tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post2731455591433960633..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Gifts: Travelers' treasuresDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-78178489975403619902014-04-27T01:15:36.595-04:002014-04-27T01:15:36.595-04:00I have a scarf from Paris that you gave me which I...I have a scarf from Paris that you gave me which I cherish for its perfect reflection of me in you. So generous you are.diverchichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07753507927794435960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-19454165115214130882014-04-06T18:04:37.855-04:002014-04-06T18:04:37.855-04:00You are fortunate to have such thoughtful friends....You are fortunate to have such thoughtful friends. And their gifts are very "you."<br /><br />I tend not to buy "big" gifts for people when I'm traveling -- though I do like to bring special food and spices. And it was great fun to buy charms around the world for my eldest niece and god-daughter to put on their charm bracelets. <br /><br />And when I'm in the States, I buy things that you'd hardly see as gifts unless they were impossible to get where you are. I made some Spanish friends very happy indeed with big boxes of Spike seasoning and a roll of Velcro cord wraps. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-19193578696449195802014-04-03T20:44:01.994-04:002014-04-03T20:44:01.994-04:00I love sometimes buying something that catches my ...I love sometimes buying something that catches my eye and speaks either to me directly or reminds me of a particular person. Then that combination of the place and person seems important and I might buy a gift (for myself or others) too often I've given up the "expected" gifts. There is too much in the world I come from.<br /><br />What I love about the treasures you post each that they each seem to capture that sense of having been specially and thoughtfully chosen. And that is a true treasure.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-77288512466908650462014-04-03T16:17:20.644-04:002014-04-03T16:17:20.644-04:00lagatta: Books are a wonderful gift and there are ...lagatta: Books are a wonderful gift and there are so many small presses we cannot get here, even by online means.<br /><br />Mme: Otherwise I stick them in a drawer and forget them!<br /><br />unefemme: I used to do a lot more of such shopping and still on occasion see something for someone. Much more fun when not expected.<br /><br />Janice: Each has "the eye"- and are kind enough to share their discoveries.<br /><br />LauraH: And some pieces are made far, far from where sold!<br /><br />frugal: That is why I largely stopped doing it, but my pleasure has led me to go back to travel gifts.<br /><br />Anon@11:54: For me, it is a way to connect with people and the culture, even if I do not buy a lot. In China I too would want to look at silk... and so easy to carry back.<br /><br />hostess: We have a Ten thousand Villages here, too. Lots of appealing things.<br /><br />Beth: Next year!<br /><br />Eleanorjane: Yes, there is that cachet. I bought tiny enameled Kashmiri pillboxes when in India, for several friends, a cashmere scarf for another. Even if I saw them in a shop here, I can still taste the tea I was offered as I slowly made my selection, and smell the attar. That is part of the charm.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-7633418490874014312014-04-03T15:58:17.744-04:002014-04-03T15:58:17.744-04:00What beautiful gifts (particularly the shawl). I t...What beautiful gifts (particularly the shawl). I think there is still a cache about gifts bought while travelling. I tend to try to buy things for my sister in law as she lives in London and is fairly well paid - there's nothing we can buy that she wouldn't be able to buy herself unless it's from a country she hasn't visited. <br /><br />I also really treasure the things I buy myself while travelling for the memories they evoke. Eleanorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15458995916551328770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-48609428548742436162014-04-03T13:24:07.098-04:002014-04-03T13:24:07.098-04:00You and Le Duc are thoughtful yourselves, and dese...You and Le Duc are thoughtful yourselves, and deserve thoughtful gifts! I really enjoyed looking with you in mind and only wish I'd bought a few more things - guess I was expecting that extra day! I love that shawl, too.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15829062955658284450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-21193314661827147312014-04-03T12:00:05.619-04:002014-04-03T12:00:05.619-04:00I would say that your friends know you well....all...I would say that your friends know you well....all those gifts will be used. All are tasteful and chosen with care. You have some very thoughtful friends....<br />We have a shop here Ten Thousand Villages which stocks handmade items from across the globe. It is a treasure trove and one needn't travel far to get a taste of the culture for a minimal expense. But nothing compares to actually doing business with the merchant in person in their own country. hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-86279327082546196602014-04-03T11:54:55.705-04:002014-04-03T11:54:55.705-04:00What a great subject, as usual. We just returned ...What a great subject, as usual. We just returned home from a 3 week trip to China and bought almost nothing. I purchased an inexpensive silk scarf ($10) and 2 small ceramic bowls, all of unknown origin. My partner purchased 3 shirts, made in China, complete with designer labels. Friends and family claim not to want more "stuff" so we don't shop for them any more. We spoke to many North American travellers during our trip and most indicated that they no longer shopped on their vacations. It used to be fun poking through market stalls and little shops. On the bright side, now we can travel with much smaller suitcases.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-1814820385057857242014-04-03T09:37:29.469-04:002014-04-03T09:37:29.469-04:00Your friends are great with gifts. I love everythi...Your friends are great with gifts. I love everything.<br /><br /> My daughter got us all handknit slipper socks in Serbia. We love them.<br /><br />It does seem that many things from Europe are now available in the US and Canada--and at about the same prices. frugalscholarhttp://frugalscholar.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-88530176180967701842014-04-03T09:32:57.228-04:002014-04-03T09:32:57.228-04:00I too prefer an artisan made gift, although it can...I too prefer an artisan made gift, although it can be surprisingly tricky to determine where a piece is made. On a recent trip to South Africa, I found gifts of jewellery and scarves that were African-made but perhaps in another country. The best gift a collection of shells and rocks found on the journey for my young nephew.<br /><br /> That shawl is gorgeous and so warming, a lovely colour for this hesitant spring. And those earrings are the prefect spring combination of icy sparkly blue and sunny gold. You're lucky to have such thoughtful friends.LauraHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03402103522466794364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-2191665615048197412014-04-03T09:06:52.436-04:002014-04-03T09:06:52.436-04:00What gorgeous gifts - your friends have excellent ...What gorgeous gifts - your friends have excellent taste! But of course, they are YOUR friends, so we know they can spot beauty and quality.The Vivenne Fileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740975051742023907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-61851548433465565172014-04-03T08:55:40.920-04:002014-04-03T08:55:40.920-04:00Le monsieur still tries to bring gifts back for ab...<i>Le monsieur</i> still tries to bring gifts back for about a dozen people every time we travel. Mustards from the Maille boutique, glass jewelry from Venice, scarves have all been favorites. We usually go through Heathrow, so during layovers do a sweep for Cadbury treats that aren't available here for anyone we might have forgotten. <br /><br />Your gifts are lovely, especially those earrings! Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-23735380742922056262014-04-03T08:34:29.966-04:002014-04-03T08:34:29.966-04:00The shawl is beautiful and what a good idea to put...The shawl is beautiful and what a good idea to put your perfume samples in the pottery piece.Madame Là-bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16703782237948233124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-22083531791127611882014-04-03T08:19:14.554-04:002014-04-03T08:19:14.554-04:00An old friend from Paris, who is very much the wor...An old friend from Paris, who is very much the world traveller, visited me recently. However he is also an author, so of course his gifts were books. <br /><br />I used to bring back little Duralex glasses, but they are available in Montréal now. Another good, cheap gift is a set of gants de toilette - so much nicer than facecloths. <br /><br />How I love that shawl!lagatta à montréalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610410709900333230noreply@blogger.com