To ask for help with gift ideas?

[catgirl1976]

DSIL is Chinese

Her parents (who are lovely) are coming over to visit from China. They’ve been once before and although they speak no English and I speak zero mandarin we felt in great and I am looking forward to seeing them

Gifts are a big thing in their culture and I know they will bring gifts with them so I want to have some things ga for them when they arrive. I thought about getting some very”english” things so I’ve ordered some tea and truffles from Fortnums. I can probably afford to spend only about another £30

I thought of some nice postcards of where we live, (or coasters or fridge magnets or something ) some really”english” jams or marmalades and some nice English flowers but it seems a bit meh

Given my very tight budget does anyone have any good ideas of what I could add in?

Thank you!

I was also thinking of trying the charity show for any coronation mugs or things

Shops not show

I wouldn’t go for Fortnum and Mason - I think you can get something nice cheaper.
Are you after something they will eat or keep ?

A proper British teapot.

Tea is huge in their culture and they would probably be greatly amused by an authentic British pot.

I understand why you have chosen Fortnum and Mason- and in a similar vein Harrods will be known as well.

Perhaps a canvas bag or mug from Harrods as the last gift? https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/shopping/harrods/souvenirs

Oh a teapot is a good idea!

and yes I’ve gone for F and M not because I think it’s amazing (never bought anything from there before) but because I think the brand is so well known it would be know in China. Can’t afford anything else pricey so can’t get anything from Harrods but a teapot is a good idea and if boxed they’d be able to take it back when they go

i also thought about umbrellas - they are here till the new year so will experience our famous English rain!

Maybe I could stretch to a harrods canvas bag though

Whittards do a nice Alice in Wonderland teapot, plus matching cups, if they would know Alice.

Emma Bridgwater does some very pretty mugs with either traditional English scenes or based on different towns and cities (depending on where you live/they’re staying- she only does the picturesque ones 😂). They’re expensive but they often have them in TK Maxx for half price (https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/home/kitchen+dining/tableware/dinnerware+serving-dishes/fruit-picking-mug/p/80657032) and the Emma Bridgwater website has an outlet section.

Maybe a little hamper of locally produced treats (garden centres are often good for finding stuff or shops in touristy areas). I sent my friend in the US a box of tea, chocolate and fudge that had been produced locally.

National Trust shops are excellent for nice gifts. And the Kew Gardens and V&A online shop has some good options too ( it can be expensive but they do have lovely tote bags and small gifts too).

If it's something for them to use while they are here, shortbread biscuits, fruit cake, Victoria sponge cake, Lancashire gingerbread, elderflower pressé.

Did they try English cheeses when they were last here?

If it's things for them to take home, that's much harder. What does your SIL advise? Whatever you give them wrap it up in red and gold paper for good luck.

A voucher for afternoon tea or cream tea. Quintessential British experience. Alternatively make one yourself

I’m taking them for an afternoon tea at a local stately home thing next month

i think a mix of things while they are here and some things to take home - cheese is another good idea that won’t break the bank - thank you! As is the red and gold paper!

I agree with the pp about getting them a typical British tea pot . I’d stay away from the gimmicky type things with Harrods written on them , it’s a bit tacky .

As they're going to be here in winter, maybe tartan scarves?

Scarves are another very good idea!

Just be very careful to do some research on 'lucky' and 'unlucky' gifts, numbers of gifts, types of wrapping etc.

I had two lovely Japanese girls come back to visit me 13 years after staying with us for 2 weeks as high school students and I was very careful to do my research first. And yes, I am aware that they are different cultures, but they have similarities also. My visitors appreciated typical English gifts. I made some lavender bags and bought some hand-made lavender soap. I bought some local fudge, bought some little notecards designed by a local artist, that kind of thing. I was careful not to get anything that could have been made in China or Japan and imported. The teapot sounds like a wonderful idea. If I could have afforded it I would have bought some tea grown in one of our very few tea plantations in this country... My guests were very disappointed when they found out that English breakfast tea was actually a blend of teas from elsewhere in the world!

Also, consider how easily it will be to pack when they return home, large, heavy or bulky awkwardly shaped items are more likely to get left behind.

I mentioned cheese, as a Chinese girl I met in France was completely amazed by French cheeses, as it's a little known item in China.

Some great ideas thank you all so much - I’ll be on a little shopping spree tomorrow feeling very inspired

Sorry to rain on your parade (so to speak!) but an umbrella as a gift is a sign of bad luck in their culture! It’s to do with the word sounding like the word for “break up”.

But a lovely teapot is a great idea, as is any kind of biscuit (shortbread in particular). Sounds like you’ve got some really thoughtful gifts already, op. They’ll love it :)

How about some English wine?
Chapel Down has long been one of my favourites, but there are so many English vineyards now.
Larger branches of Waitrose usually have a good selection (even the mini Waitrose near me usually has several to choose from).

Do they drink alcohol?
We are taking some Islay whisky to Korea for a present which we’ve been told will be appreciated.