Thinking outside the box….Gifts they need | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

	I am always looking for different and needed things to bring the good people of Cuba when I go. Besides the normal shampoo and soaps, what have you found they really appreciate and need? Laptop computer.

I actually did give a laptop computer to someone via a friend! Someone at work was getting rid of a superswanky but older laptop (sidebar: I work where people have grants to upgrade their computers and occasionally one may come my way). My friend in Canada reformatted it and when she was in the Oriente she gave it to the child of someone we know, who has had some tragedy in her life (one child passed away). This little child is also sickly and said that to have a laptop would be a dream. There are laptops for "frens" and laptops for suckers, but this went to an eager student. Another time a laptop went to a good friend of mine (I know his house, his family, we stay in touch, etc). They were able to find his mother’s sibling in the States and so a family was reunited. They had not been able to contact one another since 1959.So, sometimes a lap top is a pretty good gift.

USB memory keys are very popular lately as many TVs and DVD players can play media from USB memory keys. So now would you go and give to random people USB memory key? I don’t think so. To me happened that couple of times I made friendship with entertainment guys. One of them asked me to give him my T-shirt as t-shirts in Cuba go bad fast (salt in the air) so yes I gave him my T-shirt. 3 months after I returned to the same resort and I saw entertainment guy wearing the shirt I gave him. I was kinda happy to see that he appreciated it and that he did not collect shirts to sell to other Cubans who are not working in the resorts. Personally I always look first at myself and say if I work in the hotel in Canada and someone give me gift would I say no. I think all people like to receive gifts and getting it from stranger can be sometimes big surprise. What about we go to dollar store here in Canada, buy a few things and give gifts to random people on the street. Would people accept it and be happy or they would say I dont want it?

I do have access to a source of used memory keys and I take them down as tips for good service. They are really appreciated. Mostly I have 1 or 2 GB, and I save the 8-16 GBs for people I know. (Been going to the same city for nearly ten years so I have a few regular people.) I always make sure the keys are blank.

Currently in Mexico and going to pick up some ibuprofen, etc since the instructions WILL be in Spanish.

Usually 1 or 2 Gigs people in Cuba appreciate. Now in Canada we can buy these very cheap.

	I have taken two used laptops and many thumb drives loaded with children’s music (in Spanish) and English lessons. The computers were given to long time friends who have used them in their jobs.

I’ve never been asked for anything on a trip to Cuba, but have left the usual stuff… clothes, insulated mugs… you know, the stuff everyone tells you they want. Stopped doing that a number trips ago. Last trip I hit it off with one of the musicians on a resort and had a few laughs during the time we were there. Before I left I asked if I could get his address to send him some "guitar strings, picks"… you know, the stuff everyone tells you to get them. He replied with "that would be great (with a forced smile), but I could really use a backpack."

	A backpack is always a "carry on" for me and is always left behind. I have small nylon fold-up bag that I bought on air transat a few years ago and it carries my carry on items home. But I still carry guitar strings.

I stopped gifting a few years ago when a gardener at a resort, which will remain nameless, asked me for any leftover toiletries I might have. However, I am returning to the Melia CSM in November and my favorite bartender and his wife both work there. I will definitely bring their 5 year-old daughter an outfit and a toy and some dollar store pantyhose for the mrs. as she is a waitress at the Ranchon. The rest of my tips will be pesos.

One time I found an IKEA mosquito net and took it down on a trip with my sister. I had heard you could bargain at the market with goodies. I don’t like bargaining since usually the prices are so cheap (compared to shopping in Mexico, for example), but one of the vendors asked what was in my bag. I pulled out the net. Her eyes widened, and she said, "My daughter is having a baby in a few weeks, and I prayed to La Virgen for a mosquito net!" "And here I am!" I said.

You never know what might be valuable.

	A mosquito net was one of the many baby gifts I recently brought down for a new mother. She was very happy with it! A mosquito net is great gift. I am sure that many in Cuba will be able to use it. Once we gave our family mosquito net for windows. It was not easy to install it on windows in Cuba as those windows are not the same as windows in Canada.

We’ve been hit up on the streets for our sons backpack, twice in one trip…Not happening Mr Stranger. I believe backpacks are a good give if your kids are getting a new one and their old one is still in very good shape…
Now at our regular resort, a few fun foods for our favourites, Heinz Ketchup, Cheese Whiz & Nutella is what we take… Just like when we go to Toronto, brothers pepperoni and a good donair is always appreciated.

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