Present for Polish friends ~ is anything hard to get any more?

I'm coming round to the tea idea, not sure about bath products maybe my friends have only a shower - who knows?

Nice hand creams, soaps, body lotions etc. instead perhaps? or scented candles?

Don't they have all that stuff in Poland?

Of course, however if you get a particularly British or English brand, it will be pretty special.

To be honest, I can't think of anything that you'd get in the UK that isn't available in Poland.

Most young people have mp3 players in their phones nowadays...

Hi Helena
I understand your predicament because I remember how it was in Poland in 1965!!! It's not like that now. Most of the small electronics/computers etc are more advanced than ours! The answer is that all things are accessible, if you have the money. The cost of buying stuff in Poland is roughly governed by whether it is a luxury or not. For example chocolate, christmas decorations, gardening equipment etc are all available, the same brands that we have in UK, but they are classed as non-essential items and are therefore expensive to most Poles. Foodstuffs, shoes, basic clothing etc can all be got at a reasonable price. However I echo the sentiment of others - it is always exciting for a Pole to get something that is clearly from abroad whether it be a piece of pretty bone china, or some other gift. If you want to be practical it might be worth knowing that many Poles buy clothing, and especially children's clothing, in the market or in second hand shops that import bales of it from UK! Many of my family come to UK to shop in charity shops because the quality of the clothes on offer is better here. Tescos George brand children's cotton clothing is much better quality than can be found in most places in Poland. Also, the same (identical) shirt can be bought on market stalls all over Poland. if you have a garment from UK you will be the only one wearing it! I would say get clothing for the children - doesn't need to be expensive, and get the parents some gift item that they can show off to their friends over coffee and cake. Most importantly they will be happy to see YOU! The gifts will be exciting but secondary. Have fun!!! Mary

Some good quality Darjeeling Tea is a good idea. Coffee is in pretty good quality available in Poland.

British sweets and candy for the kids. Some Mars-drinks maybe.

The 13 years old might be for some youth-magazine with posters. Football-magazine for a boy, some music-youth-magazine for a girl. It's cheap, but they might be very excited about a poster they can put on in their room and show the magazine to friends.

Thanks Mary and Tomek. More food for thought. I'll ask my friend if her son is interested in football; some boys prefer things like dancing.

My advice:

Be happy that you don't have to treat a trip to visit Polish friends like a charity mission anymore. Just bring the kind of small gifts that would be suitable for a host in the West.

If, while here, you find there's something that's hard to get and might be appreciated you can send it afterward as a thank you.

Very true, Maf.

Cheers everyone.

Helena

There were times in 1989 when some desperate Poles would cross the border to western Germany having 4 bottles of vodka.

Those were the days of the mighty Deutsch Mark.

The market price of 3 bottles of vodka (money they send back to their family) would exceed their monthly income back in Poland. They would then commit any sort of petty crime to be able to spend a month, fed and sheltered for free, in a German prison.

Na ja, times have certainly changed :-)

Lemonade and Doritos.

All the electronic stuff is widely available here.

Like I am going to carrry bottles of lemonade in my suitcase from Hastings to Gizycko changing trains seven times. :-)

So far I have got a Nike tee shirt for the little one and an "England" baseball cap for the 13 year old. Both very light!

For my friend I might take some jewellery, and for her husband ... a bag of Doritos!!! Hahahahaha

Or a tube of Pringles maybe? (or the chocolated-coated equivalent maybe, can't remember what they are called). Crisps don't seem to be that prevalent in Poland..

You can buy them (and dozens of other types of crisps) in every other supermarket/deli/grocery store.

I find Poland sadly lacking in Pocky though, so perhaps a few pockets of various flavours? I only managed to buy a Korean knockoff in Poland once; other than that, I relied on care packages from friends.

Maybe I only went to the crappy shops!

My cousin who communicats with Canada recently recieved a bottle of maple syrup from them. His mom told me they loved it and put it on kluski (not what I would ever do but to each his own) So maybe a bottle from Vermont or New England States. I also collect T-shirts so would like one from anywhere and everyone knows one never has enough...right??? I remember sending my cousin one for the Utah Jazz as he loves them. (never heard of them but found it on line and had it mailed over to him) Ooops just read you are from UK so the maple syrup does not apply but I think they have somemade in Scotland.


What are Pocky????

Why instead of thinking of replacing things that you think they might be in short supply of (which to honest I can't think of), why don't you take the kids things are are specific to where you are.

For example:
Kids (if they are young) Hastings Seaside Rock
You will have a much better idea of what is local nowadays than I will, as it's nearly 12 years since I was there.

My mother went to the Herstmonceux trug shop and purchased a small one and filled with dried flowers as a present for my mother-in-law here in Poland, she loved in and now it stands on the sideboard.

She did have a few problems bringing it on the aeroplane though lol

try Love

Just give me your address I'll send you out a regular supply :)

UKPOLSKA: Hastings Rock. Their mother is a doctor and I would be ashamed to bring something made to break and rot teeth! Went to Drusillas Zoo yesterday and bought a sports bottle that has animals all round it in rubbery relief and DRUSILLAS ZOO, ALFRISTON UK on it, that is for the 5 year old. The 13 yr old I have bought an England football (baseball-type) cap with ENGLAND written across it plus a Nike tee shirt. I will get a second small pressie for the little 'un.

For the adults, I like the idea of tea as it's so lightweight to carry. Remember I am on my own with about 7 changes of train before I get to Gizycko! Gone are the days of porters to carry one's suitcases!

Thanks everyone for suggestions!

Helena

lol, It was the only thing I could think of from Hastings apart from drugs hehe


They do some gorgeous wines there but I guess they will be too heavy to carry :(

He he I think Pani Doktor can get all the drugs she wants!

Present for a Polish friend Hmmmmm let me think now, how about a big shield that will make your Polish friends feel big and important while making the BIG angry bear livid, hence threatening to wipe Polska off the face of the planet! On the plus side the Yanks get what they want (pay-back for financing getting rid of communism) and the rest of Europe can feel a little more safe (I think not). Maybe the creme egg was a better idea after all.

Get them some english bread!

Thread attached on merging:
What gift to bring to Polish relatives?

I'm of Polish descent and live in Washington DC. Going to Poland and visiting relatives I have never met. I'd like to bring a gift, but I'm not sure what. Suggestions?

see this post - related:

Designer hand bags for the Polish girls?


"OK Was just wondering if Coach was over there. Thanks!"
"Everything is available in Poland as far as I know."
"That's what I thought. Thx."