supposed to be? |
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