A good gift for a foreign student from Sweden?
Would it be alright to give her a copy of Pippi Longstocking (written in Swedish of course) with some swedish fish? I feel bad that she can't spend Christmas with her family in Sweden so I want to give her something that would remind her of being home or whatever. Would that be cute or non-understandable?
Christmas - 9 Answers
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1 :
Find something they dont have in Sweden.
2 :
The book and candy are a great idea. Also why not ask what is one favorite dish from Home she misses and ask her if she knows how to make it so you all can share it with her to help her feel kind of at home when shes not. Or better yet contact her family and set up a Christmas video chat for her as a surprise so she can still see and talk to them and know they miss her just as much as she misses them.
3 :
The book is fine. She might enjoy a Christmas gift basket of American foods (ham, cheese, crackers, candy). Or maybe some American candy which she can't get in Sweden (Ghiradelli, Russell Stover, Fannie Mae, etc.). You could also invite her to have Christmas dinner with your family. Europeans really love American beef and I am sure that prime rib will be a hit.
4 :
I think that trying to give her things that are swedish might come off bad... If someone gave me something just because it was 'made in america' while i was living abroad I would've been upset. I would give her something to remind her of her time here, something she can take back with her.... Keep in mind, she's not here to feel 'at home' or else she wouldn't have come! I think its best to give her something she'll always remember... What about a nice dinner/ or some sort of thing she can't treat herself to while being here?
5 :
I think that would be cute, but there are lots of things that could be cute. Cuteness is kind of a universal language (stuffed animals work for pretty much any culture, for example), so you don't necessarily need to feel constrained to get something explicitly Swedish to communicate warm fuzzies. :) Many international students like things that they don't have in their home country to have later as a souvenier, but I can see wanting to remind her of home, too. That's a very thoughtful idea!
6 :
These are PERFECT -- I bought them for my family a few years ago and they have asked for them each year since. They are cute, unique useful and more importantly AFFORDABLE! They are having a sale for the holidays. I have also given them to friends, coworkers and used them for secret santas. Here is the website: http://herculittles.com/home.htm Good Luck!
7 :
She probably has a copy of Pippi already. I live in Sweden and I think that she would probably like something that reflects you and something of your own culture. I'm not sure where you live (which country) but I do know that many students here go abroad and love to tell stories of their experiences in other countries when they come back, the people they've met, the gifts they got. Not all Swedes are into "Swedish" things.
8 :
Hi Alyssa, You have already gotten some very nice suggestions. May I recommend, even the simple gift of Ginger Bread, house, cookies, or something. In Sweden people often give Ginger Bread Hearts with names on them as a gift. Often, they make Ginger Bread Houses together, before Christmas. Albeit, this may make her miss home even more. . . Happy Happy and Merry Merry from Santa Land, JohnW
9 :
I just want to point out that "Swedish Fish" is pickled herring to most Swedes, we don't have the candy "Swedish Fish" in Sweden. In Sweden the candy is named "Fiskar" (Fishes) and it's not a popular kind of candy. If she eats fish then I think pickled herring is a great idea since it's not that easy to find in other countries. One tradition in Sweden is to watch Donald Duck on TV at 3 pm. It has been a tradition since 1960 and most Swedes watch at least a little part of it. You could possibly get a DVD with it or something like it for her. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_All_of_Us_to_All_of_You Or You could give her links so that she can watch the segments on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAHk8nPAa-8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koQFJ_YqvsA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-x6qTiERS8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J4npb4NwjI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOvbsj2ytf0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfb-X30ochk&feature=related If I was stuck in another country the I wouldn't want to be reminded of home, I'd like to experience how Christmas is at the place where I'm at.
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