Gifts to take home from Poland for Christmas.

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Nov 7, 11, 21:25 #1

I've been wondering about gifts to take home from Poland (Krakow, specifically).

The obvious is Vodka and Kielbasa.

Next, I thought of absinthe - Anyone know the best (subjective, yes, I know) place to purchase, and the better brands?

I've been looking for the chocolate covered plums by Solidarność mentioned in another thread., but no luck so far. Anyone know where I can find them?

Finally, what are your opinions about what I should take back for the non-alcoholic/ non-sweetloving members of my family? ;) And children, of course, need something for all those neices and nephews (Ages 3-12).

♂

Nov 7, 11, 21:46 #2

As regards sweeties for the kiddies, besides chocolate-covered plums, other favourites are ptasie mleczko (chocolate-covered marshallow-like mousse), krówki (carmel-fudge) and delicje (chocolate-covered biscuits with orange filling). Other fillings (cherry, etc.) are available but the original orange is best. Prince Polo wafer bars are also appreciated abroad. And pierniczki (gingerbread-like honey-spice cakes) are also very nice. Katarzynki are a classic variety. Smacznego!

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Edited by: beckski Nov 7, 11, 21:58 #3
littlejagoda: what I should take back for the non-alcoholic/ non-sweetloving members of my family? Some of the females may appreciate some nice decorative linens, made with lace. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

mafketisThreads: 17 Posts: 1,880 Joined: Mar 31, 08 ♂	Nov 7, 11, 22:10 #4
littlejagoda: what I should take back for the non-alcoholic/ non-sweetloving members of my family? You can't go wrong with flaczki!!!!

ShAlEyNsTfOhThreads: 8 Posts: 232 Joined: Feb 5, 11 ♂ [Suspended]	Nov 8, 11, 03:32 #5
buy traditional items... folk clothing/cloths, statues/table top decorations, Baltic amber pieces... to name a few. :D

rybnikThreads: 29 Posts: 1,234 Joined: Jan 16, 11 ♂	Nov 8, 11, 05:21 #6
littlejagoda: The obvious is Vodka and Kielbasa Beware of the sniffer dogs (in the airports)! Think twice about bringing kielbasa.

strzygaThreads: 4 Posts: 988 Joined: Apr 30, 08 ♀	Nov 8, 11, 09:07 #7
aren't the dogs trained not to touch the tourists' kiełbasa?

littlejagodaThreads: 4 Posts: 33 Joined: Oct 19, 11 ♀	Nov 9, 11, 15:08 #8
Thank you all!

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09 ♂	Edited by: gumishu Nov 9, 11, 18:56 #9
Polonius3: krówki (carmel-fudge) again Solidarność cream fudges are the best - they are the most mild (ie not too sweet) - you won't find Śliwka nałęczowska http://www.solidarnosc.pl/index.php?option=products&task=list&cid=23 in discount stores - look in sweet shops and delis

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 57 Posts: 5,478 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Nov 9, 11, 19:26 #10
I think one of those hand carved Zakopane chess sets make an excellent present.

pipThreads: 11 Posts: 1,293 Joined: Jul 4, 11 ♀	Nov 9, 11, 21:31 #11
Hit the sukienice in Krakow. Wood carvings, amber, leather, wooden boxes and toys, highlander slippers, silver jewelry, glass-not very practical but nice. that alcohol with the gold flecks is nice. baskets

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Nov 10, 11, 04:44 #12
pip: amber I saw gorgeous amber jewelry in Poland. If your friends & relatives are religious, you may consider an amber rosary. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

ShAlEyNsTfOhThreads: 8 Posts: 232 Joined: Feb 5, 11 ♂ [Suspended]	Nov 10, 11, 04:47 #13
beckski: I saw gorgeous amber jewelry in Poland. If your friends & relatives are religious, you may consider an amber rosary. just keep it away from heat ;)

theKNOWLEDGE	Nov 10, 11, 06:17 #14
littlejagoda: Next, I thought of absinthe - Anyone know the best (subjective, yes, I know) place to purchase, and the better brands? Why would you buy this when it's not particularly drunk in Poland?

♂

Edited by: teflcat Nov 10, 11, 13:02 #15

littlejagoda:

I've been looking for the chocolate covered plums by Solidarność mentioned in another thread., but no luck so far. Anyone know where I can find them?

I can't imagine why you're having trouble finding them. It's a leading Polish company and their products are on sale almost everywhere. Ask someone local.
I recommend Polish linen. It's not cheap but it's first class stuff. I bought some small table napkins for about 25PLN each.
I don't think absinth is legal in Poland.

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Nov 10, 11, 21:06 #16

Ah, found the chocolates at the galeria. Like an idiot, I was looking for them in my local convenience stores.

I'm pretty sure absinthe is legal in Poland, probably just not popular.It's just alcohol, after all. The hallucinogen stories are pure BS.The reason I want to take it is because it's a novelty and not easily available where my extended family lives. I find it suits me a lot better than wine/beer/whiskey (with the possible exception of JWBL), and hopefully they'll enjoy it as well. Any information would be appreciated.

I already picked up amber in Gdansk. That was a good idea. Thank you. I've already gifted the only person in my family who plays chess a set of onyx/jade, so that's out.

I'll look into linen next and statuettes.
Linen - What's my best bet for the best quality in Krakow (price a non-issue for linen, although 25 zl is great)?
Statues - I'm looking for a bargain here, so antique shops are probably out. Hala Targowa? Stary Kelparz? Someplace a little further?

♂

Nov 11, 11, 12:17 #17

littlejagoda:

Linen - What's my best bet for the best quality in Krakow

Just google Linen in Kraków. There are lots of sites; some in English.

littlejagoda:

The hallucinogen stories are pure BS

Have you ever tried it? It's not hallucinogenic but it is different.

littlejagoda:

It's just alcohol, after all

Not only. It contains thujone, an extract of wormwood. The effects after drinking absinthe are similar to those induced by good quality cannabis but are shorter-lasting. I hear.

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Nov 11, 11, 14:42 #18

I've had it at a bar in Kazimierz. I really liked the mellow high it gave. It doesn't taste and smell like crap (like beer does) and doesn't burn like bourbon or whiskey (although I do like the smokiness). In the winter, of course, I'd go with Henessey XO or JW Black, but it's a great summer drink imo. The way I like it is with crushed ice in a glass, pour the absinthe over a sugar cube on a spoon, and then light the cube and allow the caramelized sugar to drip in through the spoon. Keep diluting it with ice water as you drink it....it lasts for me...I usually have one while my friends have had 3-4 beers.

The high is nothing like weed, except that it is quite mellow and you don't crash after (for me anyway). I want to clarify that I haven't had weed in Poland. Absinthe tastes like liquorice, so if you can't stand that it definitely isn't for you.

dhrynioThreads: 4 Posts: 52 Joined: Jun 8, 08 ♀	Nov 11, 11, 15:21 #19
Just curious but where are you headed? If it is stateside then don't bother bringing the keilbasa, they will take it at the airport.

JimmuThreads: 2 Posts: 152 Joined: Aug 26, 11 ♂	Edited by: Jimmu Nov 11, 11, 15:31 #20
teflcat: The effects after drinking absinthe are similar to those induced by good quality cannabis but are shorter-lasting. I hear. Which did you hear about and which came from personal experience? Hehehehe If you're going somewhere you can take agricultural products... What about the smoked cheeses they sell up in the mountains? I'm not sure how they taste, but they look great!

teflcatThreads: 6 Posts: 1,076 Joined: May 29, 11 ♂	Nov 11, 11, 15:54 #21
Jimmu: Which did you hear about and which came from personal experience? Hehehehe ;) Jimmu: What about the smoked cheeses they sell up in the mountains? I'm not sure how they taste, but they look great! Salty. SALTY. Great grilled. They'd probably make the airport dogs go bananas.

littlejagodaThreads: 4 Posts: 33 Joined: Oct 19, 11 ♀	Nov 11, 11, 16:21 #22
dhrynio: Just curious but where are you headed? If it is stateside then don't bother bringing the keilbasa, they will take it at the airport. Thanks. I'm headed to australia, and then the states.

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