What should I ask for from China??

[laughsandlaughs]

My in-laws are making a trip to China and I thought perhaps I should put a bug in their ear about what to bring me back as a souvenir (and my 3 year old daughter too).....any thoughts on something nice/useful I should request? Leaving it up to chance could be risky.....:rolleyes:

Thanks so much!
elizabeth

[Blissful_in_TX]

You should get them to bring back some squeaky shoes for your daughter! I've never seen them, but I hear about them all the time, and they're something you can't get here. :) And I haven't been yet, but I've been keeping notes from what other people have said they were glad they got, so here's that list:

ART
• 1 piece of large art work for their home
• charcoal picture from Sherry's
• granite picture from Sherry's / granite etching. It takes a couple of days for the etching to be ready but they are such a bargain and just lovely. Order them the first day. Take a photo of your child and they will copy it.
• framed antique embroidery that we purchased at A Gift From China in Guangzhou
• calligraphy done with all the kids names and adoption dates, birth dates
• I wish we had bought more of the beautiful, amazing double-sided Embroidery from Hunan
• two water color paintings we splurged on from the art gallery in the White Swan. I carried them home rolled up and had them framed at home.
• silk tapestries depicting life in the area. (Guangdong).

JEWELRY
• jade and pearl necklaces and bracelets - I wish we had bought more
• jade pendant that I bought (a "lifesaver" shaped disc).
• pearl ear rings
• pear necklace / Pearls for each daughter
• jade bracelet
• a jade carving of their zodiac sign
• a necklace with the zodiac sign

CLOTHES
• squeaky shoes
• girls silk jackets
• we had silk dresses and tops made
• a lot of mandarin dresses in many colors and different sizes.
MISC
• handkerchiefs for my daughters with blue embroidery on it for their wedding day (something blue).
• two dozen nice cloisonné Christmas ornament to give as Christmas gifts!!
• real Cloisonne vase for $90 from the factory I toured since a lot of the stuff in markets is junk or was much higher price
• the stamp with my name in chinese--I use it on Christmas cards and other invites for fun. The key on stamps is to get a good quality (Most stamps are soft stone that is carved with a knife and not a saw). The saw cut stamps are more durable than a stone that is carved with a pocketknife
• kites
• a mahjong set
• wick holder (antique wall pocket type thing) from “A Gift From China" store in Guangzhou
• silver chop sticks / cloisonné chopsticks
• porcelain vase / wish I would have splurged on a larger cloissone vase
• little hand painted snuff bottles

[Blissful_in_TX]

Oh another note, I've heard so many people say they wished they got more artwork for their home. If your in-laws are interested in that, they should bring along a mailing tube to carry it safely back. Also bring lots of ziploc bags, tape and packing bubbles for wrapping delicate items! How fun, now I wish I was going too!

[pointerhaven]

I asked for Pearls. My friend went and brought me an Opera Lenght necklace that I wear quite often, and a black pearl necklace that is about 17" long. I love them both.

A really small petit necklace for your daughter could be a real treasure that she can keep forever.

[wallycat]

When I went, I got some silk items and pearls. Also a few jade trinkets...I am not up on my jade and what was authentic or not.
In Hong Kong, I picked up some really nice jewelry.

Maybe they can ship back some foodie things like a rice cooker or wok or something but not sure if it is just as easy to get in asian stores locally.

Hope they have fun!

[kcmo727]

You should get them to bring back some squeaky shoes for your daughter! I've never seen them, but I hear about them all the time, and they're something you can't get here. :)



Sorry to hijack this thread but you can get those shoes here, thru the net. They are so cute!

http://www.chinadirectstore.com/squeaky_shoes.htm

[aggie94]

Our favorite souvenirs were jade jewelry and carvings, pearls, silk items (purses/coin purses, scarves, jewelry pouches, etc. -- clothes are very hard to buy for someone else as the sizing is very different there), tea, and cloisonne. We really wish we had picked up more cloisonne pieces than we did.

Also, with the 2008 Olympics on the horizon, there are a ton of Olympic souvenirs and memorabilia that will be unique that I would think a 3-year old girl would really enjoy, like plush dolls of the Five Friendlies (the mascots of the Olympics). If your in-laws are anywhere near Beijing, they will be easy to find.

http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceee/eng/ztlm/bj2008nayh/W020051115702037971689.jpg

[Debralynn]

You can buy squeaky shoes on this website: They are sooo cute!!
Debbie :)


http://www.chinadirectstore.com/squeaky_shoes.htm

[Jessnc]

A friend of mine went to China last year to adopt her son and she brought me back a lovely pearl necklace. She said they are very reasonably priced in China and are of good quality.