Be prepared to give gifts to at least the following people:

Six (6) to eight (8) nice gifts - price value of between $15-20 - for:

• Director of the National Adoption Center
• The lady at the adoption center who shows you the children available.
• The Judge
• Facilitator #1
• Facilitator #2
• The Orphanage director and possibly the assistant director
• Driver(s)
• Homestay host/hostess - usually at the end of your visit when you return to Kyiv. (Many people grow so fond of their hosts that they want to give them a special gift.)

Bring at least 25 other, smaller gifts, price range $5-10, for:

• Care takers,
• Notary people,
• City guardian people,
• Passport people,
• Host family people,
• Anyone who is helpful to you with your adoption.

Keep in mind that the types of gifts that are well received change frequently due to the availability or lack of availability of those items in Ukraine. While any gift will be graciously received, the most appreciated gifts seem to be those that are currently unavailable or cost prohibitive locally.

A few years ago, for example, the big gift items were cigarettes and makeup; however, these items appear to be readily available now and, in some cases, are even less expensive than in the U.S.

It's best to get current suggestions from your advisor or from recent travelers. Your facilitator may know that the director of your child's orphanage collects a particular thing or has admired a gift left by another family, so check with the facilitator for gift ideas as well.

- Carolyn