I Picked It Out Myself

Our agency offers tips on their blog which are adoption related. Here is one such item on Gift Giving in China.

When families travel to China, it is customary to bring "gifts" to present to individuals that help you along on your adoption trip. In China (like many other Asian countries) gift giving is a cultural gesture. The value IS the gesture of the gift, not the monetary equivalent. You are not required to bring gifts, but it is strongly recommended.

-Generally, China families can bring along approximately 6-8 gifts. These small gifts should not be wrapped, as they may be unwrapped by airport security in the U.S. or in China. Most families take gifts bags & (red) tissue paper along and simply place the gift in the gift bag when needed.

-Gifts should be non-gender specific so that they can be interchanged as needed.

-These gifts can range from very little to $10, and should not be large or expensive. Please also remember that these gifts are gifts that you would also like to receive. Please do not take "junk" to China. Oftentimes we hear families “stress” over the gifts to take along, but that is not necessary. More often than not, the gifts are all pooled together and given to the orphanage staff behind the scenes. It is rare that you hand give a specific gift to a specific person .

-If you give a gift directly to someone, offer it with both hands as a sign of appreciation and gratitude. Be prepared for the person to deny the gift at least once or twice. This is typical to show humility. It is appropriate to insist that they accept the gift.

Who to bring gifts for?

-Caretakers: 2-4 gifts for orphanage or foster care providers.

-Orphanage Director: Some families have the opportunity to meet the Director.

Suggestions for gifts:

-Items that represent your home community (i.e. souvenir keychains, postcards with personalized 'thank you' notes written on them, NBA, NFL or MLB t-shirts).

-Picture books for children

-Children's books (in English or Chinese)

-Perfumes & lotions (no shower gel, most people in China do not have showers)

-Cosmetics

-Fine Stationery or note cards

-American candies (these are great for orphanages) & individually wrapped American chocolates

-Photo Frames

-Quality Pens

-If your child is in foster care, a hand written personal 'thank you' letter is nice

-U.S. Postal stamps, these are highly collectible in China!

-Solar calculators

-Be creative!

*Many families ask about taking additional items for an orphanage donation. Every orphanage's needs vary. It is recommended to give cash (in addition to the required orphanage donation of $3,000 USD) if you would like to provide a "donation." This way the orphanage can purchase very inexpensively in China what they need and when they need it. Oftentimes, travel groups will pool monies together and purchase formula, furniture, appliances, etc... for the local orphanage.

Text is from the agency.

Pictures are mine (Who'd have known?)

-Gifts brought to China should not say "Made in China" but rather "Made in U.S.A."
-American or patriotic items (please, no t-shirts with US flags or "Proud to be an American" or "Support our Troops" etc...)

-Be mindful of other cultures and countries religions and private religious views. Evangelizing or religious gifts are not appropriate, nor are they necessarily "safe" to travel with.

-Gifts that require reading instructions to operate (if the instructions are in English!) should not be taken.-Although recommended above, during the summer time, chocolate that could melt would obviously not be a good choice :o)

-Clocks - they are considered bad luck.

Well, at least this one is.

-Items that are stricly "white" (in color)... this color signifies "death." NEVER give white flowers!

-And NEVER write in red ink. It symbolizes severing ties.