We were blessed with 2 healthy, beautiful sons. But someone was missing! We traveled to Moscow, Russia to bring home our baby girl and complete our family!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Need Some Help...
on gift ideas for Orphanage Director and Doctor. I don't even know where to start. All I know is that it should be about $25 each. Gifts can be so personal and I don't know these women at all. Would love any advice you have. What did you buy???
My husband and I are awaiting a referral but I bought stuff already during Christmas time when everything was on sale. I got leather wallets for the man that I got on sale for $8 dollars. I'll give one to the driver and whom ever. For the ladies I bought Necklace and earring sets. I didn't buy colorful sets just the basic blacks and browns so they would go with everything.Kohls has really nice sets also. I also bought scarft for the women and small lotions from bath and beyond or victorias secret.Good Luck
Nice swiss chocolates for them. And a piece of jewelry for the woman who took such good care of us--court prep, visits to baby home. Scarf for my translator.
Jewelry is always good. Earrings, necklace or bracelets...try to stick to silver or white gold color as I have heard that many Russians do not wear yellow gold...gold is only for the churches??? can't remember where I have heard that.
Warm winter hats and scarves are always a hit or sweaters...I remember going to Dillards about this time on our first adoption and buying REALLY nice sweaters for a huge discount.
I have also heard that makeup is a nice gift and I know every time I have given Mary Kay they love it...hand creams, moisturizers, etc.
I think a good gift is something you would like ;)
For the orphanage director and our agency staff I bought pashmina's @ Steinmart.I also bought some chocolates and opi nail polish (when the Russian line was out).For the orphanage staff we did nail polishs, chocalates and some Russian $ in cute bags. Just remember it is the thought that counts! Nicole
maybe consider going to the Philly outlets - there is a great Bath/Body outlet there - this time last year I got adorable little bags that looked very "russian" for $5 each - we put a scarf or jewelry (ala Marshall's) inside, along with some US$$ for the ones in his room who cared for him for 17 months! don't sweat the gifts, overall, tho -- from what we saw and heard,you don't see more than 1/2 the people get their gifts and you actually wonder where they went... the orphanage director/caregivers and the overall orphanage gift were the most meaningful... For the orphanage gift, maybe see if htey need oragel/desitin/children's tylenol then ask all your friends/family to donate 1 of them and suddenly you'll have suitcase full of them and a very happy orphanage director. Another trick we used and I share with families is to ask friends/family if anyone has a really old, junky suitcase they wish to have OUT of their house.. you can put all your gifts in there and then leave the suitcase behind.. One less thing to be lugging around on your way home...
We gave those new ultra thin wallets and ultra thin photo albums that you can carry in your purse (looks like the thin wallet). We also gave battery powered tooth brushes (husband's a dentist) and we gave jewelry sets. After being over there and after hearing from Lighthouse's Russian staff, I think makeup, lotions and tea (good quality teas) are a big hit. Since your orphanage is in Moscow, the workers can get almost anything they want. There are stores for everything & in every price range, so I think quality is important since vendors, selling less quality stuff, are everywhere just like in the U.S.
I go to NYC often because I have a friend who lives there...I always buy extra pachmina scarves - they make awesome presents and only cost 5.00 --- how many do you need..I will send them to you...when are you leaving..send me an email or facebook me - seriously I would love to send them if you want to include them with your gifts...so excited to hear you got a court date - i haven't been on lately - my mom had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago and we have been alittle busy!
12 comments:
Lotion and bath gel were on our gift list for the folks at the baby home.
My husband and I are awaiting a referral but I bought stuff already during Christmas time when everything was on sale. I got leather wallets for the man that I got on sale for $8 dollars. I'll give one to the driver and whom ever. For the ladies I bought Necklace and earring sets. I didn't buy colorful sets just the basic blacks and browns so they would go with everything.Kohls has really nice sets also. I also bought scarft for the women and small lotions from bath and beyond or victorias secret.Good Luck
Nice swiss chocolates for them. And a piece of jewelry for the woman who took such good care of us--court prep, visits to baby home. Scarf for my translator.
Jewelry is always good. Earrings, necklace or bracelets...try to stick to silver or white gold color as I have heard that many Russians do not wear yellow gold...gold is only for the churches??? can't remember where I have heard that.
Warm winter hats and scarves are always a hit or sweaters...I remember going to Dillards about this time on our first adoption and buying REALLY nice sweaters for a huge discount.
I have also heard that makeup is a nice gift and I know every time I have given Mary Kay they love it...hand creams, moisturizers, etc.
I think a good gift is something you would like ;)
Hope this helps.
Kristine
For the orphanage director and our agency staff I bought pashmina's @ Steinmart.I also bought some chocolates and opi nail polish (when the Russian line was out).For the orphanage staff we did nail polishs, chocalates and some Russian $ in cute bags.
Just remember it is the thought that counts!
Nicole
maybe consider going to the Philly outlets - there is a great Bath/Body outlet there - this time last year I got adorable little bags that looked very "russian" for $5 each - we put a scarf or jewelry (ala Marshall's) inside, along with some US$$ for the ones in his room who cared for him for 17 months! don't sweat the gifts, overall, tho -- from what we saw and heard,you don't see more than 1/2 the people get their gifts and you actually wonder where they went... the orphanage director/caregivers and the overall orphanage gift were the most meaningful... For the orphanage gift, maybe see if htey need oragel/desitin/children's tylenol then ask all your friends/family to donate 1 of them and suddenly you'll have suitcase full of them and a very happy orphanage director. Another trick we used and I share with families is to ask friends/family if anyone has a really old, junky suitcase they wish to have OUT of their house.. you can put all your gifts in there and then leave the suitcase behind.. One less thing to be lugging around on your way home...
let me know when you want me to send the emergency medical kit..it helped us on our pick up trip with Hope.
We gave those new ultra thin wallets and ultra thin photo albums that you can carry in your purse (looks like the thin wallet). We also gave battery powered tooth brushes (husband's a dentist) and we gave jewelry sets. After being over there and after hearing from Lighthouse's Russian staff, I think makeup, lotions and tea (good quality teas) are a big hit. Since your orphanage is in Moscow, the workers can get almost anything they want. There are stores for everything & in every price range, so I think quality is important since vendors, selling less quality stuff, are everywhere just like in the U.S.
We gave nice stainless steel travel mugs and wallets.
We did nice boxes of chocolates
I go to NYC often because I have a friend who lives there...I always buy extra pachmina scarves - they make awesome presents and only cost 5.00 --- how many do you need..I will send them to you...when are you leaving..send me an email or facebook me - seriously I would love to send them if you want to include them with your gifts...so excited to hear you got a court date - i haven't been on lately - my mom had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago and we have been alittle busy!
Love to you all
Deb
We gave perfume to director, pashmina to translator and chocolates to drivers. We also tipped the drivers.
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