[7ducks]

Why am I stressing over this seemingly small matter??

So, I got these decorative round boxes that each hold 1 individual round carved, fragranced soap. Each box is the size of a coaster around, and about 3" tall. The boxes are all different from one another with pretty designs/patterns with lids. I was thinking of tying each with a pretty fabric bow and giving these to the ladies.

My question...do you think this is enough? I mean, it's just 1 soap and a pretty box. The soap is big, but still. Do you think that's good, or do you think I need to add something else? But then if I add something else, it sort of defeats the purpose of the pretty box (it's sort of already wrapped). I'd have to put it and whatever else in a gift bag.

Do you think this is too piddly of a gift? (I went to the store to get scarves, but found these and got them instead and made an impulsive purchase and am now rethinking).

Help! Leaving in a few days!

[hybell]

How many trips are you making? We did flowers on the first trip and lots of candy for the kids, and then special gifts on the second trip when we knew everyone a little better.

I'd tell you not to stress - but I know that's useless right now

[7ducks]

Just one trip.

[yusen]

To be Honest 7ducks,,I would feel as though that Americans thought Europeans were stinky,,sorry if I upset anyone,,But to give just a Bar of soap even in a pretty box ,,in my opinion I would be offended.
I actually brought for the Ladies an assortment of Teas and flavored Stirers to mix thier tea,,I bought them in my neighborhood Mall at a Place called Gloria Jeans..For the Children,,we Carried small Puzzles and Bubbles and Gum,,for the Men we gave them Money Clips,,Everything that we carried with us on our Trip was all packable,,an quite inexpensive,..
I want to to again apologize if I may have hurt anyones feelings regarding my opinion about the boxed soaps...

[7ducks]

Originally Posted by yusen

To be Honest 7ducks,,I would feel as though that Americans thought Europeans were stinky,,sorry if I upset anyone,,But to give just a Bar of soap even in a pretty box ,,in my opinion I would be offended.
I actually brought for the Ladies an assortment of Teas and flavored Stirers to mix thier tea,,I bought them in my neighborhood Mall at a Place called Gloria Jeans..For the Children,,we Carried small Puzzles and Bubbles and Gum,,for the Men we gave them Money Clips,,Everything that we carried with us on our Trip was all packable,,an quite inexpensive,..
I want to to again apologize if I may have hurt anyones feelings regarding my opinion about the boxed soaps...

Thank you! That's why I asked! I really appreciate your opinion!

[jola_nyc]

Fresh flowers are great idea in my opinion. And american candy for kids.

[jessipea]

Well, we stressed over this too. We actually bought her a bottle of good vodka while we were there. We also found out that she like Reese's and American Candy. I also got her a purse, a big black faux leather purse...we went twice...so twice the gifts!

I think American Candy is always good...like Reeses, snickers, (they have twix and m&m) leave it to me to be the junk food expert!

Jessi

[LisArno]

Memory is fading... I think we included a bag of assorted Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in our American candy assortment. I thought that might be something different - someone can now tell me I was wrong.

For the kids at the orphanage, we also brought different types of fruit roll-ups and the "fruit" (ha ha) snacks that were in the shapes of various characters/animals. They travel well, but add weight (a reason we paid $$$$ more for being overweight).

[hybell]

We did some mixed Willy Wonka/ Heshey's packages, plus "Kinder Jajko" that we picked up in Poland. The Kinder was a huge hit. I'm not sure you can get it through customs, but Honey-Nut Cheerios was also a big deal... go figure!

I forgot that we also had brought the kids a multi-piece stamp set with letters, pictures, stamp pads... it seemed like such a good idea at the time. When we picked up our son on trip two, his clothes were covered in stamps. His toys and photo albums had stamps. Several other kids had inky fingers. We were sent home with the stamp set... oops!

[LisArno]

One more thought... Once in Poland, we bought a box of Legos and some games to play with our children. We didn't have room to take everything back with us, so we gave them to the orphanage our last day there (first trip). Everything had cost at least $75-$100 so we considered that a part of our donation to the orphanage.

[momraine]

Be careful about candy that can melt if you travel in summer. The kids in our sons group were fascinated by Pez, and some of the other American candy. Another thing that was enjoyed were picture books about our area. One thing we did for our son because we did two trips (a pre trip and then I stayed the six weeks on the second trip, not the norm, but we had special issues in our case) was to give my son a photo album with pictures of our home, our family and our town. I made a duplicate in case it was lost. My transator wrote in captions in Polish. He loved this and everyone in the orphanage wanted to see it too, they were very interested in what life in America is like. It was not lost and he still had it when we returned.