Any gift you choose will be graciously received, however, Ukrainians appreciate most those gifts that are unavailable in Ukraine, extremely (prohibitively) expensive in Ukraine or those that represent the location/state where you live.

If you need to give a gift to someone and do not have an appropriate item with you, you can always purchase a nice gift in Ukraine. Sometimes, you will find out that officials need or want certain items, or orphanage directors could use specific things. It is always appropriate to purchase these gifts in Ukraine and present them there. You can always include a small gift from your state along with the larger gift you've just purchased.

Nicer Gift Ideas (things other people have given):

• Am/Fm Radio
• Assorted tea sets
• CDs (if you are SURE they have a CD player) or cassette tapes of Western pop music like Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys, Celine Dion, etc.
• Engraved pen and pencil set
• Expensive luxury items - Ukrainians can't afford these right now
• Gold jewelry
• Good quality perfume
• Nice clothes Nice matching clothes sets
  Sweaters, gloves, and scarves
  Disney theme clothes
  
• Purse sets (wallet and purse)
• Walkmans with cassette

Smaller gift ideas (things other people have purchased):

• Appointment books/calendars
• Avon Skin-So-Soft (especially useful since it repels mosquitos)
• Calculators
• Candy, especially almond M&Ms
• Car cleaning items (Armor-all, squeegies, etc.)
• Colognes
• Flashlights
• Glasses (from the drugstore)
• Good, turn-key type manual can openers
• Gourmet instant coffees
• Key chains
• Make-up Eye shadows
  Lip sticks
  Mascara
  Nail polish
  
• Men's dark-colored (black or navy) socks
• Pantihose or dark-colored tights
• Polaroid disposable cameras
• State (Florida, Texas, NY, CA, etc.) T-shirts
• Teapots (particularly novelty ones)

Gifts for the orphanage:

• Baby bottles
• Baby wipes
• Clothes
• Diapers
• Hair ornaments
• Medicines/medical supplies Antibiotic ointment
  Band-aids (especially children's with pictures on them)
  Children's cough syrup
  Children's Tylenol/liquid acetaminophen
  Children's vitamins
  Diaper rash cream
  Thermometers
  
• Nipples designed for babies with cleft lips/palates
• Pencils
• Shoes
• Toothbrushes
• Tootsy roll pops
• Toys Anything that makes music
  Bubble liquid
  Cars and trucks, especially matchbox type
  Crayons and coloring books
  Crib toys (especially the brightly-colored types that attach to the crib)
  Dolls
  Inflatable beach balls
  Puzzles
  Small stuffed animals
  Stickers
  Washable markers
  

Many adoptive parents have shopped very creatively or gotten community groups and churches to make donations. Look for gifts at Sam's or Price Club, other outlet stores, dollar stores, pawn shops, end-of-season sales. Ask your dentist and doctor if they can arrange for a large amount of donations from a toothbrush manufacturer or pharmaceutical company, for example. People will rally round your trip and want to help!

Make your list early -- and pick up a few items every time you go shopping. Before long, you'll have your gifts completed.

Just remember to check with the airlines regarding packaging and baggage restrictions. Many people have shipped their gifts in regular boxes rather than luggage. But...ask BEFORE you arrive at the airport!