Recently, we received an email from Marta, asking, “What goodies do you recommend bringing back from the states?” This is a question that’s on a lot of minds, especially as people are on vacation in their home countries, deciding what they, too, will bring back to China with them. Every person’s list will be different, so I’m going to give you my top ten list and ask others to add the favorites I’ve missed.
1. Maple Flavoring
This may seem like an odd one, but one of the things that I tend to miss a lot here is Western breakfast. One of the staples for Western breakfasts is maple syrup, a condiment that is highly over-priced in China. The problem is easily solved by making your own syrup with sugar, water, and a little of the aforementioned maple flavoring.
2. Jiffy Pie Crust Mix
Admittedly, this is definitely one of my splurges. I love making pies, but I hate making pie crust. These little boxes make my life so much easier, especially come Thanksgiving.
3. Sunblock
As a very pale foreigner, I am driven crazy by the lack of sunblock options in Beijing. The ones available are very expensive, so I made it a point to bring a lasting supply two years ago. I haven’t even used my second bottle yet.
4. Deodorant
Though this is becoming more available, it’s still not easy to find. Also, I have my brands that I prefer and it is definitely cheaper on the other side of the ocean.
5. Face Wash
Many people I know have started using Chinese brands for face wash, but I have stuck to my St. Ives and Purpose regimen. This one is definitely more of a comfort and preference thing.
6. NyQuil
Even our UK and Aussie friends ask for some of this if we have room; there’s nothing quite as good as NyQuil—generic or brand name—available anywhere else in the world.
7. Benadryl Gel
This is a new favorite for me since I react horribly to China mosquitoes. There are Chinese alternatives, but I just love this stuff and find it much more sensible than things like Tiger Balm.
8. Index Cards
These little gems are obviously not necessary for everyday life, but I find a sweet comfort in having cards around any time I need to write a list, a note, or organize my thoughts in a tangible way. They are also wonderfully cheap in the States.
9. Sharpies and Papermate Flairs
Nothing is quite as satisfying as writing with your favorite pens. Permanent markers are available here, but not Sharpies. Pens are available here (obviously), but not my felt-tip Flair pens. Though I use regular, Chinese-brand writing utensils most of the time, I value being able to grab a favorite, American-brand pen once in a while, just for kicks.
10. Clothing
For expats who are a bit bigger than the average Chinese citizen (which, let’s face it, is most of us), it can be much more difficult to find certain clothing items. Jeans, shoes, and underwear are all things that I tend to shop for in the States, sometimes simply to avoid having to ask for a larger size at every single merchant at a market.
Which of your favorites did I miss? Are any of my items things you happily get here?
Related posts:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I always need maple flavoring and my favorite is Mapleine! I also bring chocolate chips, we can get them here, but they have become so expensive. If you have any crafty hobbies, some of your special supplies are good to bring. I have brought in ModPodge, nice yarn, even cotton fabric.
Sometimes I find it difficult to buy Christmas or Easter items here in Beijing. If you like Christmas puddings, yule logs, etc, you may want to bring those, too.
If you have room in the suitcase after everything you mentioned!
Great list for anyone coming to Beijing. I’m sure a lot of people will find this helpful.
Tampons!!!
girls’ shaving cream
Biosilk/heat shield for a straightening iron
Hair products for blondes/leave-in spray conditioner
dryer sheets
Ranch dressing packets
facial soap/lotion/foundation (w/o skin whitening cream in it)
shoes over 8/bra over B cup
really good baby wipes or Lil’ Swimmers
thick socks…for the whole family
good shoes…like running shoes or winter boots
good sippy cups
boy’s action figures/toys that don’t break within a week
books/magazines in English
a real Frisbee/American football/baseball, bat, and glove
Christmas decorations/ornaments/Easter eggs and dye/baskets, Turkey platter, valentine cards, Jack-o-lantern/costumes ( though Halloween is growing in popularity here and more is available now)
US flag and maps in English, US coins
Christian books/Bibles/CDs, hymnal, etc.
hairspray
Velveeta and Rotel (other “dip” packets)
Off spray
Birthday party supplies—plates, cups, napkins (themed), dye and flavoring to make your own cake
American style little boy underoos (else it’s girly style Ultraman “panties”)
Q-tips (I’m kinda picky—I like the real ones!)
Bath towels that match
DO NOT bring anything that plugs in and requires 110v. I’ve had too many friends fry their hair straighteners and kitchen mixers with false hopes that a converter will work!
Jenni, love the list! Although I will clarify that there ARE tampons available in Beijing, even at Chinese grocery stores. They are the o.b. variation, so if that’s not your brand, you’ll want to bring them from home. Also worth noting: the Chinese o.b. ones are significantly cheaper than in the States.
My list to bring from Australia has really decreased as more things have becoming available in China in the past 7 years. I am picky about hair-care so I brought all my shampoo/conditioner and other hair product over, but I can get my fav brand imported here – more expensive than home but cheap enough to be worth it. Tampons, baking powder, good vitamins, greeting cards, post-it notes and various stationary items aren’t as difficult to track down now – it’s just a matter of whether I want my “comfort” brands. I prefer buying shoes here because my feet are narrow and fairly small so Chinese shoes tend to fit better – I can buy at good stores and get quality shoes for an Australian price (or less).
Here’s my list:
- my fav facial products from The Body Shop
- pasta snacks (the just-add-milk/butter packets)
- choc chips
- stock cubes
- bras (essential), underwear (preferred)
- stockings: there is nothing close to my 5’9 size here!
- English books
- Christian books/CDs
I was given a piece of advice when I first moved here about what to bring that didn’t make sense to me until after I moved – bring the things you prefer. Bring some pens, toiletries, and other small life things that you like – it makes the transition easier when you have familiar things. Shopping for things like shampoo and pens when you are newly arrived is actually pretty horrid – so many choices, in a different language, and all unfamiliar, just adds to the chaos of an international move.
Also, just to add, after my first year I SO missed a 3-hole punch and 3 ring binders that I used luggage space and weight the next year to bring them back. Well…once the 3 hole notebook paper ran out I decided I could just use them with Chinese copy paper from the printer. One problem–Chinese paper is longer than American 3-ring binders…so all my pages stick out of the top. Eventually, I just got used to using Chinese binders (though I still don’t understand why only 2 holes!), and Chinese paper, and post-its, and index cards. I guess looking back, though, I don’t regret the Lisa Frank binders, b/c Tanya was right, so things are nice just for the familiar that after a few years, you get used to not having and you learn to shop for your need, and not the brand.