My Russian family is divided into two camps when it comes to gifts: practical and useless. Try getting mom a nice, expensive frying pan and you’ll probably be catching it hurdled at your head. Try getting dad a trinket for his nightstand and you’ll be accused of dust pollution. And there’s my sister and her husband who said they’re just going to IKEA together to buy each other presents right on the spot.
What do most Russians want for New Year? Cash, travel, smartphones, cosmetics, and perfumes top the wish list, according to HKTDC. Books, some of the most popular gifts in St.Petersburg, are easily outperformed in South Russia by personal care and wellness items.
Some 80% of Russian women and 70% of Russian men confess to purchasing their own gifts, which is often the case between spouses. “Your granddad gave me nice earrings for New Year’s,” my grandma would say, heading to the store.
The people who have it the worst are doctors, teachers, and distant friends, who are destined to end up with mountains of chocolates or perfume (an option I never understood; because how would you possibly know their favorite smell?).
If you’re thinking about what to get for your Russian friends, consider this:
Ask and ask again. They’ll tell you they don’t need anything. Once, twice and then they’ll come up with something they actually want. It will take some coaxing, but they will come through, even if on New Year’s Eve.
Follow Chinese New Year symbolism. Even though the Year of the Pig doesn’t technically start until February, Russians will be celebrating it on New Year’s Eve, and souvenirs with all sorts of pigs are fair game.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive. There’s no rule that says the more you invest in the gift, the more the recipient will love you in the new year. It’s truly the thought that counts.
Could an experience be a thoughtful gift? Consider a ticket to the movies, a quest-room or an exhibition for that magic envelope under the tree, or better yet, suggest that you do it together.
If you’re going to a New Year’s Eve party, don’t try to get a gift for everyone - get something that everyone can enjoy instead, like pastries or fruit.
Follow the local tradition and buy a gift for yourself. Where else would you get a traditional Russian souvenir, an iPhone cover with a painting from the Hermitage, hand knitted mittens from a street fair, or yellow socks with Peterhof?
My family has given each other everything from travel-sized shampoos, when any shampoo was a challenge to find, to a new kitchen window. Underwear and razor blades from New Years past are still in use today. Yes, we all try our best to find something special, but in the end, it was never really about the gifts, right?
