Argentina - What gift(s) would be appreciated in Argentina?

I am debating what to take as a gift to Argentina for a middle aged female. I have read gifts of a personal nature (like perfume, scarfs, etc) are frowned upon and that some brands of imported liquor are super expensive. I was orginally going to take perfume, but think a bottle maybe the way to go.

Could FTers familiar with what kinds of liquor are super expensive in Argentina please let me know which bottles will be appreciated. Any other suggestions, what to take? Maybe some crystal glasses or some other items for the house. Really not 100% sure what will be appreciated in Argentina, when I travel I don't shop and I am not sure what products are easily available in Argentina and what is hard to come by or super expensive.

My budget for these gifts is US$200.

Thanks.

Right now, pretty much ANYTHING that is imported would be appreciated. If it is for someone you don't know very well, perhaps a bottle would be in order. Note - EZE has an arrivals duty free shop with ok (not great) pricing if you don't want to carry something, or forget, or want something extra. For example,a large bottle of Tabasco sauce in Argentina, if you can find it, will cost you about as much as a standard bottle of Absolut Vodka in California.

Most Argentine women I know including my wife don't drink a lot of spirits so I would say forget that idea.
You can't really go wrong with a well known brand of perfume...Chanel or Estee Lauder will do.

Have a good trip.

I guess it depends on how well you know this person. Do you want the gift to be more personal or practical? Have you been to her house and have some idea as to her socioeconomic status? Is she married?

I wouldn't give perfume because you probably have no idea what she might like. If I were to suggest a personal gift I would propose a gift basket of personal care products - body wash, lotion, bath salts, etc.

If I were to suggest something of a more practical nature I'd go for high quality towels etc.

A32 inch tv, go to walmart buy one under 300$(no tax). Same tv here is over 4000 pesos! I bring one very time. Leave it in the box, I've brought 7 never a broken one, or stolen, keep the recipt!

iPod touch would prolly score you points also

If I were to suggest something of a more practical nature I'd go for high quality towels etc.

Yes I agree it does really depend who this woman is...hot or not. But towels? :p

A32 inch tv, go to walmart buy one under 300$(no tax). Same tv here is over 4000 pesos! I bring one very time. Leave it in the box, I've brought 7 never a broken one, or stolen, keep the recipt!

iPod touch would prolly score you points also

Strange choice of presents I would say....unless requested.

Yes I agree it does really depend who this woman is...hot or not. But towels? :p
I guess we need to establish whether this relationship is (quasi) romantic. ;) How about a high quality bath robe (to go with the towels).

I guess we need to establish whether this relationship is (quasi) romantic. ;) How about a high quality bath robe (to go with the towels).

Now you're getting nearer the mark. ^
A nice silk negligee perhaps?

Now you're getting nearer the mark. ^
A nice silk negligee perhaps?Well the OP hasn't quite made it clear about the relationship ... If shes hot, she probably wouldn't need tabasco sauce ... :p

I'm surprised no one has suggested... dolares. From all the news reports, that is the most wanted import in Bs As, no? :)

Lol, FTers.

This is a business associate, never been to her house, she is married; she has gone above and beyond and exceeded my expectations. As her customer I'd like show her appreciation for a job well done. That's all.

I'm surprised no one has suggested... dolares. From all the news reports, that is the most wanted import in Bs As, no? :)

like something along the lines of a briefcase with 800K....? :D

--J

Ah.....the sexy night attire wouldn't be a good idea then nor the perfume.

What are expensive here and hard to get are quality made chocolates....something European as I don't rate Argentine made chocolate. So I would suggest a big box of choccies for her and a decent malt whisky for the husband.....just to keep him sweet.

Ah.....the sexy night attire wouldn't be a good idea then nor the perfume.

What are expensive here and hard to get are quality made chocolates....something European as I don't rate Argentine made chocolate. So I would suggest a big box of choccies for her and a decent malt whisky for the husband.....just to keep him sweet.

I might want to drink the bottle of whisky myself. lol. Seriously, these are good suggestions, many thanks.

Does the Duty Free store in the EZE arrivals area have a good selection of single malt?

You might want to ask her if there's anything she'd like from abroad that you could bring her - and if it's in the right price range, just make it a gift.

Ah.....the sexy night attire wouldn't be a good idea then nor the perfume.
Ya see! The embarrassment factor of a silk negligee vs. bath towels ... :D

Does the Duty Free store in the EZE arrivals area have a good selection of single malt?

I've never looked but my guess would be it'll be very limited.
Gaucho100K will have a better idea of what's available here in the shops if you don't want to carry it. In my town malt whisky is quite hard to find but I'm sure in BA there is a wider choice. Best to get it at your end I would say.

Ya see! The embarrassment factor of a silk negligee vs. bath towels ... :D

Only slightly more embarrassing it has to be said. :D

If your associate is an avid reader (especially in English), a Kindle would be a great present.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

You might want to ask her if there's anything she'd like from abroad that you could bring her - and if it's in the right price range, just make it a gift.

That's exactly what I have done, didn't get me very far. I've asked twice, the first time I got a laugh as a reply the second time I was told, "your pressance".
So, I was still in the dark about what to take, which is why I started this thread. I will buy some top quality chocolates and a bottle of 15 yr old single malt. Think I'll add some top quality food products (like biscuits, tea/coffee, etc) to the stash of goods I take with me - that way there'll be a least a few things that she should like.

I am debating what to take as a gift to Argentina for a middle aged female. I have read gifts of a personal nature (like perfume, scarfs, etc) are frowned upon and that some brands of imported liquor are super expensive. I was orginally going to take perfume, but think a bottle maybe the way to go.

Could FTers familiar with what kinds of liquor are super expensive in Argentina please let me know which bottles will be appreciated. Any other suggestions, what to take? Maybe some crystal glasses or some other items for the house. Really not 100% sure what will be appreciated in Argentina, when I travel I don't shop and I am not sure what products are easily available in Argentina and what is hard to come by or super expensive.

My budget for these gifts is US$200.


As for gifts that are frowned upon.... well, it depends. Is the person you will be giving this a business contact...? If so, then I would agree, but if its a social or family contact, then no... a scarf or a perfume would not be out of bounds by any means.

As others have noted above, imported goods are getting scarce and very expensive these days. I agree that something from a well established and traditional brand is the way to go, and also, a bottle of spirits or wine for an Argentine Female would not be customary, unless you are certain that she is a drinker (which is very uncommon).

If your associate is an avid reader (especially in English), a Kindle would be a great present.

Thats a very good suggestion... ^

That's exactly what I have done, didn't get me very far. I've asked twice, the first time I got a laugh as a reply the second time I was told, "your pressance".
So, I was still in the dark about what to take, which is why I started this thread. I will buy some top quality chocolates and a bottle of 15 yr old single malt. Think I'll add some top quality food products (like biscuits, tea/coffee, etc) to the stash of goods I take with me - that way there'll be a least a few things that she should like.

Ask again... be specific. Explain that you can just go and buy whatever but that you would prefer to hit the spot with something that she will enjoy. I would strongly suggest you ask her if she drinks Spirits... as from your idea above that will take a quite relevant part of your budget.

Some coffee beans would be good.....you can drink good cognac here far cheaper than you can inferior coffee. :D

With electronics being so expensive, a TV isn't crazy at all. It would be a very appreciated gift, as would a kindle.

I second the asking her what she wants. People want weird stuff here.

My friend is bringing me some algae oil pills (taking them instead of fish oil) and a gigabit switch next week. :)

With electronics being so expensive, a TV isn't crazy at all. It would be a very appreciated gift, as would a kindle.

I second the asking her what she wants. People want weird stuff here.

My friend is bringing me some algae oil pills (taking them instead of fish oil) and a gigabit switch next week. :)

Welcome to FT.... hope to see you on these boards more often... :D ^

Thanks.

Welcome to FT.... hope to see you on these boards more often... :D ^

Indeed....hang around.