What are some of the most popular but affordable gifts that folks in Pakistan appreciate these days? I’ve heard that there is nothing you cannot buy there so nothing is really unique.
chocolate.Oh and face/hand lotions.The ones there are no good, or maybe Im just addicted to Canadian products.
^Yup Candy alwayz works..
I think it depends on the individual receiving the gifts. My cousins told me they are into body lotions and to bring them that kinda stuff in the future (stuff by Clinique and other name brands) and nice shampoos/conditioners ... even perfumes/colognes. I think it all depends on the family.
They love body splash. Its something new for them. Talc powders. Shimmer lotions. Body glitter. Hair glitter. Make-up.
For guys: deoderants :k:
As you said, almost everything is available in Pakistan… so take gifts for them just like you will give a gift to someone in Canada … based on what you think a person will like, and not driven by what is and is not available in Pakistan.
Long time so see, where were u Tootsie ji 
Okay let me put up a more detailed/dbingish reply
Honestly, in Pakistan ppl still can not get over anything if its bahir-ka-mal. Esp’ if its given to them by someone directly from overseas. They love to brag and make a drama about it. The latest trends in Pakistan have been quite interesting. Aunties and younger chicks have gone nuts over branded products.
Gucci being the number 1 hit! Purses, shoes, perfumes by Gucci makes other envious of those that have it. Liz Claiborne is acceptable too. Their recent perfume Bora Bora is quite nice (for women/men). It comes with a gift pack of body spray/body gel etc. That can make a nice gift pack. J Lo’s Still can be a good choice too, since ppl are familiar with J Lo back there too. U want a Canadian made perfume-> try Doulton. Oh Calvin Klien’s are always well liked. Elizabeth Arden has a great (desi oriented) collection too. Perfumes are never outdated with desis back home.
For little girls…Barbies or related products. For toddlers, fisher price toys or others. Also you can get Claire’s or Ardene’s gift packs for girls or teenagers. Jewelry/cosmetic (lip gloss etc) are quite trendy. Bracelets are very popular with girls back home also toe rings.
For boys: Hmm.. how about a maccano (sp?) set 
Or Canadian souvenir T-shirts. Always appreciated! Unless someone is utterly a die hard Pakistani Patriot (I’ve never come across one so far, who’d reject them). Swimming goggles/ floats or something for a swim fan. Roller blades. Scrabble. I think I shud stop.
Here’s a few other ideas that I haven’t seen available in large variety in Pak (I’ve looked up all huge cities in Pak except Karachi for these items).
-Wind chimes (really nice huge ones, concept not yet introduced largely to desis)
-Pot pourie (with really really good fragrances)
-Them Huge heavy load clunker fragrance Candles (I’ve come across neon colored and awful smelly ones in stores like “Pot Pourie” Lahore, and HKB )
- Decorator Jell Crystals (ones u use in flower arrangement in clear glass vases), flowers (quality/colours of canadian/American/england ones is far better than those available in china market of Islamabad, though my islamabadian aunt will kill me if she finds this out)
-dry arrangement/ craft material eg. Glue gun can be so useful to someone related that hobby
-Any catchy item from Ikea (ppl watching Oprah and other home décor shows are familiar with that shop in pak, apparently they’ve to travel all the way to Dubai to get a taste of it). - Cosmetics for women (don’t have to buy clinique, get anything. The lipglosses can be perfect)
-The gift basket accessories from the Body Shop
-Chocolates (Turtles, looked everywhere in Pak, never saw them. Lintdor/Lindtor (sp???) very yum! Licorice still hasn’t reached pak yet neither has the cane candy. Oh get those HUUUGE loly Pops from the candy specialty stores. Hubba Bubba Gums, 12 feet strawberry gum, Fruit leather/roll ups. All this candy I’ve mentioned isn’t available there
do I need to put up a list for uncle type gifts??? Ok an electronic organizer/day planner. Cuban cigars. Canada Dry (yes, the tonic water) 
haha…tie pins(for younger guys), ties, sweaters (for aunties too). Aftershaves. Electric shaver for uncles. Pajamas/Gown. A jazzy Lighter.
Grab a magazine woman (avon, sears etc) they’ll have plenty unique uncle type things listed that aren’t in Pak for sure. I’m getting hungry and I’ve to cook, pray, put my lil one to sleep …
bub bye for now
candels for those who like em :) when i went to pak i had a bag full of candels and teadybears for my cousins .
parfumes
Pot pourie is good idea ..
producates from The body shop and Mac .
Baby clothes etc
hm, well, watever u decide to give, dont think that desies know nothing and u can just give em a can of lynx deoderant and they,d be happy.. hint hint PCG 
it really depends who ur giving it to and what they like/dislike… but rather than giving someone cheap sunglasses/ deoderants, ur better off giving em a nice box of chocolates. trust me on this, i was once sent a cheap pair of sunglasses and i almost felt insulted and thought, what do these people from abroad think? we live in caves here? (ok i know it sounds rude but hay, thats how i felt, and was even tempted to send it back, but then thought, nah, that,d be too rude.. i know its in the heart and i appreciate gifts and the good intentions behind them.. its not about money etc. but i wouldv prefered even a pack of candies or a nice book even (even though i dont read) over a low quality sunnies that i,m never gona wear). well, the bottom line is, give em stuff if its nice… dont bother with cheap low quality stuff. i would suggest nice cosmetics for girls, creams, lipglosses, lotions, shampoos etc, which are always a hit… for a guy, i dunno, a nice jumper/sweaters etc, or something they,d appreciate, whcih really depends wat they are into. for simple village folks, nice sweaters/jackets, colognes etc. is fine. a general decore item like a nice crystal piece etc. is also nice. chocolates were always welcomed by greedy eyes. (by me 
)
For those of you that have suggested Gucci and other such branded products, can you please also post what kind of prices I'd be paying for this stuff? Cuz last time I bought my Gucci fragrance it was around $80.00.
After affording the ticket for child and hubby, purchasing $80.00 gifts for some 45 relatives is not realistic.
The shampoos and lotions are a great idea and I know they go over really well too, but the weight! I'm going for almost two months and I have a lot of baby stuff for Noor so luggage is also an issue.
Chocolates are good.....I'll get a bunch of them.
Think people, think!
^ Oh!!!!
Order from navarro. I dont know if you have stores in your areas, but they sell perfumes at a discounted price. The quality is good. Or go to a flea market?
Perfumania will have sales often also.
I'd say stay souvenir oriented... majority of the 'stuff' in North America is Made in China anyways and guess what.. China is closer to Pakistan with plenty of land routes.. what we get here is what they can get there...
Canadian logo T-shirts and caps for kids should be good. Gap or Old Navy has nice bargains on clothes sometimes.. Look out for Sales.
Pricey brand name cosmetics is another option, but you'd have to pay for it.
Consider some good Books.. they are expensive here but some never make it to Pakistan.
Fashion Jewellry is inexpensive or on Sale and you can find good brand named ones in the malls sometimes. Also try places like Winners etc. You should be able to find reasonably priced brand name handbags (under $30) there too... go near the end of the month.
Cheap digital cameras make a good gift .. u can get brand new 3.2MP on e-bay for under $60
Good Luck!
Presents are going to be compared, discussed and bitched among the relatives. You are better off without any. Nice dinner for individual families is a much better alternative in my opinion. I am just going with a bouquet of flowers and a smile (..all prepared for the worst).
Fayz you're the one visiting them.. so tradionally THEY are the ones who'd take you out to dine
Dn't be a cheapskate and wriggle out of giving presents on some presumption. Take something.. they'll like it.. or at least you'd have done the right thing..
You think a cheap camera would do the trick? :-p
Personally, I believe in giving something good or not giving at all. I’d rather give something that I would buy for myself. When it comes to 45 people like she is mentioning, you are better off doing something grand than handing a quarter in everyone’s pocket.
Cheese!!! My Phopho always likes me to take her cheese cos she likes the taste of English cheese.
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U mean to say that after reading names such as "Gucci" U over looked everything else in the list I posted? Awww... ok... U are better off with candy and chocolates. Always makes everyone smile. Have a nice trip:)
Fayz
I agree with you here, dont give something for the sake of giving.
Muzna, here are a few rules
1) buy what they may like
2) buy what you can afford to buy
3) buy with sincerity and not that it is something that needs to be done
I would prefer a box of chocolates, or even a box of mithai given with sincerity more than I would like some generic crystal vase from some cut price liquidation center.
and no matter how good your intentions some people are not going to be happy, so do not let the "trying to make people happy" approach get in your way, do what you think is right, what you can do, and do it with sincerity.
DB, I’m going to print your list and give it to my mom. She’ll be thrilled. 
Those are great ideas!
Muzna, everything I can think of at the moment is food related. (There’s an hour and a half till iftari.) 