Gift ideas for international colleagues

19 replies

Stephen D

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 Nov 2017

Total posts 42

Dear all, as many of you know, it is usual to give presents to colleagues, especially when traveling to Asia.


In the past I have given wine, books, and Australian chocolates. The problem with wine is the weight and the limited amount that can be taken to some countries. I have also seen bags coming off the carousal leaking red fluid (ugh!). Chocolate melts and many people in Asia do not have a fondness for sweet items. With books, as I have authored a few now, giving my own does have a real personal touch and always well received, especially when signed, but I have given these away to most of my close colleagues who I will be visiting this year. Plus books are not all that light.


Thus I would be very interested to hear what you may have given away as gifts in the past, especially those that have been well received. Typically I would spend under AUD$100 as a guide.


Appreciate your thoughts.

Stephen

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 731

I give elegantly carved ‘buttons’ (about 150mm in diameter) of Australian fauna by a Victorian craft group called Buttonworks. They also do coasters in the same way. Well within your price range and they work in all cultures and are a lasting gift that can be hung as well as great fun trying to name all of the animals after getting past the kangaroo and koala.

Stephen D

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 Nov 2017

Total posts 42

I give elegantly carved ‘buttons’ (about 150mm in diameter) of Australian fauna by a Victorian craft group called Buttonworks. They also do coasters in the same way. Well within your price range and they work in all cultures and are a lasting gift that can be hung as well as great fun trying to name all of the animals after getting past the kangaroo and koala.

Great idea, I will look into this, thank you very much.

mspcooper

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2013

Total posts 442

My usual gifts are Tim Tams, Hand crafted Boomerangs, Koala stuffed toys, Kangaroo stuffed toys. Boomerang was the most appreciated one followed by Tim Tams.

VZ1_60

QFF

Member since 03 Sep 2014

Total posts 10

here's a thought - maybe some small electronic items - thumb drives, storage disc, mouse, earphones,

Last editedby VZ1_60 at Mar 15, 2019, 02:47 PM.

CBRQF

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Jul 2011

Total posts 53

I have been doing a bit of work in SE Asia recently, facilitating workshops and the like. I used to take Tim Tams but found they weren't that popular. On a recent trip I took a few party packs of Fredo Fogs. They went down very well.

But for gifts I usually take some local hand crafts or paintings. Recently I got a stack of plates with Australian paintings on them.

Steve987

Member since 23 Feb 2015

Total posts 268

Tassie whisky has become the new booze choice for me - can get more bottles within limit.

Stephen D

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 Nov 2017

Total posts 42

My usual gifts are Tim Tams, Hand crafted Boomerangs, Koala stuffed toys, Kangaroo stuffed toys. Boomerang was the most appreciated one followed by Tim Tams.

I have given Tim Tams to Americans, and those new malt flavoured versions are to die for, but I do find those in Asia are not used to the high sugar load.

Stephen D

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 Nov 2017

Total posts 42

I have been doing a bit of work in SE Asia recently, facilitating workshops and the like. I used to take Tim Tams but found they weren't that popular. On a recent trip I took a few party packs of Fredo Fogs. They went down very well.

But for gifts I usually take some local hand crafts or paintings. Recently I got a stack of plates with Australian paintings on them.

I have given away Byron Bay cookies (which can be bought at Sydney Airport) and Haighs Chocolates, which have been popular with Americans. I struggle with local handcrafts as so many seem to be cheap and tacky, but I will admit there are some lovely plates out there. Thanks for the suggestion.

Stephen D

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 Nov 2017

Total posts 42

here's a thought - maybe some small electronic items - thumb drives, storage disc, mouse, earphones,
Last edited by VZ1_60 at Mar 15, 2019, 02.47 PM.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I find that Asian countries have a much greater range of these products.

sid

Member since 07 Jan 2011

Total posts 204

Something like this could be cool if they like to drink - https://www.cocktailkit.com.au/product/gintonica-australian-gin-sampler-pack/

PerthtoParis

Member since 28 Aug 2017

Total posts 5

If the colleagues are female- handcreams from local ingredients are really recieved eg juique... also we’ve had some sucess with hand carved wooden coasters. If you’re in Perth the shop in kings park has a great range of ideal australiana thats not tacky

Challenge

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Jan 2016

Total posts 5

Perth Mint


Silver coins under $100

eddies

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 Aug 2014

Total posts 6

Tim Tams can be found in supermarkets in SIN, HKG, PVG, and likely others.


At New Year, I give wall calendars featuring Aussie imagery.

Best of all is good quality tea towels with Aussie imagery. From the artistic to the down right cheesy. The recipients always love them, and you know the practical use will last for msny years into the future.

The humble tea towel is a banging gift, and you can give out 10 at a time to a group, each one individually picked & special to each person.

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

If you're giving Tim Tams, just check where they're made if you're wanting to provide an 'Australian' gift. I've bought them before in Singaporean supermarkets but could only find Tim Tams made in Indonesia rather than Australia.

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