If you are new to the scene of dating with Eastern European women (Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian), you may not know yet that gifts are an essential ingredient of romantic relationships with ladies from the countries of the former USSR.
Especially in the early stages of dating, any lady loves to get a small “token of attention” from the man she is considering to give her heart to. And yes, it is important for a lady that a guy offers her a considerate and desirable gift without being prompted (i.e. without questions or hints). If you do that, your chances with her increase tenfold!
Keep reading to find out about the specifics of the custom to give presents when dating and what are the best gifts to send to a woman you like.
Types of gifts in relationships with Eastern European women
It is considered romantic and respectful when a man gifts the lady of his dreams a small present.
By sending a gift to a lady you are dating online, no matter how inexpensive, you quickly separate yourself from all other men competing for her attention!
One particular gift has a special place: Flowers from the man in her life.
This gift can solve practically any issue if you had a disagreement or falling out.
Flowers are also expected on the first date, even if you are meeting at the airport after a long correspondence.
How do you do it? Chocolate flowers are an option, since bringing a bunch of fresh blossoms from another country may be too complicated. There are also flowers made of glass or metal, which could be just a single rose.
But we diverged!
If you would like to see her smile, give her a bunch of flowers. Women from Eastern Europe love flowers. You might have noticed it by the amount of pictures with bunches of bright blossoms you see in photos of Eastern European women.
Flowers in Eastern Europe are just a womanly type of present, which is appropriate for any lady: young, old, married, single, etc. No need to think about a type of gift for her birthday, anniversary, or just any day when you feel like cheering her up and showing your love for her. Remember it for the future!
For Christmas, however, flowers are not the type of present women expect.
They would rather prefer something more lasting: jewellery, leather gloves, etc.
Flowers, food, and other items may be too hard to post internationally, not to say expensive.
The simplest Christmas present
Since you are in different countries and away from each other, jewellery could be the easiest gift to send as a Christmas present to a lady from Eastern Europe.
- A lovely gold or silver necklace with a pendant would make her happy and at the same time remain a token of your interest she can wear and remember.
- Gold or silver studs or earrings would do the same job.
You can get some items really cheap on websites like Aliexpress.com. You are able to pay for your gift there and they will post it to the address you indicate. Postage on that site is much cheaper than what you would pay by sending a gift from the USA, Canada, or Australia.
It could cost you just $10-15 to buy and send a gift to her country, so why not? It’s about the same as buying a postcard and sending it by mail. Something lovely and stylish is better than a piece of colourful paper (and you can send a message with greetings electronically on the day).
- You can order “custom” necklace with her name, for instance, or any other word or phrase or date you’d like to share with her.
- There are also thousands of other gift ideas you may explore. If there is something in your local shop, there is something like this but cheaper available online.
When buying in an online store that delivers to Russia (Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.), you don’t need to pack the gift, just choose and pay! The store will do the rest.
How to choose a Christmas gift to your lady
On Aliexpress, you are able to see the number of orders of a particular item, as well as read the feedback from buyers. If you see feedbacks from Russia or Ukraine (the country where you plan to send the gift), then you know buyers from these countries like the item.
TIP: If you choose to purchase from the most popular online shop among Eastern European women, choose the type of postage that has tracking and is under the time period you want the gift to be delivered within.
The stores usually offer free delivery, but it may take a long and unpredictable period of time.
You can also buy something in your local store and send a necklace hidden in a thick postcard, for example, and only pay for a regular letter, taking a gamble it would arrive: Most of the time it does.
Alternatively, you can pick the item yourself and send it properly paying for the parcel: Different options of delivery from various locations cost differently. Find out from your local post office what the costs would be.
How much should you pay for the gift?
When choosing a gift, remember there are limits after which she would have to pay tax on the item.
In 2019 the limits are as following:
- Belarus: Under 22 Euro
- Ukraine: Under 100 Euro
- Russia: 500 Euro
- Kazakhstan: 500 Euro
The best advice would be to limit the cost of the item by 100 Euro (or 100 USD), so that there is no need for the recipient to pay tax.
If you are sure the parcel will arrive before 1 January 2020, then you can send something more expensive, but remember that from that date limits change.
In Kazakhstan, for instance, from 1 January 2020 only the items that cost less than 200 Euro would not attract tax.
If your lady is a frequent online shopper and orders buys lots of things in popular foreign shops like Aliexpress, she may have to pay tax even if the price of the item is within these limits, because there is also a limit on the amount of parcels a person can receive per month free of charge.
So, in any case, pick something that is cute, lovely, but inexpensive.
Something related to Christmas can also work! A type of Christmas decoration or ornament that is special would be appropriate, although she would probably prefer a gift for herself.
Money as a gift
Money is the best type of present you can send to an Eastern European lady, so that she can buy whatever she really wants and needs.
Many women have PayPal accounts or able to get money via other online funds transfer systems (Yandex Money, Qiwi.com, etc.).
It is also possible to send a debit card that she can use in her home country.
If all fails, there is always Western Union, where money transfers are made available instantly.
Is money an acceptable gift to send to a woman? Yes, if you have been talking for a while and she is a special friend, not just one of many acquaintances.
You can also send a small but special gift via online shopping sites and at the same time send money, so that she is able to get something she really wants or needs.
Ready, steady, go!
You still have time to choose a gift and send it — but don’t delay!
And remember that Russian Orthodox Christmas is 7 January, not 25 December. In Ukraine and Belarus both dates are public holidays. But people in the countries of the former USSR traditionally give presents to each other on the New Year’s Eve — the night from 31 December to 1 January. Remember about it when planning to send your gift!
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Thank you, Elena, for your excellent advice and wonderful suggestions. And what about her children? I’ve found just the right thing for her 7-year old son, but I’m at a loss as to what to send her 10-year old daughter. What would interest a young Russian girl in the provinces? Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Nanker, any small gift like a necklace with her name will be welcome by a 10-year-old as well 🙂