A. and I are leaving for our all-inclusive vacation on December 26 to Cuba. We have been researching gifts that we can bring with us for Cubans. I’m not big on giving money. I’ve read that it encourages begging and I’d rather keep my coins for tipping at the bar.
After doing some research, I’ve decided that instead of tipping our maid money, that we would tip her with ‘things’. I have created 7 Ziploc bags full of goodies for our maid. Some things that we have packed are:
A nightie (size large)
6 pairs of socks – give one pair per day
tampons (travel size) – give one or two packs per day
1 hot wheels car
1 box of Dora band-aids – giving 2 – 3 band aids per day
Nair squeeze bottle
Intuition razor
a few toiletries
hot water bottle
and a few more things I can’t remember..
We also plan to bring a new tube of toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner that we plan to leave behind. I’m not to sure how the nightie will go over. I hope that it’s appreciated. Many people I speak to about this say that they would be just as excited to get a bouncy ball. I just can’t bring myself to give just a bouncy ball, I’m afraid that they would throw it back in my face. I want to bring stuff that they don’t normally get. Something that will make her say wow.
What do you think?
that is perfect. we also brought hair clips, hair brushes, tic tacs, pens and toliet paper.
By: laura on December 18, 2008
at 6:51 am
Hmm. Good stuff! It’s good of you to think about these things before you go… tho’ I have to be honest and admit that I’m not so sure about the Nair.
A quick google revealed a ton of good info re: what to bring. (I like the idea of just leaving behind your bottle of shampoo and conditioner/shaving cream/whatever when you leave.)
>>”First aid supplies in original packaging in infant formulations and those that are dosaged for both adults and children. ie. chewable/tablet acetaminophen, vitamins, cough and cold tablets, Polysporin, Band-Aids, hydrogen peroxide, vitamins, Cortate cream, Oragel, toothpaste, feminine products, Pepto Bismol tablets, disposable razors, shave cream, shampoo, diapers, stain remover, laundry detergent. Also, if you have gently used or new children’s clothing, shoes, hats, and towels.
And as many of us know, it can be chilly in the winter, even in Cuba… sweaters, sweatshirts, blankets, socks and such are great too and not easily accessible to many. Gum, candy, pencils, crayons, inflatable waterbeds and rings, frisbees, toys – dollar store items go over very well. Sports equip (baseball gloves, balls). Catering to the needs of children always seems to please their parents. For adults, razor blades, sanitary products, body lotions, shower gel, and laundry detergent , etc. – consider leaving behind anything you don’t finish using and first aid items.”
By: andrea from the fishbowl on December 18, 2008
at 7:51 am
When we wait, years ago, we left tooth brushes, colouring books and crayons. And some US currency, but now that US currency is illegal there it makes things more complex.
By: Chantal on December 18, 2008
at 9:03 am
Tampons? Really?
By: Redd on December 18, 2008
at 9:03 am
Yup. Apprently it’s really hard to get down there (and expensive). I was given a bag full of these travel packs awhile ago. I might as well bring a bunch with me.
By: aandjblog on December 18, 2008
at 9:10 am
that’s so nice! I never would have thought of those things.
By: Liz on December 18, 2008
at 10:19 am
I’ve left nice chocolates before….
By: Hella Stella on December 18, 2008
at 11:11 am
A friend of mine just got back from Cuba, she said she’d have brought more spending money FYI. She was there on business and once you leave your hotel most places were cash only, and banks weren’t open when you needed them to be and prices can be steep.
Apparently it’s all to do with convertible currency vs. non convertible currency. (I wonder if it might not be better to leave the convertible cash?)
By: Nat on December 18, 2008
at 11:28 am
When I was very, very poor, I appreciated money being given to me. That way I had the luxury and freedom to buy the things I needed rather then the things someone felt I might need… just a thought…
By: Woodsy on December 18, 2008
at 2:55 pm
What Woodsy said. Honestly, it’s demeaning when someone else – especially someone whose reality is completely different from your own – decides what they think you should have. Money is always appreciated as a tip. You can’t go wrong with money.
By: zoom on December 18, 2008
at 3:46 pm
Well I hope that she won’t find this ‘demeaning’ and will appriciate it. I would never want to demean anyone! I’m just trying to do something nice. I’ve looked an a variety of websites and they have all recommended these things. I’ll up date you on how she takes it.
By: aandjblog on December 19, 2008
at 2:39 am
Given the circumstances in Cuba I don’t think they would have access to the majority of the items listed above. This is especially true for children (see: package of Hot Wheels, nifty band-aids, etc..) I’m confident that they [children]would much rather have something to play with rather than money.
Another thing to take into consideration is that as tourists we will only have access to Convertible Peso’s, this is not the currency used by native Cuban’s. Alternatively American dollars could be used, but can only be traded via black market – Probably not a situation you want to put somebody in.
All this being said consumer goods are not as easily aquired in Cuba (have you ever seen the shelves in a Cuban store? – yikes), it’s our gift to them to try and bring a handful of luxuries to distribute. If they find it demeaning, insulting, etc.. They don’t have to accept them. I’d be more than happy to saunter the beach in size large nighty.
By: A on December 19, 2008
at 3:02 am
Actually, if you’re a Cuban in Cuba, you have to go to the black market to get US dollars. If you already have them, you don’t have to go to the black market.
Not that the black market is so scary. It’s probably one of your aunts.
By: Fourth Dwarf on December 19, 2008
at 4:31 am
a&j, I think that it is sweet that you are giving the maid something. I worked as a week-end maid in a resort for a year and never got a penny or a gift from the guests. I was simply giving you my suggestion as to my preference as you requested of me as one of your readers. So, money is still my suggestion – I think that if you are going to tip the bar-tender with money, why not also tip the maid with money… and YES bring Hot Wheels… I still love those little cars!
By: woodsy on December 19, 2008
at 6:13 am
you guys are very kind to be thinking ahead and doing all this planning ahead of time. have fun
By: meanie on December 20, 2008
at 4:07 am
Zoom – Bringing gifts for the maids is far from demeaning, it is much more thoughtful than money would ever be. Although i agree tipping is fine too but the point is that Cubans do not have access to the majority of little things we have here and often are very expensive. Which means that they cannot buy certain things that they need or that they would like, and that we can easily give (ie bandaids, toiletries etc). These gifts are always greatly appreciated by Cubans just as much if not more than money.
By: alex on February 9, 2009
at 7:06 am