What to bring from Russia

If you are going home for the holidays and want to bring your family and friends something extra from Russia, this list is for you. 

Sweets

• Cranberries in powdered sugar – an old-school treat for those who love the combination of sweet and sour.
• Honey – look for Bashkir honey, the kind produced in the Republic of Bashkortostan. 
• Pryaniki – the Russian take on gingerbread comes in all shapes, sizes, and flavors; of note here are the massive Tula pryaniki. 
• Sweetened condensed milk – as it is something typically Russian, it could be a nice gift for someone with a sweet tooth; alternatively, you can find a Tula pryanik with a boiled condensed milk (aka dulce de leche) filling or get a bag of oreshki cookies, a beloved local treat found at most bakeries.
• “Sweet present” – in English, this could be a great mantra, but in Russia, it’s a holiday box of sweets received by every child at their school’s New Year fest; these usually have all the local favorites: tiny Alyonka chocolate bars, Мишка на севере (Bear in the North), Красная шапочка (Little Red Riding Hood), Каракум (Karakum), and more. 

Russian “staples”

• Caviar – a stereotypical Russian thing to eat in movies and also a staple at the local New Year table.
• Matryoshka – a nesting doll with many of smaller dolls inside it; though traditionally Russian, at many local homes matryoshkas, too, have turned into souvenirs. It might be a cool gift to bring home – especially if you are looking to start a collection of unique knick-knacks from your travels.
• Ushanka – funny if bought at a souvenir stall and practical if purchased (modern-looking) at a local store, this weird-looking hat is a must-have for any demure Russian man in a Hollywood movie. It can be a thoughtful gift for someone you know is going to face the cold this winter.
• Cheburashka – this cute creature of unknown origin has been capturing the hearts of generations, with its recent appearance on film breaking box office records. Depending on your preferences, it could be a snuggly plush toy, a figurine, or anything with Cheburashka’s face on it. With the backstory you provide, it will make a fun gift in any case.

Personal touch

• Show your family your own Russia (St. Petersburg) – bring a treat from the bakery you drop by every day or a bag of coffee beans from your favorite coffee shop; the merch of your university (shout out to ITMO STORE) or any place you love around the city, etc. Think of something that has made your year here and bring a piece to share with your loved ones.

• Postcards – again, get them from your favorite place (bookstore, coffee shop, museum…) and add a story about it in the inscription: maybe this place reminded you of your addressee? This’ll make it a true heart-warmer.

A Russian souvenir – appreciated by locals, too

Some souvenirs become symbolic of the place they represent, just because they are cherished so much by the local community. Although it’s not to say that Bashkir honey or sweets won’t be appreciated by your Russian friends, some of the points below are also likely to make a hit:

• St. Pete sweets – from Sever, Metropol, Shchastie, or Cultura (as well as Bushe for locals); will for sure get you in someone’s good graces. It’s also a great “gift” to bring when you are invited на чай (for tea) by a Russian friend.
• Knitwear and scarves – if you want to go traditional, look for scarves or shawls from Orenburg or Pavlovsky Posad: these are brightly colored, warm, and have recently made a fashion comeback; if you want something more “trendy,” check out wool knitted caps from local craftsmen at fairs, markets, and stores like Tvoya Polka and Locali. By the way, wool mittens and socks are nice gift ideas, too!
• Imperial’s Porcelain Factory china – a little bit on the pricey side, but made to amaze, Imperial Porcelain mugs, cups, and plates will definitely elevate any meal.

The best gift is… handmade

Or so goes a popular Russian saying. Depending on your skills, you can choose to make all sorts of things! In order of complexity, some ideas are:

• Gingerbread cookies (for example, here’s a recipe that’s not too daunting)
• Canned caramel (tons of recipes online; be careful not to burn yourself!)
• Holiday decorations: snowflakes, wreaths, hand-painted baubles, etc.
• Personalized tote bag
• Scented candles
• Custom photo album 

Digital gifts and certificates

From obvious ones – paying for someone’s subscription to a streaming service – to more creative options, like getting them a membership to a gym or yoga studio, a gift card to a grocery store (can be handy after the holidays, when they’ve spent everything on gifts), a beauty store (Gold Apple is a local giant), a ceramics workshop, a dance class… Just think of what your friend is into and the world is your oyster.

Local brands

Over the years, we’ve written about all kinds of Russian and St. Petersburg brands that make for a perfect gift – or will inspire you to think of one: 

Donating to a cause

It can be that your addressee isn’t fond of gifts. If you still want to honor them in some way, it can be a good idea to donate to a good cause or a charity of their choice – try discussing it with them to see if this option is a good fit.

Inspiration

What if, even on this extensive list, you haven’t found that one idea that makes sense to you? Well, inspiration is a tricky thing and it may be best to let it all cook for a while. If you want some guidelines when picking a gift for your Russian friends, check out this holiday guide and this article on gift-giving in Russia. And for some hints as to what makes a gift best or worst, consider this article with our personal experiences.

Happy gift hunting!