fb_steve 0 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hey guys, I need a bit of help choosing a gift for an elderly Japanese couple I got to know last year. I was thinking a bottle of something as they loved their sake, would a nice Australian red be suitable? Or maybe a spirit perhaps? Just trying to get an idea of the Japanese palate and what's viewed as special gift. Also, should i wrap the gift and expect them to open it with me? They were very traditional. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Not many elderly Japanese will appreciate red wine. If they like sake then that will do fine. Try to choose a local brand rather than something in the supermarket. Wrapping is very important. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Get something Aussie. Maybe some food. As soubs said.. it's all about the wrapping! Link to post Share on other sites
fb_steve 0 Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Thanks guys. I was thinking red wine might not be the best choice. I'll have to get someone else to wrap it cause i can't wrap presents for the life of me! Food was my first idea but whatever I get has to sit in storage for about 75 days whilst I travel! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 No, you get it gift wrapped when you buy it! Red wine isn't appreciated here. They'll stick a good Cab Sav in the fridge A huge tin of Arnott's Family Assorted would be a winner! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Please. Consider this: A Wedgewood teapot. It has worked wonders for me. It will for you. "Wedgewood in Australia?", "Yes, we take the skils everywhere we go" Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Yes make sure it is wrapped up very nicely. Wrapping in England (if we can call it that) is bit of an embarrassement after being here a while Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Hey - what about the Tim Tams. I do a lot international swapping and the most requested items are Tim Tams and Cadbury Chocolate (ohh yeah and stuffed Koala's!) We have also hosted 2 J-exchange students and both of them couldn't get enough of the Tim Tams - I had to send home multiple value packs with them for thier families... As for wrapping - I got some fabulous high quality wrapping paper printed with photo like pics of Koala's, with matching gift cards from the Perth Zoo Gift shop. Wrapping whatever you buy in a paper like that with some lovely satin ribbon (not curling ribbon!!The Fabric stuff..)to set it off will be well appreciated. It is the thought and the effort that holds more value than the content of the actual gift. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 or if you are stopping by cairns get some mangoes. Or Some frozen Awabi (Abalone). I usually bring a few kilo's of uncut sirloin.. always a hit! Link to post Share on other sites
base40 0 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Something with "made in (your country)" usually goes down well - if you can actually find something like that! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 quite seriously, things like touristy boomerangs and cuddly Koalas are not made in Australia, they are made in the sweatshop of the world. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Originally Posted By: thursday quite seriously, things like touristy boomerangs and cuddly Koalas are not made in Australia, they are made in the sweatshop of the world. They ARE hard to find Thursday! Doing a lot of International Swapping I am always looking for the MADE in AUSTRALIA tag - no point sending something from elsewhere to someone in one of these 'Taste of Home' swaps... But they ARE out there - they just cost a lot more. There are some seriously yummy smelling Aussie made soaps and body lotions out there - set you back $10 - $30 a bar (!!) but they are WONDERFUL. Sandalwood and Eucalyptus products are often genuine Made in Oz as well. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Any genuine koala steaks? Tired of the roo steaks. Link to post Share on other sites
fb_steve 0 Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thanks for all the tips guys! There is an Australian made souvenir store in town so I'll check that out. Tim Tams are definitely a must also! Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 You will eat them on the way. I was caught out when I first came here with presents. I didn't take much notice of the Made in things and lots were not from where I'm made in. The Japanese did notice of course. Link to post Share on other sites
Domokun_72dpi 0 Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Originally Posted By: thursday Please. Consider this: A Wedgewood teapot. It has worked wonders for me. It will for you. Actually, that's an awesome idea thursday. Australia has some great teas on offer as well. I know Japanese love Green tea, but perhaps you could offer them something very unique, like mango or something nice (you know from those boutique design tea shops). Also, perhaps 2 small teacups (japanese style) for both of them to enjoy. Oh, and a bottle of Sake, in case they think the tea sucked =0 Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 I'm glad somebody approves. Tea is a very big thing and so it should be. Link to post Share on other sites
griller 9 Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Tea is a bit cliche. Do something different. Presents that have been popular with my friends are framed photos and photobooks of where I'm from. Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 China / wedgewood that kind of things is really popular. Though you can get it now here in some dept stores which makes it less unique I suppose. Very expensive here. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 Beer. Get some nice bottles of good beer. Would that go down well? Link to post Share on other sites
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