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Q: Souvenir suggestions ? 'at least 3 words'
I actually may travel to the States this summer to visit with family. I have been mentally conditioned throughout my lifetime to bring souvenirs as gifts. Personally, I think that this should just be for interesting places people visit, as opposed to someplace where one has been living for years. Anyway, I'll probably not follow my own rule and get everyone back home a souvenir from glorious (strange) MK.
I thought maybe forum could put some ideas out there as I really can't think of anything. Last time, about 5 years ago, I brought my older sister some fancy chopsticks. She looked at them, smiled, and probably stuck them in the back of a drawer where they sit to this day.
One thing that makes this a bit more difficult is that their interest level in China/Asia is probably around 0% out of 100%.
I think this idea list could be useful for all of us returning to see friends/family, so any type & price-range is cool.
*it said my question must contain 'at least 3 words'.
China zodiac golden gifts.... pretty cool things, I bought five for family last time I went home, but now I can't find them online. the little gold flake things aren't that expensive.
Dragon: 12LY021: For small size, we only have ABS base in stock, and the price is 320RMB/Pc . For bigger size: only Wood base in stock, and the price is
680RMB/PC. If you place bulk order, we could offer crystal base.
2) Horse : weath golden horse is out of stock, and we recommend you model: LY508 with crystal base to replace, let me know if that is ok for you.
3) Monkey: ok with crystal base
http://www.kesai.en.alibaba.com/search/product?SearchText=gold
the 100 minimum order is BS ... I bought 5
Tea is a timeless favorite. But if people aren't into that:
There is also jewelry. You can find very fine stuff for a bargain in the right places. .925 silver chopsticks are still worth their weight in silver even if people don't use them. Or you find cool chips of .999 gold with nice cultural cravings and stuff. If you care/have the budget, some providers can even make you your own designs. My wedding ring is made of rose gold (copper, gold and a bit of silver) from a 3D file I designed. That's the kind of stuff you find mostly in China. Just find a reliable store.
diverdude1:
yeah, I had my eye on those silver & gold ingots/coins/doo-dads that BoC sells. I was hoping to hear from someone who has bought this before. I'm wondering if they felt it was a fair deal, that is, not too much of a crazy mark-up.
RiriRiri:
BOC is above market prices (50% above) but worriless, obviously.
All the big names (周大福, 六福 and such) are also above market but they are reliable. Best choice for a start.
If you have a legit 中国黄金 (China Gold) in a mall where you live, they usually have nice bargains by the gram.
Or you can try the Internet lottery.
These days you get 1g of gold for 250 (lucky bastard) to 350RMB and 100g of silver for 450 (lucky bastard) to 800RMB.
RiriRiri:
Oh and something else, if you know chess players (or any other classic games but I'm a chess lover), this is as good as it looks http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.334.h6i73P&id=1607150742&ns=1&abbucket=0#detail
Handmade, wood and resin. Even smells like good wood.
Paper-cuts (you can buy a book of them). Qipao for the (younger) women or cross-dressers on your list. Some people collect cans, so Chinese Coke cans are cool.
Funny Chinese shirts (there was a site that sold shirts with funny Chinese expressions on them but I cannot find the link at present).
Hand-held fans, coins, silk clothing.
diverdude1:
haha, great idea! I'll bring my older brother a Qipao as a gag gift! he would love a good excuse to kick my ass 
Im in the same boat, Other than my mom, the rest couldnt give a damn about China, so I try to find things that are actual gifts, with at least a tiny bit of China flair.
For exmaple a Xiao Mi phone, pretty cheap here, and he cant get it there. They can show off their strange Chinese tech.
Things like knockoff ipads for the little kids for games, doesnt need to be super high level or anything they are like 5 and in Canada my sister would need to buy them both Ipads or samsungs which isnt gonna happen. Here they can have their own.
one of those cameras for your car to record accidents and shit and it has a screen in the reivew mirror. Super cheap here but super expensive back home.
Its a bit pricey but theres only one sort of luxury chinese brand called Shanghai Tang. , bags for the girls or ties,
shit like that, things they may actually want but never actually buy but still has some chinese flavour. Or just copy bags. Get them fake LV bags, they will either love it and never tell anyone its fake or its like an ironic gift, they can show off the fake Chinese prada. ( if its ironic then make sure its cheap and poop quality)
I always bring t-shirts, everytime through out out the year that I see really poor quality fakes or chinglish i snatch them up. My brother absolutely loves his Galvin Flein T-shirt.
Super wierd snacks, they dont last, but its better than chopsticks in a drawer ( I have also fallen victim)
Every family is different but I try to think about how people back home perceive China, usually really strange, or cheap goods and then I try to capitalize on that,
diverdude1:
good advice. I don't know why knock-off designer purses never occured to me. most on my list are female. But can u get thru US customs with knock-offs ??
mike695ca:
yes, not too many, but you can. Ive done it, and if you have ever been to a night market in Hk and seen the hundreds of girls at any given time buying them, no one else seems to be having a problem.
When my mom came last year she brought back...4??? 3-5 anyways. no issues at all.
mike695ca:
Haha if your looking to save money, I wouldnt. All the bags on Temple street come from Guangdong, youll find them cheaper in Dong Men
But for convenience or atmosphere, Temple street is the best bet for surediverdude1:
I'm the kinda guy who's never been to Dong men and would never go. I'm not a prude in all things, but just was never into strip-clubs/ktv in china or anywhere else. I'm an old fashioned guy who'd rather sit in a pub and play a game of darts.
I do like Temple Street for the atmosphere and 'hairy crabs' lol. and I'll be flying out of HKIA. but probably save money on the souvenirs like u said at women's world in hua qiang bei.
China zodiac golden gifts.... pretty cool things, I bought five for family last time I went home, but now I can't find them online. the little gold flake things aren't that expensive.
Dragon: 12LY021: For small size, we only have ABS base in stock, and the price is 320RMB/Pc . For bigger size: only Wood base in stock, and the price is
680RMB/PC. If you place bulk order, we could offer crystal base.
2) Horse : weath golden horse is out of stock, and we recommend you model: LY508 with crystal base to replace, let me know if that is ok for you.
3) Monkey: ok with crystal base
http://www.kesai.en.alibaba.com/search/product?SearchText=gold
the 100 minimum order is BS ... I bought 5
the hand fan "shanza" can have pretty good artwork for ladies and also put on the wall as a decoration.
