Gift ideas to bring *back* from Colombia

bob777 says on Jul 25, 2005, 09:46:

Emeralds My mother wanted something from Colombia and heard they had emeralds, so I got her a nice small gold pendant in the shape of the country of Colombia with an emerald mounted in the center. She seemed to like it very much.

My Colombian wife purchased for my mother, one of those small model house (fincas) that you can mount to a wall.

adrimm says on Jul 25, 2005, 12:07:

Keep 'em coming! I also had music on my list.

I love the wall-finca-balcones but they are delicate and awkward to travel with.

kernow62 says on Jul 25, 2005, 13:29:

Tinto just about covered it. I purchased some of the replica gold ornaments in the style of those in the gold museum. I also purchased some statues of Botero works in bronze at a shop in Hacienda Santa Barbara but they weren't cheap or light to pack.

The chocolate bars Tinto mentions are very good quality, in fact I found them for sale in Orlando at Marshalls in their gourmet food dept.

On another note Alpina products are now being sold in Orlando at Bravo and some Publix supermarkets. They have almost the full line except the lulo juice, but the pulp is available.

Antioqueñita says on Jul 25, 2005, 13:45:

I was gonna say the Balcones They are very delicate but well wrapped in bubble wrapping they will be fine. All the artesanias, like a Chiva are very cute! There are also small artesanias of like little colombians with aguardiente...
oh a bottle of aguardiente for the adults... Ron De Medellin!

Colombian braceletes.. there are some Juanes braceltes out there that say "Se Habla Español" because of the shirt he wore one time and "La Camisa Negra"...

Bring a "Costal de Cafe" there are the bags that they put the coffee inside.. they make a nice decoration.

The Confites as mentioned earlier.. Bon bon bunes.. umm!

Arequipe definetly!

Bring a "Olla para hacer Chocolate" .. I have been looking for one for years! THey are extermely rare ..aslo a parrila para arepas.

But as far as gifts, artesanias ( hand crafted work), Candies, & Coffee!

"Que Viva Medellin!"

"Que Viva Medellin!"

2retirensa says on Jul 25, 2005, 14:12:

Wood items, glass, prints, I found a nice shop in Armenia with very good quality hand crafted items. I would say these items are between the touristy stuff and the high end stuff- middle of the road.
I brought back several wood trays and bowls, some deocorated using seeds- I averaged $14 for gifts that were perceived to cost $30-40 easily. The finish and quality was extremely nice for the price.

I found some typical Colombian scenes in art prints (unframed, but fits any frame here) that were well received. Paid a little less than $4 each on very good quality paper. Actually better than most prints here for $20. Fincas, street scenes, etc.

In Chipichape Mall there is a shop that has a nice variety of items from one end to the other quality wise. A little pricey for Colombia, but still very good value by US standards. If you don't have time or desire to hunt these things down, its a good resource. Wood items, silver, glass, christmas ornaments (last November) that were exceptionally nice, etc.

And, of course, silver- go to the silver mart (in Cali-and don't go alone) and find dozens of vendors for everything cheap and poor taste to elegant. Bargain for the best price. I did better than my novio in getting the price lowered. ( I love to bargain!).

Coffee cookies. Great hostess gift when you get back. Some come in nice containers using natural woods etc (nice presentation). I took a large container to work and cost was maybe $6.00- made a great impression for a few $$ and didn't have any one feel left out for not getting an individual gift.

Maureen

M7 says on Jul 25, 2005, 15:18:

gifts? yeah the little "balcones" are really cute.

i have also brought back some "boteritos" mini statutes of some of Botero's artwork (can't remeber his first name: famous colombian artist). the little chubby people that he sculps and draws. cheverre

another unique thing; i bought some of these hardwood mini "barrilles" they look like mini wooden kegs with a spicket out the side. real cute and actually works. they weere kinda heavy but worth the hassle, when i gave it to my brother,, man he loved it.

Antioqueñita says on Jul 25, 2005, 15:43:

where is the post about what to bring to Colombia? I am going in October and wanted some suggestions.


Thanks :)

"Que Viva Medellin!"

"Que Viva Medellin!"

spigrimace says on Jul 25, 2005, 15:53:

Football jerseys & memorabilia Especially for soccer fans or for Colombian ex-pats

The selction Colombia jersey is pretty easy to find in the states but the FPC teams aren´t as easy although you can find them at times on eBay. As a gringo, I get the best double takes when walking in Corona Park, Queens or Cliffside Park, NJ when I have a Nacional or Once Caldas Jersey on.

Also, during the week on like a wednesday go to a stadium and look for the guy that pastes up the game posters that show who´s playing on Sunday and pay him 20 mil to give you a poster. Also, autographs are real easy. I go jogging around the stadium in Medellin and Nacional & Medellin players are always around in the mornings and never mind signing an autograph. I have a friend in NJ who I met solely because I wore my Nacional jersey up there and I just sent him up a Victor Arizstabal autograph, a picture of me with Victor, and the 2005 Nacional Campeones poster. He said all are already up in the restaurant.

adrimm says on Jul 25, 2005, 16:30:

Antioquena, just search for "gifts" in the Google box.

Spigramace, alas no one who will be be recieving the gifts (in my case) is an expat or remotely interested in futbol. But it is a great idea otherwise.

BAQ says on Jul 25, 2005, 16:53:

emeralds If you want something NATIVE, EMERALDS are mined here, one of very few places in the world.

Semper Fidelis !

Crazy4Cali says on Jul 25, 2005, 16:59:

Speaking of something native, I'm bringing back a colombiana. I thought one of those would make a great addition to the house.

I just hope my imported colombiana doesn't clash to much with the rest of the house (namely, me! :) )

Sam Salmon says on Jul 25, 2005, 20:56:

Seda Colombiana! Hand Woven Silk scarves can be found in Cartagena-made from Silk grown in Armenia-buying those Rebozos/Cholas is one way to help people.

They are also quality items for a very reasonable price.

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

jimf says on Jul 26, 2005, 04:21:

otro recuerdo A machete in a decorative vaina is typical and will not be forgotten.

Jim

fosth says on Jul 26, 2005, 05:59:

The Villegas books are excellent and cheaper than buying them on amazon ehre in the UK. Diesel Jeans are cheaper than here in UK too.

I like to bring back as much Aguadiente Antiqueno as i can. I love it but it's always good to see peole's faces the first time they try it at parties!!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 26, 2005, 06:13:

coffe liquor and this other l Coffee liquor and this other liquors that you can get with Coloma, you can get mandarin flavour, guanabana, mango, maracuya etc. you can make a great cocktails with them or apperitive, Coloma is the Brand name. The coffee one is great for making nice Capuccinos!!! My friends love it!!!!!!!!!!

engage brain before opening mouth

carolain11 says on Jul 26, 2005, 08:40:

sweets and snacks sweets are the best... tumes, manjar blanco, espejuelos, pie de mamey, casquitos de guayaba, obleas, arequipe (but not alpina, it's so artificial), bocadillo veleño, chocolatina jet, chitos... I know a family who lives in Panama, and they always take their kids chitos, frunas, and the funniest... salchichon cunit!!!

adrimm says on Sep 3, 2005, 18:55:

Villegas Books WOWWWW.... I just checked out their website... I hadn't realised that it was such a huge series. Such stunning photos and great write-ups.

OMG that is what I am going to buy when i next go down there.