<p>As momrath suggested, things that are associated with death/dying/funeral/mourning will not be a good thing to give, e.g., clocks, white wrappers, candles, etc. I doubt if they would make a fuss if they receive the gift and may just wave it off as something foreigners would do. They may also be westernized enough not to think much of the traditional ideas. You may want to check up on some of those customs to be on the safe side.</p>
<p>Regarding See’s chocolates-not available in the midwest (sigh) But I’ve seen them for sale in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
I second the university sports teams merchandise, if not made in China. I once sent a high end caramel corn, Harry and David’s to Korea, and it seems that was quite a hit. Light, too.
Fruit based gifts can be good, dried fruit, jams, etc. Esp. if local.</p>
<p>Be careful with the chocolate. I may melt in a hot luggage bag.</p>
<p>That is 100% right. I don’t think books/watches would be a good idea for gift in China.</p>
<p>Son brought photo book of Boston to host family in Japan. Also, salt water taffy and dried cranberries that he put into a couple of mugs from various American universities. These presents were well received.<br>
DS carried around a bunch of Red Sox pencils and gave as little presents to the Japanese students that he spent time with. These were very popular. -sorry Yankee fans…</p>
<p>Not in China, but elsewhere I’ve found success with hostess gifts of small sealed containers of “pure maple syrup,” with the picture on the front. Not corn syrup, in other words ;)</p>
<p>I just flew domestically this week, so I wonder if the maple syrup would pass through the new airline security checks (since it’s liquid); perhaps if it’s sealed? I don’t know; I just recall it was a popular gift because it could be shared and was sweet.</p>
<p>If you are carrying something liquid, you can put it in your checked bags (well padded of course) so you won’t have security problems.</p>
<p>Watch with the liquids, even checked. My S tried to bring back some wine from California last week, and learned of a new rule about checking glass bottles. Tho he had it well padded with clothes and so on, there is a new regulation that it has to be in special styrofoam packaging material, which of course was not available at the airport. They took his wine away at check in.</p>
<p>On her exchange, my D brought maple syrup, a local product, and said they were a little mystified as to what to use it for. Combined with pancake mix, and an exchanger with the initiative to make pancakes, could be a fine gift. American pancakes are quite exotic in some parts of the world. But is unusual to feel free enough to use the kitchen in an exchange situation, esp a short term one.</p>
<p>Spoke with S in China and he said the 8 female teachers/receptionists at his school are not t-shirt/baseball hat people so there goes Yankee t-shirts or baseball caps. I might bring some chocolate but we will not be in his city until the end of our 2 week tour so the chocolate might melt (or I might eat it as I am a chocolholic!). Some other thoughts are 2008 Wall Calendars of
NYC, National Parks, NJ Shore or maybe I Love NY tote bags. I will look for books on NYC or NJ but they might weigh too much. Also, I thought about maybe bringing some Burt’s Bees goodies or small samples of Kiehl’s products.
I will probably be limited due to space/weight.</p>
<p>Huh. D brought back a bottle of wine from Hungary, packed carefully in her checked baggage, no problem.</p>
<p>I probably wouldn’t buy chocolate as a gift because its readily avaliable in China (unless you’re going to the countryside). A lot of western foods are avaliable in select grocery stores. </p>
<p>Lotion is great, but it’s pretty heavy so it might not be worth it to lug it across the oceans. Makeup could work because the american brands are pretty expensive there. </p>
<p>I think the university tee’s shirt idea is really great. If you get them a shirt from a college they’ve probably heard of, like an ivy, they will be thrilled. </p>
<p>Stay away from buying anything electronic or on Disks (new movies, etc) because the chances are people in China can get them for less.</p>
<p>Sees taffy has always been very popular, you could even put in candy dish. Also recognizable college T’s.</p>
<p>I ended up going to a fantastic Native American store in Rochester Michigan. I bought some beautiful Navajo craft items: letter openers, pill box, money clip all detailed with inlaid natural components like turquoise, coral, lapis-Lizuli ets. They are unique, light and won’t melt, and I would love to own any one of them. I’ll let you know how it goes over. Thanks to everyone for all the great ideas.</p>