You know how you clear your schedule when you’re anticipating the arrival of a little one? Yeah. That’s where we are right now. Yeah, we’re in the throws of planning a big marriage retreat that is happening 2 weeks ago. But, in between emails and prep work for that, we’re sorta sitting here staring at Helen’s big belly and trying to reason with the little person in there that any time now would be a good time to come on out.
Two people just recently asked me for gift ideas for friends who are adopting from China. So, I’m going to give this baby (and Helen) a break from my harassment and put together a bit of a shopping list for my friends and anyone else who may want to put together an awesome China-travel gift collection for somebody.
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My favorite gift when we were getting ready to go get our daughter was given to me from my mom–a custom silver charm with our daughter’s Chinese name. I so loved wearing it while I waited and then eventually while we traveled. One of my favorite memories is of the orphanage nanny noticing the charm and touching it as she said goodbye to our daughter. That gift actually led to me helping our friend Helen to start a business called Jiayin Designs to help provide for their family. You do have to think ahead to give the gift of this charm–they take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to arrive, and you do need to have a picture of the child’s name in Chinese characters preferably so that the charm is perfect. If that doesn’t work for you, you can always give a gift certificate good for a charm that the mom can order whenever she wants.
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Mark got me a set of packing cubes for my birthday one year right before a trip to China. After using them once, I honestly can’t imagine traveling without them. They aren’t much money and work so well for organizing a family’s packing as well as allowing them to pack way more than they think will fit in their luggage which is pretty important on an adoption trip. I’d suggest getting two sets–one for mom and one for dad. I personally love the teal color but there are manly colors too.
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A luggage scale is a must-have. Families adopting from China have their international flight to China but then have at least one domestic flight if not several where the luggage weight restrictions are lower. Typically, our international flights allow up to 50 lbs per checked bag, but the domestic flights within China only allow 44 lbs. So, a luggage scale is essential for packing before you leave as well as repacking as the family is in China. Here are two of our favorites–this one from EatSmart or this one from Balanzza.
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Not everyone likes wearing a money belt type of thing like this–maybe they’re too reminiscent of an old-fashioned fanny pack? Regardless, they come in really handy when shopping in an outdoor market to quickly pull out some RMB for those treasures to take home without opening your backpack all up, etc.
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Even with the money belt, this custom made travel wallet for cards, passport, pen, travel documents, etc. is awesome. I don’t have one myself, but I’m very envious of the one that Annie from Stitchbird and Fern donated for a raffle at Together Called last year. It’s downright beautiful and is made really really well.
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Yes, this is obnoxiously bright. But, that’s the point. Baggage claim is way easier with a couple obnoxiously bright luggage tags. I haven’t tried this brand personally, but their brightness looks like they’d be a good choice.
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When traveling to China, you really only need a plug adapter (not an electric converter) for your computer, phone, iPad, and camera charger. They can handle the voltage and just need the right type of plug. Trust me when I say travelers shouldn’t bother with bringing a hair dryer and/or flat iron to use with a converter. It’ll probably be destroyed within a day or two (and you don’t want to burn your hotel down or anything).
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If I were a rich girl, I’d have basically every available item from Tom Bihn. They have a ton of very clever travel solutions. I don’t have this particular piece myself to organize plug adapters and phone cords and the like (cleverly named the Snake Charmer), but one in burnt orange is on my own wish list (Tom Bihn, feel free to send one along as a thank you for the mention :) ). It would make a really fun gift to order the plug adapters and the Snake Charmer to go with them. But, if you need to go cheaper, you can find some cheap varied colored bags on Amazon that can organize all your goodies too.
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These toiletry bags (aka Spiff kit) from Tom Bihn in Wasabi are also on my wish list. Grab this bag and some other color coordinated accessories like the travel tray or Stuff Sack. The travel tray is awesome. (Tom Bihn, add a set of Wasabi accessories to that package you are sending me, please :) )
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I love this customized spiral bound travel journal with the China map on the cover and whatever text you want from Vintage Page Designs. Here’s another journal option too from Atlas Art that is a bit cheaper but still very cool for a gift.
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Okay, so these are $299. I know. And, likely nobody’s buying these noise-canceling headphones as a gift. But, I had to share them because we were able to get a pair using frequent flyer miles that were expiring and they are LIFE CHANGING. Seriously. If you have $300 to spare, get these. You’re welcome.
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Families don’t need this to travel, but they are gonna need this baby soon enough. We use our rice cooker to make rice (duh) as well as congee, steamed buns, and veggies. Ours gets a serious workout (i.e., it was used three times a day).
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And, here’s another post-China adoption must have, in my opinion (especially if you have an older child). Every family in China uses one of these babies as do orphanages. There’s no such thing as a cold beverage in China; hot is where it’s at. Use this electric kettle to heat up drinking water (no tea needed, just hot water). This is currently the most used appliance in our home.
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The Pleco Chinese Translator app is free but has in-app purchases that make it awesome. I paid something like $30 for all the features which sounds like a lot, but I use it constantly in China and have even used it often with Helen here. It’s the best app we’ve found for translating and comes in very very handy (even without all the features) when the family is trying to communicate with their guide, orphanage staff, and even possibly their son or daughter in the case of older child adoption. Consider gifting the family $30 in an iTunes gift card for this purpose.
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Another gift idea I’d suggest would be books about China travel, culture, or adoption in general. Some of my favorite recommendations to that end are:
- China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps, 3rd Edition
- China in Ten Words
- Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Loss and Love
- Wish You Happy Forever: What China’s Orphans Taught Me About Moving Mountains
- On the Night You Were Born
- Eating Bitterness: Stories from the Front Lines of China’s Great Urban Migration
- No Drama Discipline
- The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family
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- I Love You Rituals
Any other ideas? Feel free to share them with me, and I’ll add them to the list…because, you know, I’ve got all the time in the world while I’m waiting here for this baby to show up.
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