The Diplomatic Notes: Edition n.01

"Khadi (traditional handwoven) scarves, notebooks made out of elephant poop and bangles--lots and lots of bangles. Oh, and boutique Indian-style baby clothes. Because there's nothing cuter than embroidered elephants on soft cotton for the little ones." 

Dani, New Delhi, India, HotPotDC

"Handwoven silk wall hangings with hand-carved wooden hangars. They are just so beautiful and intricate." 

Dee, Vientiane, Laos, DWharlow  

"it will be food gifts this year: powder from the hottest chiles in the world, mustard oil, traditional sweets, dosa and vada mixes, and saffron honey."

Stephanie, Hyderabad, India, Where in the World is Stephanie  

"Dead Sea soap and Jordanian silver. (But now I want some mustard oil, Stephanie!)."

 Donna, Amman, Jordan, Email from the Embassy 

"I did knit several things here to send home this year. Does that count? That and finds from Vienna's pretty awesome thrift stores"

Kelly, Vienna, Austria, Well that was Different 

"Matroshka dolls, honey and chocolate (somehow nobody knows how amazing chocolate and honey are in Russia!)"

Lynne, St.Petersburg, Russia, Like Nomads 

"Ethiopian gabis (blanket/shawls) and hand woven baskets. Lots and lots of Ethiopian coffee beans!"

Sara, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Our Yuppie Life 

"The handicrafts and locally produced items in Korea are so expensive that we couldn't find many gifts to send home...but we did send some Korean snacks and teas though!  

Lauren, Seoul, Korea, Adventures In ... 

"Buffalo horn jewelry, handmade lanterns & silk scarves/ties."  

Nicole, Ha Noi, Vietnam, Delicious Diplomacy 

"A keffiyeh scarf or a Hand of Fatima necklace."

Michele, Amman, Jordan, GlobeHoppers 

"Pearls for the ladies. The guys aren't actually getting anything from the Philippines!"

Sara, Manila, Philippines, WifeMommyWoman 

"Ceramics, Perugina cocoa, artisinal pasta, and Thun holiday ornaments."

Zoe, Milan,  Something Edited

"Hand crafted silver kitchen pieces (spoon rest, trivets, bowls) and tile-framed mirrors. All incredibly priced!" 

Narra, Guadalajara, Mexico, FiveGs

"Hand knit mittens (only thing warm enough for an Estonian winter!), wooden tableware, and hand painted pottery."

Rachel, Tallinn, Estonia, Multitasking

"Mexican vanilla, blow up luchador punching bags, and piñatas."

Sarah, Nogales, Mexico, By the Where 

"Thai silk and teak woodcarvings of warriors on elephants and traditional Thai dancers." 

Heather, Bangkok,Thailand, Field of Heather  

"Icelandic eye cream or fish-skin purses."

Erica, Reykjavik, Iceland, Erica J Green 

"Matryoshka's!"

Amy, Moscow, Russia, The Crafty Foreign Service

"Pearl necklaces and earrings.  And dried mango. Both are light and easy to mail!" 

Caroline,  Manila , Philippines,  Wright Outta Nowhere

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Let's close out the year with one more new series - I introduce for you The Diplomatic Notes, which I hope will be a monthly series of answers to curious questions from other diplomat bloggers about living in the many different corners of the world.  First up, the holiday season and all the gifts it brings! With so many global stores available in so many locations, it's easy to forget that there are still really unique things out there that are special to the many places we live. 

From readers, I'd love to hear what are the things you've been giving this season that are unique to your hometown or country!