You gave me great ideas - now help me choose!

[theworm[$]]

In another thread I asked for help with ideas on what to bring as gifts for the ladies in our Thailand office. I want something nice, but not too big since I'll need to carry about 20 of them with me overseas.

You all gave me some great ideas - now if you don't mind, please help me choose what to actually buy. These gifts are for the women in our Thai office. Most are young.

With your help, here's what I narrowed it down to:

1) From the Oriental Trading Company - denim notebooks - $1.25/ea



2) from Yves Roche - Star Case Bath Salts - $2.95 each



3) from Sephora - Potpourri Box - $2.00 each (only pink is still available)




4) Also from Sephora - Fragrance - $3.00 each (18 flavors)



5) from Drugstore.com - Primal Elements Soap $2.20 each




6) from Avon - heart hand cream - $0.99 each



7) from Avon - Naturals Bath Gell - $2.99 each (10 scents)



8) from Avon - Glazewear Liquid Lip Color - $2.99 each

[owling]

I voted notebooks. You never know when someone is going to be allergic to something in a cosmetic preparation/bath item. And fragrances can be hell on people with asthma or allergies (even while it's still packaged, if the asthma/allergies are severe enough). But almost anyone can find a use for a notebook.

[jnbmoore]

I didn't go for the notepad's because if it's from OTC it's probably made in China or Taiwan. Kinda silly to take a gift back halfway around the world :-)

At least in Taiwan, Showers were much more popular than baths...

[CurtisEdmonds]

If anyone gave me soap for a present, I'd be worried that they thought I smelled bad.

Not that I do.

[theworm[$]]

Originally posted by CurtisEdmonds
If anyone gave me soap for a present, I'd be worried that they thought I smelled bad.

Not that I do.

I don't know, Curtis. Women are different about these things, but maybe, if a woman gave you soap it meant she wants to take a bath WITH you!

[murasaki]

I voted for the Avon heart soap. Soap is a very appropriate gift for women; frankly, I hardly buy bath products of any kind for myself since I frequently get them as gifts. I think the soap is novel enough in the heart shape and very sweet which the ladies will like (in addition to the cost and weight/size factors).

--naomi

[jenninca]

I also voted for the soap, largely for the novelty factor. I've got to agree with the allergies thing, particularly since you don't really know what kind of scents they do/don't have over there. Soap is usually less-scented. I personally wouldn't go with the OTC stuff because every time I've ordered from them, I've been somewhat disappointed in the quality. Their stuff is fine for my prize box for kids, but I don't know that I'd give it as a gift to anyone who could judge quality. Just my two cents.

Cindy

[theworm[$]]

When I made the poll, I was sort of leaning towards the soap too. I think they are cute and small enough to carry. My husband thinks that I shouldn't give anything Valentine's day-ish, and others seem to think that fragrance is not a great idea.
I'll wait for a few more poll results - now it looks like a tie.
The lipstick would be easiest to carry - but I wouldn't know what shades to choose. This wasn't supposed to be difficult!
Thanks for all the input so far!

[owling]

Originally posted by theworm
This wasn't supposed to be difficult!

Gifts are always difficult.

[theworm[$]]

Thanks for the help!
I ended up buying the soaps from Drugstore.com. Also got some Biore scrub that I can't find in the stores. Got free shipping, a $5 discount, and a free candle. Not a bad deal, and with all that soap in my suitcase, my clothes should smell nice when I get to Bangkok (which is more than I can say about myself after 35 hours in planes and airports )

[theworm[$]]

The soaps just arrived, and they are very cute! They are nicely wrapped, and are small enough that they will be easy to pack.
I'm a very happy worm! Thank you all for your help!