The perfect souvenir from Poland

I am heading home soon and would like to bring some souvenirs home to friends and family that represent Poland. Of course I have booze, chocolate, small gifts for certain people. But what else can I bring home that represents Poland?

zubrowka? sausages?

Maybe bring a few drunk Poles...

a baby........ "mum, dad look what I have brought home" :)

Loooool ! :)

I used to get some stuff from "Cepelia" stores. Do they still exist?

Yes.

I will have been here 9 months and my father is sure I went to have a child. He does not have internet so he hasn't seen pictures of me. He thinks it's funny and tells his friends I have lied to him and went to have a child. My boyfriend is a med student here and I got some ultrasound practice photos of his kidney and sent them to him. I don't think he will think his joke is funny anymore!

Been to Cepelia and there's really nothing there that strikes me. Something unique would be wonderful but I can't figure out what it is that I want.

Try looking for amber jewelry. Poland has over 1000 years old tradition of making it. Or take a look around for polish folk handcraft like hand made handkerchiefs, wooden sculptures of devils and angels, dishes covered with the images of flowers, kierpce (polish highlanders shoes), ciupagi (polish higlenders axe), the sculpture of Lajkonik or maybe Warsaw’s Syrenka? It basically depends where you currently are and it varies from reproductions of the biggest medieval battle, the battle of Grundwald to some commie posters or sculptures of comrade Gierek, etc...

Definitely some wooden sculptures. I've come across a few amazing pieces while driving cross country. The Amber would also be a good idea except be careful who you buy from. There are people selling fake Amber. A way to test amber is to tear a small corner off a piece of paper and rub the amber on a cotton shirt and this charged amber should pick up the paper like a magnet ;) Only amber will do that.

Maybe some special liquor. Miod Pitny or maybe some sliwowica or Wisnowka. Poland has a few different flavored Vodkas that you may like.

Fisz, you just can't stop amassing me with your knowledge about Poland. Respect. :)

Of curse you are right about the amber. As for the sculptures, I'm planning to visit a fair in September in a small village in Wielkopolska. There will be a lot of sculpturers selling their works, plus a lot of folk singing and eating out some regional specialties. I love the Christian and Slavic pagan mish mash in the folk culture. Devils, daemons, angels, vampires, strzyga's, werewolf’s, spooky lakes with the water creatures, crossroads and crosses that stand there to keep away bad spirits, etc... I just can't wait. :)
)

Thanks. I like to share what I come across and I'm always happy to give tips to other foreigners that want to experience the same.

I really enjoy getting around to all of the small villages to see what each has to offer. I like to get the culture full force and stray away from the tourist paths :) I myself enjoy art and I'm so amazed by the talented artists that go un-noticed. I try to buy at least 1 piece of art to show my appreciation for their skill. Some of the best I've found in route to Koszalin from Poznan... route 10 I think. Here people will also find amazing honey :)

Valmoe. PL honey from flowers is superb and worth bringing home. There a re few different types to enjoy.


I'd like to do this next time I go. I don't know when that'll be though. I'm thinking the winter :/ So much for fairs :) I'll have to enjoy the mountains instead :) Just as fun to visit small mtn villages too :)

Never heard of that. Terrible thing, people seem to be more interested in American things that teaching me about Polish things. Thanks a million for your help. I'll have to look into Flower honey?

You can buy some if you forget, but I'd rather find it roadside.

alvanatural.co.uk/honey.htm

Yeah, it could be a problem to find a fair in the middle of winter. :)

But since you brought up the topic of Polish honey... The first literal information about making honey in Poland dates back to the Xth century, and still proto-poles were making it long before that date. Medieval Poland was famous for it's quality honey and wax and was one of the biggest producers and exporters of this products in Europe till XVIII century. Polish beekeepers were a separate privileged group, destroying a hive was punished by death and the most popular alcohol of that times were “miód pitny” (mead) considered to be a lot more precious than wine by our nobles at that time. Also when we talk about honey we have to mention Jan Dzierżon, the father of modern apiculture, most known for his discovery of parthenogenesis among bees and for designing a movable-frame beehive. So yeah, I guess that taking back honey, as a souvenir is definitely a good idea. :)

I have a question about the amber from Poland. I recently returned from a trip to Poland, bought a few pieces of amber jewelry and am looking to buy a few more pieces. Is there a website I could buy from and feel be assured its the real thing? I tried Cepelia's website, but it doesn't appear I can place an order from the U.S. Any suggestions? Thanks

I'd definately try to find a Lifelike baby doll.
Really screw with his mind. Lol

Here are some but I don't know If they send to America.

amberland.pl/index.php?str=art&gr=5

silveramber.net

ebursztyn.pl

Thank you! I will check out the websites.

There is a store near Sadyba that sells good quality amber products

Address of store is at : ul Żegiestowska 29

see pix at my site : dondonf.multiply.com/photos/album/54/Silver_and_Amber_by_Monika

The amber is absolutely gorgeous in your pictures! Thanks for the suggestion! I was actually looking for recommended websites that sell amber jewelry that I could order from the U.S. I just returned from a trip to Poland, bought some amber jewelry, but want to get a few more pieces. Thanks though!

There are many of them. Type bursztyn sklep internetowy into google and check, which have English language versions.

You are a genius! I need to learn how to speak Polish! I googled what you said to type and that's just what I needed.. Thank you

Maybe he saw a baby instead of a kidney. your poor father.