Balikbayan boxes

[LizLovesFlor 11]

This is for Filipinos everywhere. What should I send in a Balikbayan box? What do Filipinos in the Philippines like? Anything specific?? Thanks!

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Spam, Vienna Sausages, Corned Beef, Chocolates

[Tahoma 2,291]

What should I send in a Balikbayan box? What do Filipinos in the Philippines like? Anything specific??

Crisp Benjamins.

[LizLovesFlor 11]

Crisp Benjamins.

Lol that's what my husband says.

[LizLovesFlor 11]

Spam, Vienna Sausages, Corned Beef, Chocolates

How do u ship chocolates? Wouldn't they melt

[Caryh 5,206]

How do u ship chocolates? Wouldn't they melt

Does melted chocolate taste any different than chocolate that has not been melted? As long as it doesn't get squished, they can get it out of the heat and it will turn solid again. Just make sure its in a sealed package.

Another thing to add, anything that has a place name in the USA on it. T-shirts, baseball caps etc...

MIL loved the frying pan and utensils we sent her.

Stuffed animals tend to be a huge favorite with the kids to.

You didn't say who's the receiver of the box.

Actually you can put pretty much anything in it and they'll love it. Just don't send them things that require American power. Sent my wife a desktop computer one time and I forgot to change the switch to 240V. "Pop" there went the power supply, but she easily got that replaced at least. Of course laptops and tablets are all the rage now. Even my first grade niece keeps asking for a tablet.

[Calypso 464]

When I send a box to my family in the Philippines, I usually put popular items such as:

- giant bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body soap and lotion

- dry pasta

- footwear

- clothes

- lollipops and chocolates

If there are kids then remember to add plush toys, or something like that.

This is a cliched line but most Filipinos believe that "it's the thought that counts" so they look forward to opening something no matter how little or common you pack for them. That's one thing I like about most Pinoys.

[CristiFur 15]

Depending who is receiving it, knowing now that many items that are here in the US are available back home, there nothing a handfull of new Benjamins can't buy. But if you must well for us it's usually beauty supply for the women, coffee and for the men clothes or tools (Flashlights, hammers, Pliers, screw drivers etc..) cause at our place they always get brown out and do alot of DIY home improvements or bike/trike/car repairs. So I guess it depend on needs of the recipient. You would not want to send mittens and leather jackets if they have no use for it right?

[Tintin and Mike 127]

How do u ship chocolates? Wouldn't they melt

Get them free boxes from USPS and send them M&Ms peanuts or those bite size ones

[ppihtr123 68]

and to top off the extra room in the box....Copy paper, soaps, lotions, perfumes, etc. Watch out for the small appliances that require a transformer as many only take 110 power. try to avoid stuff that is "made in China".

[LizLovesFlor 11]

and to top off the extra room in the box....Copy paper, soaps, lotions, perfumes, etc. Watch out for the small appliances that require a transformer as many only take 110 power. try to avoid stuff that is "made in China".

What abt liquor ?

[Bayareaguy 156]

What abt liquor ?

My last box had a bottle of Jim Beam. Just pack it well.

Edited March 31, 2013 by Bayareaguy

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Hi Liz!

You've probably already sent your box, but here are a few other ideas:

- Pictures of you and your family

- Reese's pieces and buttercups are popular

- For the kids, a huge set of colored markers for coloring and crafts

- For younger kids, finger painting sets

- Fluffy towels and face towels. Regular towels in the Philippines aren't as soft as ones you can get here.

- Huge beach towels

- For the guys, baseball hats with US places names or us sports teams on them

- A digital camera

- Kids like little stuffed animals like beanie babies

- Kitchen gadgets that folks don't use much in the Philippines but end up loving, like a really good garlic press. Makes cooking garlic rice or sinangag so much easier.

- A food processor would be great for a huge, food and fiesta loving family too!

- Some top quality cooking utensils.

- An ice cream maker for those hot and humid summer days

- For big families, an automatic ice shaver is great for making halo halo for everyone all year round

- T-shirts with the place name of the city or town you live in

Hope this helps