Presents for my Colombian Cousins

bkcarolina says on Jul 3, 2007, 10:46:

They will LOVE Reece's peanut butter cups. I had some at a party, and the Colombians who knew what they were tried to hoard them all, while the ones tasting them for the first time asked me to always bring them more when I visit the US.

Robert Jorge says on Jul 3, 2007, 10:55:

For men, whisky is appreciated and makes a very nice gift. Even if the man isn't a drinker, he will think that a nice bottle of Scotch is pretty neat. It will be kept for a special occasion, or more likely will be shared immediately with you. For kids, teens, any US name brand clothing is considered great. Especially if it has words in English on it, or a sports team. Levi's jeans will be a winner. For women, you can't go wrong with nice hand and body lotions. Some Bath and Body Works or other nice lotions will be a hit.

Robert Jorge says on Jul 3, 2007, 11:02:

Yep, I forgot about that. Name brand US made peanut butter is a special treat. I took a jar over and gave it to my wife's mother. She put it in the fridge immediately, and made sure it was hidden so the youngsters couldn't get to it.

And the things I mentioned above are obtainble in Colombia. But, a pair of Levi's 501s cost $38 in the US. They cost triple to quadruple that in Colombia. A bottle of Jonny Walker scotch in the US costs $30 - $40. In Colombia, the price is double or triple that. Take into account people's incomes in Colombia, and that is what makes those things so special down there. That pair of 501s and Aeropostale T-shirt that I gave my wife's brother, if bought in Colombia, would cost more than the rent for their house for a month.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 3, 2007, 11:03:

Another option from the "hidden gems of PBH" department:



http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/my-shopping-list-for-my-sweetie-...

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 3, 2007, 11:34:

LOLOLOLOL Tinto, that was a good read. You know, I was just about to start talking about mirrors and colored beads....

Cheers,
Desi

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

vicshere says on Jul 3, 2007, 12:11:

mp3 players like ipod for the kids here they are still very expensive

listo

msaucey says on Jul 3, 2007, 12:21:

PB is now on the top of my list....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

poco says on Jul 3, 2007, 12:50:

As I see it, you can pretty much get anything in Colombia than you can in the U.S.....

Yes: Most things are available,, BUT, almost everything COSTS MORE MONEY in Colombia. I’ve never seen anything like it,, No opportunity, salaries from ONE FIFTH to ONE TENTH of what is paid in the U.S. and folks want to live and work in Colombia?

Anyway:

There is always room to pack a Chinese Delicacy:



Ha,, almost everyday someone asks "can we open this?",,,, Nope, everyone must wait for a special occasion and mix with a salad.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 3, 2007, 12:54:

Not to take anything away from the Chinese or the Canadians - they certainly know their pigs - but what about that famous product that won WWII? Where's your patriotism?

poco says on Jul 3, 2007, 12:58:

Not to take anything away from the Chinese or the Canadians - they certainly know their pigs - but what about that famous product that won WWII? Where's your patriotism?

Pssssst :::::::::
We're takling the same thing.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

GregYohn says on Jul 3, 2007, 16:42:

Hola!

Jasmine rice from Thailand is loved! Victoria Secret Body Lotion is great for women. Got a Bug Zapper like a tennis racket for $3 on sale for the guys!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

Mike19 says on Jul 3, 2007, 18:42:

does anyone know a U.S. website that I can purchase and send it to a friend in colombia...Just wondering if it will be shipped.

Buongone says on Jul 4, 2007, 03:05:

One of those little battery powered lamp/flashlight might be a good gift in one of the areas that has power outages alot. Could come in handy. Most families don't have standby generators.

rocinante says on Jul 7, 2007, 19:32:

80% of the shirts in CO that contain writing - the writing already is in English. Unless you are in a tourist T-Shirt store most of the clothing contains English writing already.

Colombian women are very particular about their jeans and picking out a pair in the US is a great challenge. Mostly Levis, GAP, Lucky and larger brand name Jeans sold in the US are not ornate enough for your run of the mill Colombiana. Their jeans are never plain and contain crazy cuts and doo-dads.

Electronics are expensive imports in Colombia. So X-Box, iPod, Cell Phones and the like are always big winners.

depending on the monetary status of your 'family' it might not be a bad idea to bring things that, although available there, would involve going to many different places and wasting time. Plus it's nice to show up already with the gifts. Women like make-up that is high quality (Sephora) because they can tell the difference from the crap they usually get. However fragrances is a different story. They tend to like what they like and showing up with a $75 bottle of something exquisite will not impress her when she loves this rose scented water crap she has been wearing for years. Hair straightening iron is big if you buy a really good one. Colombian tend to ignore the old addage "Buy nice or Buy Twice" - they will buy cheap crap that just really doesn't work all that great. Spring for quality stuff. They will notice the quality and love yo for it.

If you are visiting a chica for the first time don't go showering her family with gifts - this is a huge no-no. I know you wrote "Family" so my comment could be of use for others.

Unlocked Cell Phones with cameras are really a huge hit. Like the PEBL and RAZR - they carry a status; and SIM chips and prepaid cards are all one needs and are both easily attainable in CO - also incoming calls are free for the cell phone holder. Make absolutely sure that the phones have Spanish as a language option. You never know when you buy online - it cost about 40K to add spanish to a PEBL at a COMCEL place.

Peperidge Farms cookies and Hershey's Symphony chocolate, Peanut butter, decent single malt scotches are not available in Colombia. The regular prices of imported booze (Dewars, Absolut, Jameson, Bacardi etc...) are a bit less than the US if you shop in Carrefour or Exito. Also for yourself if you are a smoker the Marlboros and such are not the same as in the US as they are produced in Colombia or Ecuador or Brazil.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

goin_south says on Jul 9, 2007, 21:58:

that jifffy cat is cool, msaucey. I know one colombianita who is going to split a gut for very particular reasons when she sees that!

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

divina22 says on Jul 19, 2007, 15:36:

LOL, I brought my hubby PB once, and he hated it..... LOL since we;ve gone back, we';ve brought his cousins Playstaion 2's... they are much cheaper here in the U.S than over there...... and unlcoked cell phones, that's teh ticket, always bring a few of those back...... ipods too..... and lots of chocolates and candy....... especially those special edition hershey kisses.... YUMMY!!!! LOL

Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don't like to do.......