When you go to visit relatives abroad or expect a foreign friend, you do not need to puzzle over a gift for a long time. About what souvenir to give to a foreigner is described in this article. Cool ideas and useful tips for choosing the best gift will help to really please a guest from abroad.
Delicious presents
For those who do not know what to give as a souvenir of Russia, you should pay attention to domestic sweets. The list of the most popular and beloved sweet gifts by foreigners includes:
- Belevskaya pastila - delicious and tender. You can buy it in almost all hypermarkets. Traditionally, it is made with apple flavor, but there are also new ones with cranberries or currants.
- Chocolate. Chocolate "Alenka" is traditionally presented. It is she who is associated by foreigners with the chocolate industry in Russia.
- Tula gingerbread - the most delicious sweets in Russia. Also theyare the unchanging symbol of Tula.
- Honey. This locally produced product is considered the tastiest in the world. A jar of honey will save you from the uncertainty of what to give a foreigner as a souvenir from Russia.
- Jar of jam. Only in Russia they know how to cook real raspberry jam. A jar of this yummy from a personal cellar will conquer any guest of the country. And to make the gift even more enjoyable, it should be beautifully packaged and decorated with a name tag.
- Pickles from a personal cellar. There may be pickles or tomatoes, sauerkraut and other delights. Foreign guests will definitely appreciate this gift.
- Wine. Crimean wines are highly valued both in Russia and abroad. Such a gift will be a pleasant aftertaste of a long-awaited meeting.
- Pine nuts are not only very tasty, but also he althy. As you know, foreign comrades appreciate it very much.
Don't know what to give a foreign man? In this case, a jar of red caviar will be a win-win option.
Clothes
Thoughts about what souvenir to give to a foreigner often do not lead to a final decision. So, in order for the gift to be not only beautiful, but also useful, you should give items of clothing. It is with most of them that foreigners associate Russia. In the list of such useful souvenirs:
- Beautiful and very warm Pavloposad or Orenburg downy shawls.
- Modern and somewhat modernized felt boots.
- Warm and cozy mittens from localembroidery.
- Sweatshirt with "I love Russia" print.
Any of these gifts will be a warm and pleasant memory of cold and hospitable Russia.
Kitchenware
All people spend some time in the kitchen. Therefore, the gifts that will be stored in this room will remind you of themselves daily. The list of the most popular souvenirs of this type includes:
- Painted dishes - it can be Gzhel or Khokhloma.
- Clay pots - presenting such a present, you should also write a recipe.
- Imperial porcelain - a legendary set with a great history, will be the best answer to the question of what to give a foreigner.
- Birch bark dishes are another local piece of furniture. A foreign guest can be recommended to store sugar in it. During each tea party, a foreigner will remember his giver and enjoy a wonderful gift.
- The samovar is a true Russian souvenir. He is one hundred percent thought of Russia. Now not only traditional samovars are sold, but also electric ones. In this regard, foreigners can not only enjoy its incredibly beautiful and unusual appearance, but also arrange real Russian tea parties.
Souvenirs for the soul
Matryoshka is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about what to give a foreigner. From Russia, this is the best traditional souvenir. Painted doll with beautiful eyes and rosy cheeks. Surprising for the guests of Russia is its unusual composition. Inside the matryoshka there are six more similar dolls according to the "one in one" principle. The demand for nesting dolls among foreigners is simply colossal. In this regard, it becomes obvious that such a gift will bring only positive emotions to its owner.
But nesting dolls are not the only favorite souvenir. A gift in the form of a beautifully illustrated book with Russian folk tales will also win the heart of a foreign guest. He may not be able to read it, but he will definitely review the most beautiful illustrations more than once. Calendars, painted boxes, porcelain dolls - this is also not worth leaving aside.
Purely masculine gifts
In this case, we are talking about the three main attributes of a Russian peasant. This association was invented by foreigners themselves, but the Russians actively support this idea. The top 3 men's gifts from Russia include:
- Hat with earflaps. Now on the street it is unlikely that you will be able to meet a person walking in this headdress. The Russians left him during the Soviet Union. Perhaps in the remote villages there are still grandfathers in such hats, but they cannot be found in the city. But in souvenir shops, this accessory is presented in a variety of variations.
- Vodka. Foreigners are sure that Russians cannot live without this strong drink. In order for them to understand that it is impossible to drink it all the time, such a gift should be presented to the guest. Having tried it, he will understand all the delights of Russian life.
- Balalaika. You don't have to be a musician to have this musical instrument in your home. For a long time, guests of Russia believe that bears with balalaikas walk the streets here.
These three pillars of male gift giving will conquer any foreigner.
How to wrap a gift
Beautiful packaging is the key to a successful presentation. After the decision of what to give a foreigner as a keepsake is made, you should think about packaging. For example, when packing sweets and books, you should pay attention to kraft paper. A gift wrapped in it should be tied with twine, under which you can put a postcard with local beauties. Larger gifts can be placed in a wicker basket tied with a bow. Such a presentation will not leave indifferent any foreigner, while the packaging will be very useful in everyday life. If it is decided to pack the gift in an ordinary holiday package, then there is a way to surprise a foreigner. You can tie a note with warm wishes to the handle of the package. When decorating gift boxes, preference should be given to cones and nuts.
What not to give
If for Russians all gifts are good, or, as the old proverb says, "you don't look a gift horse in the mouth", then the situation with foreign guests is much more serious. Knowing what you can give a foreigner can protect you from a lot of trouble. Hereseveral important features of the mentality of the inhabitants of other states:
- Packaging. It is not necessary for a Chinese friend to present a gift in blue or white packaging. They have this color is mourning. For the same reason, you can not pack a gift for a Brazilian in purple, and for a Japanese in red paper.
- The number of flowers in the bouquet. Although it is customary to give an odd number of flowers abroad, the number 13 in this matter is unacceptable. For the Austrians, a bouquet of 12 flowers would be unsuitable, for Italians from 17, and for the Japanese from 4 and 9.
- Toy. There is a strict restriction at the legislative level for residents of Malaysia. They should not be given toys in the form of dogs and pigs, as there are many Muslims in the country who consider these representatives of the animal world to be unclean.
- Writing notes. South Korean friends are not allowed to sign notes or write messages in red ink. They will take it as a gesture to end the relationship.
These rules are extremely simple, but only the slightest non-observance of them can dramatically change the relationship with a foreigner.
Typical presents
For those on a tight budget, souvenir shops offer a wide range of products. The most popular souvenir is a fridge magnet. You can also buy a pen with a symbolic inscription or a calendar with the image of your favorite city. T-shirts featuring local landmarks will also get you excited.
