I'm looking for some advice about gifts to take to cuba?

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Robert C

an English Dictionary so when we take over they will understand the instructions during the transition to freedom

Tropicales

Aside from the general tipping for services:
Things such as gently used clothing and shoes. Jeans are very expensive for them. Makeup, hair clips, feminine products for the women are appreciated. Toiletries such as shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, soaps are nice...creams/lotions, sun lotions as well...pens, pencils, notebooks/paper pads, baseball caps and gloves, sunglasses, sporting goods and equipment, simple toys for the children, disposable diapers, things like Tylenol, dish towels, perfume/after shave samples, magazines, gum/sweets, chocolate....things like this.
It might even be a nice idea to bring a box of chocolates for front reception and/or public relations office as a thank you for their hard work in helping to make your stay enjoyable.

Some are even able to donate school supplies for Cuban children as well.

But as long as the gifts are given with respect and dignity, it will be appreciated.
Even inviting them for dinner or lunch and sharing a meal with them, extending hospitality as well will be kind and they will appreciate your kindness and friendship forever.

These links will help you more ideas:

http://acrosscuba.com/index.php?L=4&B=45
http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/what-to-bring.html
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cuba/3173026502.html

Enjoy your trip!

*edit: another thing you can do is burn some music cds (salsa music and other new dance songs) and give them to the friends you make whom you know would like certain styles. One year I brought a whole bunch of burned discs to listen to on the beach and then gave them to a Cuban friend before I left. To this day it has never been forgotten and the friends are so appreciative.
I just recently received a thank you again from a friend whom I gave a really nice hair conditioner to....6 months later she is still thankful for the gift and loves what it does for her hair...just simple things like that :-)

cubalishus

The Cubans are totally grateful for anything you can give them but tend to love bits of junkie jewellery, make up, nail varnish and remover, Tampax, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, shower gel, sun creams and after suns, plasters, paracetamol or any other over the counter medication you have would be gratefully recieved by them too, I always leave all the above when were returning from Cuba for our maid, they adore chocolate so take some with you to give out, Cadburys choccy fingers go down really well as do Mars bars, writing pads,story books for kiddies and felt tip pens are gratefully received too, any clothes or shoes you don't want to bring back with you will be absolutely welcome to the maids and restaurant staff, have a fab time Cuba really is beautiful.

baseball gloves

joe41111

shoes when i went they love them. clothes, cheap walkmans or cd players, batteries. etc have fun in cuba by the way

Hayley 67

This site might help you determine what to take as gifts

http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/archive/index.php/t-11949.html

RICHARD

A signed autograph of GWB, and Another of JFK lol

Seriously, though
Take
Shirts, and Clothes.
Art is always nice.
Toys, if there are kids there.

Well I dunno what to take there, but if you could bring me back some cigars, that would be awesome

Thanks

GOOD LUCK

.........................................

bored_with_life

I'm guessing you mean gifts for the maids and stuff?

They love hair bangles and bracelets and any kinds of toys for kids. And JUICY FRUIT gum. BIG hit

hgb

Nice handmade portraits or paintings made from photos are always a good gift idea. You can find more such ideas at http://www.paintyourlife.com. They make all types of personalized and unique portraits on oil, pencil, charcoal or on canvas.
The same company also makes wonderful photo prints on canvas in various designs. Visit http://www.photo-print-on-canvas.com

lucÃa Rodriguez

Hi my roots are from cuba my parents are native hispanic cubans i asked my mum to put herself in a maids frame of mind she said the maids there will love and appreciate anything you bring such as little essentials bath oils bubble bath you can get little gift sets of maybe makeup or pampering gift sets can get them pretty cheap in england cubalicious's answer above is pretty correct they will appreciate that too also us cubans are very passionate about dancing so if you can pick up or do a copy of salsa songs from artists such as celia cruz or la charanga habanera they are some common cuban salsa artists they will really enjoy that good luck and have a great time in cuba if you have any other questions about cuba feel free to email chao !!

MD 20-20 cuzz

Bring some batteries and some modern items such as can openers and flashlights.

vesper_love

the last time i went to Cuba i packed my bag with all the clothes i would need plus OTC meds. candies, batteries, old cd players or walkmans and shoes, anything i was willing to give away to charity and then left with only the clothes on my back....

C-Dub

Anything made in the USA...

heyyyy

cloths and toys

hesterthehester

Cigars?

-HtJ

tony

Dont take cigars !.A gift is a gift it is thought thought at back of it that counts ! but i would say money is best may be a voucher.

The Geezer

take some drugs they are short of them there

gigine1966

just about anything but cigars

sweetface

Take American money in place of "gifts" let the people you are visiting determine what they have need of. Cuba is so impoverished. Merchandise is maybe not what they need, but groceries for the week, or clothes that fit, or shoes that fit, or a visit to a doctor. Most countries you will find as you travel are not as materialist as Americans. Be humble as you visit and not proud. Consider their needs versus being Santa Clause

daredevil

A few short skirts and good outfits for yourself and any girls your going with. They love english women over there. And of course you love the men. Truth.

Charlie

a tv? they allowed to have them now i think

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