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Post by webwench on Nov 28, 2005 12:38:57 GMT -7
Hi, I'm new here, and I joined mostly to prepare for an upcoming trip to Poland to visit my boyfriend's family. I have never visited before, and while I think I know what I need to pack for myself (cash, passport and warm clothes!), I was unsure of what else I could bring, especially what to bring to give our host (his mother) and his immediate family members. What would most people like to have?
Our trip dates are December 27 through January 6. We will be staying with his mother in Tomaszow-maz much of the time, which I understand to be a fairly small town to the southwest of Warsaw. I'm very much looking forward to experiencing Poland, as I have only traveled a little bit outside North America before.
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Post by Jaga on Nov 28, 2005 13:13:37 GMT -7
H,
welcome to the forum. We actually had a big discussion about it and there is a thread in the old forum - but somehow it is so difficult to get to the old forum now.
You should definitively bring the souvenirs for his family members and some extra small souvenirs to give to somebody else - just in case. Ask your boyfriend what you mom likes, what are her interests and hobbies.
I am so sorry, I am so busy all the time, let me just list some of the things which people listed before in their posts:
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-album of family photos (we all look like each other!!)
-book of pictures of Boston (nearest large city)
-T-shirts that have our family name as a design (from when my niece ran the Iditarod in Alaska)
-a Harvard sweatshirt and baseball cap (for the fellow whose dream it is to visit Harvard and Boston)
-fancy embroidery threads (for the woman who likes to do cross-stitch)
-easy-reader books (in English) for the children and those learning English
+++
Ladies love perfumes or things that make them look pretty.
Men have varying tastes. Books, tools, or even some alcohol.
Kids like toys and various other goodies.
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my favorite for kids is coloring books with indians and cowboys and other specialized things common to America that they might not encounter in Europe. At the same time the Crayola is unknown over there, & it took a box of 64 colors to a family with many children and the box meant nothing to them until I opened it and their eyes bugged out at all of the color.
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Everything depends how well you know the family and what ages they are. Things like local souvenirs from your area are always safe,a book with beautiful photos of nature or monuments, that sort of things. Some local drink might be ok, if there are any. On the other hand something "very American"could be good - say an American flag or even a car plate (for younger generation). It's no shame to ask what they would like to receive.
Don't bring anythng very down-to-earth, practical, everyday stuff - some people still think we ride horses and don't have an easy access to soap and so on. When I got from German friends soap, shampoo and hygienic pads for women I felt offended.
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piwo
Citizen of the World
Co Słychać?
Posts: 1,189
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Post by piwo on Nov 28, 2005 13:45:11 GMT -7
We went this July for the first time, and brought inexpensive CD players with headsets for the kids, a big plastic jar of jelly-belly beans (both were huge hits), a jumbo pack of batteries from Costco, some inexpensive (not junk, just not high dollar) jewelry for the kids, some "trendy t-shirts", and a whole bunch of other stuff that I've already forgotten. Some fitted flannel sheets for the winter, a bottle of Makers Mark Bourbon, aforementioned photo album, along with some family pics. My daughter hand crocheted an afghan, an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer.........
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Post by rdywenur on Nov 28, 2005 16:12:13 GMT -7
Are the bed sizes in Poland same as here or is there a difference. Twin, Full, Queen, King? I would love to send some nice sheets to my cousin as a gift.
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Post by jimpres on Nov 28, 2005 16:15:40 GMT -7
Not sure but most I have seen are fold out couches and chairs.
I have not seen a permanent bed there.
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piwo
Citizen of the World
Co Słychać?
Posts: 1,189
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Post by piwo on Nov 28, 2005 16:16:54 GMT -7
I don't think they're the same. We just guessed and got a queen size, but I think it was probably too big. The language rift was too wide to broach that topic.  The beds seemed to be smaller, but I think a Native Pole would know for sure. I know my Czech brother in Law had me bring some fitted flannel sheets to the CZ when I went there in 2003, because they couldn't get them there. I'd sure love to know the answer to that one as well. |
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Post by kaima on Nov 28, 2005 21:23:41 GMT -7
Are the bed sizes in Poland same as here or is there a difference. Twin, Full, Queen, King? I would love to send some nice sheets to my cousin as a gift. The US queen size corresponds closely with a large bed in Germany and the fitted sheets are usable. I do not believe there is as good a match with the single beds . Why not do an internet shopping search on polish beds? Given the right approach you should be able to come up with the proper sizes, perhaps from their equivalent of Sears or Penny's. Kai. |
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Post by gardenmoma on Nov 28, 2005 21:42:55 GMT -7
Hi webwenchWelcome  I notice you live in Atlanta, GA...so please don't forget warm clothing for yourself so you can be comfortable. Maybe, even boots...but perhaps you can find a pair for yourself there, if needed. Before I went in summer, 2005 I checked www.weatherunderground for future weather for each of the places we were to stay...I wore everything I took except for some extra tee-shirts and underwear. Good luck and safe traveling... GM |
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zooba
Full Pole
Posts: 369
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Post by zooba on Nov 29, 2005 1:53:14 GMT -7
Ther ARE permanent beds in Poland as long as the family has enough rooms and room to have such beds. Because flats are small people tend to buy folding couches. Typical sizes of double bed sheets are: 200x220 cm or 140x200 cm.
Crayola - available but very costly.
parfumes - I wouldn't try to buy to a strager.
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nancy
European
Posts: 2,144
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Post by nancy on Nov 29, 2005 7:31:55 GMT -7
Crayola - available but very costly. Zooba, what do Crayola crayons cost there? here, I can buy them for a couple of dollars. |
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Post by webwench on Nov 30, 2005 7:28:09 GMT -7
Thank you so much for the ideas! I wish there were kids in his family, I would love to bring everyone big boxes of Crayolas, but alas, the family is all adults, none of whom I've met, so I'm working a bit in the blind. So I have picked up some books which are heavy on photographs of American landmarks/features of different kinds, and also some coffees flavored with American liquors, and apple butter from my cousin's farm, and will pick up some Kentucky bourbon and the like. And I have been apprised of the fact that his mom might like some good perfume or other 'girly' stuff, as she has only sons who don't know about that sort of thing -- but it's hard to buy such things for a stranger. I expect to be picking up little things all month as ideas strike, and I will bring boxes of crayolas just in case we visit or meet families with kids! Aside from your gift ideas, I've been enjoying reading this board; I'm a little intimidated because everyone seems extremely intelligent and well-read, so I suspect I'll be reading more than I post  gardenmoma -- You're right, I'm not used to the cold... I've stocked up on long underwear, and borrowed some lined boots and a good down-filled coat -- hopefully I'll be warm enough in all that!  |
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nancy
European
Posts: 2,144
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Post by nancy on Nov 30, 2005 8:39:47 GMT -7
Aside from your gift ideas, I've been enjoying reading this board; I'm a little intimidated because everyone seems extremely intelligent and well-read, so I suspect I'll be reading more than I post I'm glad you got some useful suggestions here (how about a pretty scarf for the lady? safer than perfume...) Please, please, do not be intimidated by anyone here!  We are a chatty bunch, but some of us like to sing and dance ;D , play games and tell jokes - they rule! When you come back from your trip, please come and tell us about it and your impressions of Poland. I especially would like to know how the gifts worked out, because Jaga (= Queen Bee) asked me to write a little article on what to bring to Poland as gifts, so I need all the additional input I can get. |
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forza
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 514
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Post by forza on Nov 30, 2005 12:02:00 GMT -7
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nancy
European
Posts: 2,144
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Post by nancy on Nov 30, 2005 14:10:47 GMT -7
Crayola crayons are VERY expensive there!! Here I can buy 8 crayons for $1.50, all the way up to 120 crayons for $10.
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Post by gardenmoma on Nov 30, 2005 16:01:58 GMT -7
Hi, webwench, Glad we were able to help a little Please do continue to come around and read, and contribute. Yes, we'd like to know how your trip turns out; how people enjoyed their gifts (a GM says watch customs with the booze - make sure you'll be allowed to bring in what you've brought); and furthermore, how you like the country, especially small town living to the southwest of Warsaw. Good for you with the clothing...a pain to carry from Atlanta, but will be well worth it. GM |
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The beds seemed to be smaller, but I think a Native Pole would know for sure. I know my Czech brother in Law had me bring some fitted flannel sheets to the CZ when I went there in 2003, because they couldn't get them there.
I notice you live in Atlanta, GA...so please don't forget warm clothing for yourself so you can be comfortable. Maybe, even boots...but perhaps you can find a pair for yourself there, if needed.
