Gift Ideas

[Phoenix]

I am leaving for Kyiv on Wednesday, Feb 1 and I am still trying to decide what gifts to take. I have a few ideas and could use some feedback, especially from the ladies here.

I already got a Burberry cashmere scarf for her and a baby teddy bear and cute "I (heart) California" shirt for her little niece.

One idea I had for my girl was a gift set from Bath and Body Works: It is a aroma therapy set of a scented candle, body lotion or body spray, and either scented body wash or foam bath. From what I know from her letters I think she would like it, but I am concerned it might be too intimate or personal for a first meeting. What are your opinions?

I thought about perfume as well, but I would have to guess as to what she would like because I felt if I asked it would give away the surprise. Should I take a chance with a popular fragrance like Chanel or wait until I know what she likes?

I would like to get something for her sister also, who had her first baby last year. I was just going to get flowers, but I would appreciate suggestions for something unique or special.

Wow, only five days left until I get on a plane to the other side of the world!  Very exciting, but a little scary too because it is my first trip anywhere (besides a few dozen weekends in Mexico, but that really doesn't count ).

Cheers!

Tim

[philb]

Bath and Body works has always been a hit in my experience.  They do make some less "intimate" products in addition to what you have mentioned.  The gel gloves combined with the appropriate hand cream is nice.  Alla (my fiance') particularly likes their salt and sugar scrubs. 

Perfumes can be difficult since they react differently in regards to each person's pheremones and the like.  What I have done though is go into a nice department store and ask the girls at the perfume counter what their favorite new scent is.  I also usually mention the general age of the woman who will be wearing the perfume.

By the way, Chanel 5 is considered an older woman's scent.  Always popular (at least in my experience) is Christian Dior Jadore.


Good Luck.

[philb]

One other thing, don't feel a need to give everything at once.  Bring along a few more intimate things and give them to her if or when the relationship progresses.

[al-c]

NEVER underestimate the value of flowers to a RW.

9 roses is the best starter gift (or some other number, but ALWAYS an odd number).

Thanks to the person here at RWD who taught me that.

 

 

[Todd]

I try for non monetary gifts as they are much more meaningful.  One idea is to print out your correspondence and underline things that are particularly meaningful to you.  When you get together, you can discuss why it was meaningful and give it as a gift. 

Another gift for after I proposed was a "1000 questions that couples should discuss prior to marriage." ...also 35 red and white roses.

[Albert]

Perfume is always a good gift.  And much more practical than flowers, as the perfume 'keeps on giving' for a long time.

But don't try to find out what she likes.  Get what YOU like.  It is you who is going to be smelling it and getting turned on . . . .  or not.

If you get what you like, and talk it up to her . . . .  i.e. that it really excites you when she wears it . . . . then you can bet it will become her favorite.

Perfume and other smells can be a real turn on if it gives you good memories.

Years ago my wife and I spent a memorable week at a beach resort and we both used a particular sun tan lotion.  We had gobs of great sex also.  In later months all we would have to do was smell the scent of the lotion and we would get very horny.

Perfume doesn't have to be expensive either.  A few years back I was in Crimea with a gal.  We went to one of the crowded flea markets in Sevastopol and stopped at a place where they were selling 'knock-offs' of some famous perfumes for less than $5 per small bottle.  We smelled several and one really got my hormones jumping.  When she stuck it under my nose I grabbed her around waist and said something like . . . . 'Oh WOW' while pulling her into me.  This brought smiles to all the gals faces who were standing around and much jabbering in Russian.  So, of course, my gal wanted it.  And whenever she wanted some 'action' she would splash some of it around on her.  Always did the trick and she loved it.

[Bruno]

Strange for adult women... but a teddy bear have give very good result...

[Zhena]

Only dont get the cheap perfumes-better dont get them at all. I can tell u the most popular here-Chanel Mademoiselle,Intuition Estee Lauder,Euphoria Celvin Clein,etc. Dont give too classiacal like Chanel 5-its for someone who likes,not everybody likes it...The things for a bath like a shower gel with a soap,scrub and a cream will be quite good. Not so intimacy as u think. But also depends on ur girl:) The flowers will be good when ull meet her-I think she will be pleased. Also,as a variant,u can present to her something for home,I mean,decoration for an interior(or for her sister). Like a statuette or something like that. Only choose a graceful one:) But why did u think about a present for her sister,not her mom? Mom is more important;) 

All things mustnt be too cheap,but not too expensive as well-as u dont know her well yet. Just show urself a gentleman:) IMHO.

[BC]

Take extra sweatshirts or T-shirts with nice logo etc to 'leave behind'...

[Bruno]

Take extra sweatshirts or T-shirts with nice logo etc to 'leave behind'...

My last gift was a oyster... really a success since she have find a real perl inside

Be original, surprise her, she will like it...

[Zhena]

Take extra sweatshirts or T-shirts with nice logo etc to 'leave behind'...

My last gift was a oyster... really a success since she have find a real perl inside

Be original, surprise her, she will like it...
[/quote]Yes,very original...if u can get such an oyster:D I never heard about something like this. Was the oyster live?

[Bruno]

[user=743]a fiancee[/user] wrote:

Yes,very original...if u can get such an oyster:D I never heard about something like this. Was the oyster live?

I have a scam of the package ( see below ) ... inside, you have a oyster in a closed box with salt water and a necklace for the pearl... you need open the oyster yourself and in function of the color of the perl, you need make a wish ( black pearl for love, very difficult to find )...

Be original is a plus... so much people offer classic gift... what make the difference is originality... later, when more intimate, it is possible by a flower ( rose ) where the flower is in reality sensual lingerie... one thing who have good work too was circus ticket... we are adult but inside, we can have a children mind ( advice, never choice first rank place... when clown are coming, they can choice you like victim... very funny for the bride but not for you )

 
Edit : for our American friend, i have find a site who sell these gift... the oyser with pearl... if your wait a little, maybe you can have the valentin box... here, i have pay only 22 euro... not a lot for you love...

http://www.24karatstore.com/inc/sdetail/10889
 

[RussianGal]

.. I have a few ideas and could use some feedback, especially from the ladies here .. I thought about perfume as well..

You may consider Chanel 'Chance'. Don`t know anyone who did not like it. Elegant and romantic, tender but sexy. After 2 years of using it I`m still not tired.

Some other small gifts which were enjoyed by people I know:
- chocolate (a nice heart shaped box);
- funny magnets for the fridge/coffee mug with a picture of your city;
- wall calendar with CA pictures or with cats if she loves them, for example;

[START2]

I don't think you can go wrong with Jadore. A Christian Dior product. You can pick it up at the duty free store if it's to late to go shopping now. A 1.7oz runs about $50. My wife and all her friends love the fragrance. Here's another idea that will make you look good. Just pull it out at an oppotune time. Peanut butter, jelly beans, and cheese in a can. that's a huge hit.  Also, take everything you need to make taco's except the ground beef of course. The first time I did this I  saw 24 tacos disappear  before my very eyes. For the men that are near, Jack Daniels to be sure.

[Phoenix]

Thank you all for the great advice!


It was surprisingly tough for me to decide what to get.

I settled on Bath and Body Works where I built my own gift box with an aroma therapy candle, a jar of sugar scrub, and a sample pack of various lotions, foam baths, and shower gels.

I also decided on Chanel Mademoiselle; after sampling many fragrances I liked this one the best. I could not try "Chance" because Nordstrom did not have it and I was too tired to go anywhere else .

In addition, I bought a few key chain lights and an umbrella with the same light built-in from Brookstone. Along with the cashmere scarf I think I am covered for gifts for her.

I guess mom and sister are getting flowers, chocolates, and key chain lights because my brain is too fried to think any more about gifts. However, I did buy her sister a simple porcelain picture frame (with a cute young girl praying on it) for a photo of her baby because I happened to see it and thought she might like it. Oh yea, dad is getting booze, Johnny Walker - blue.


Can hardly believe it is almost time to board a plane TO UKRAINE!!! Please wish me luck .



I also can't believe I am going in February - who goes to Ukraine in the middle of freakin' winter??!! :hairraising:  If this California boy doesn't freeze to death, I will try and write a trip report about my times.

Cheers!

Tim

 

[Zhena]

Well done,Tim,u made a good work:) I think ur girl will be pleased. Chanel Chance is very similar to Mademoiselle,though I like Mademoiselle more. Also I think u got enough number of gifts,no need more for this time.

I wish u good luck and not to freeze;) Take the warm clothes as they promised it will become colder in some days.

[Turboguy]

I also can't believe I am going in February - who goes to Ukraine in the middle of freakin' winter??!! :hairraising:  If this California boy doesn't freeze to death, I will try and write a trip report about my times.

Cheers!

Tim

Well Tim, I am there right now and I am glad I am not from California.  It is cold enoguh for this PA guy.

The gift that I brought that seemed to be a real hit came from WalMart and cost me all of $ 4.95    It was about a 6" tall stuffed white teddy bear holding 5 red roses that played music.  It was in the Valentine section at WalMart.   It went over even better than the $ 28.00 box of Godiva chocolates, not that they were not appreciated.   If this trip does not work out then I will be making a trip next month that may be more of a tour.  I may go back to WalMart and buy out their supply of those little bears.