Muzna, Ok one last shot… Other than chocolates… Nuts are really appreciated. U can do this. Get a number of items from food bulk at Safeway or Super Store (u’re still on Canadian soil right?). Buy candies, cashew nuts/Hazel/Brazile nuts, almonds etc etc. Make small gift pouches out of the nuts and candies. They make a good treat for adults and children alike. Kinder Surprise chocolates still remain to be favourite of younger children.
Also for more affordable & light weight cosmetic and perfumes. Make a trip to London Drug store, or Shopper’s Drug Mart. They have variety of perfumes, that are great in style and price. You can also pick out bath beans/pearls, a number of different shapped soaps (star fish, roses, daisies, hearts etc etc) that makes a cute unique gift. U can wrap a bunch in a transparent gift wrap, tied with a bow. Timex watches are not bad either with young úns.
Magazines like Cosmo/vouge or books related to baked goods can be a treat to teenagers and the love to cook moms. Don’t forget to ponder a few seconds at Chapters if budget allows and is required.
In the end, Just be happy with yourself. If you are going to stress urself out over others, life will never be quite harmonious yar. Its hard to make ppl happy. However I do strongly recommend, Chocolate still is a magical gift and greatly welcomed!
As long as its not that Pot of Gold or similar kinds
everyone suggested some really nice ideas..but can i suggest something else too. One of my phupho's sister in law..never takes the gifts from US..she always take the money to pakistan..converts the money in karachi..goes to super market and buy things from there. Last time i was in karachi i saw that those super markets had everything from canada and US and infact they were cheaper as compared to canada. So, maybe you wanna buy your immediate family's nice gifts from here and rest from pakistan.
We have about 200 relatives in pakistan and india..and my mom makes sure that everyone gets a gifts..she keeps on buying cosmetics and perfumes from warehouse sales and flea markets. She also buys those canadian t-shirts and keychains for teens from fleamarkets. People usually prefer food items somehow (in my extended family) or kids love chocolates (i usually buy them from bulk barn and wrap them up). Some aunties prefer clear plastic utensils from dollar stores. Oh yes and my chachi once told me in pakistan that those lipgloss and thin lipsticks from revlon cost like Rs. 350 or more ..you can find those lipsticks around $2 from warehouse sales.
I sometime take maple leaf syrup made biscuits and chocolates..and people seem to like those.
For men, my cousins seem to prefer gillette shaving gels..and the small tiny ones don't take up much space.
Elderly folks like winter socks, muflers, flanel pants and juice crystals..oh yes, another favourite gift for them is hot cold gels and bengay or arthritis creams.
DB, I did read the rest of your post....I was just really shocked at the mention of brand names like Gucci and I only had a few moments to compose a reply. I love some of the other ideas that you have mentioned. And since I am mostly concerned about gifts for ladies, light-weight cosmetics are easily obtained and suitable. I have seen some outlet shops.....both for fragrances and cosmetics. I'll give them a shot.
The nuts idea is good too. I think cashews will be really appreciated by the adults, alongwith some pistachios and maybe some other exotic nuts.
Fraud,
You're right....give with sincerity or don't give at all. And I would do that if trips to Pakistan were something that I did often. I would love to give them all something that they cannot get or cannot afford, but unfortunately I can't do that. It's just something that I can't afford to do. I am going to Karachi after 12 years and will be seeing most of my cousins after 18 years. The vast majority of them I've never even seen....but they are young enough to know that baji is coming and innocent enough to expect a gift. I can't let them down.
