What traditional souvenirs and gifts to buy in Moscow and Russia

What souvenirs to buy in Moscow and Russia?

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When you live and work in another country for many years or travel like a tourist it is always good to bring something with you, some souvenirs to present them to your family, friends, colleagues at work and to save something as a memory about Russia and your personal experience in our country.

Being native Russians we have selected for you most popular, traditional and good Russian souvenirs and gifts that you can acquire and take to your home.

Matryoshka doll

May be the most famous Russian souvenir.

Truly symbol of national handcraft. It is a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size which are placed one inside another. "Matryoshka" is a diminutive form from old Slavic Russian name "Matryona". Matryoshkas appeared in Russia at the end of the 19th century. Traditional print of Matryoshka dolls is a woman, dressed in Russian national dress. As we have mentioned, Matryoshka is a set of several dolls and all of them follow the same theme. Themes may be very different from classical peasant women up to fairy tales motives and popular modern themes like the Russian Government, New Year and Christmas motives, Russian cities motives or some funny themes etc. 

Wooden Lacquered Boxes

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One more popular Russian souvenir – lacquer wooden Box with different traditional prints. In most cases such box is not big and prints reflect traditional Russian paintings like Russian winter, hunting, Russian folklore series.

Russian textile – Russian textile is famous across Russia and in other countries. We have special regions in our country which produces traditional handmade textile like the Ivanovo Region. Bedclothes, table clothes, laced napkins, shawls etc. It is good to acquire such items with traditional Russian ornaments which are always available.

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Traditional Russian Wear

Valenki is traditional Russian winter footwear generally made of wool felt. You can read about them in this article (click here). It is a good present a good footwear for you if in your country you have cold winter seasons too. With Valenki it is also good to acquire some other items like pulovers, t-shirts and traditional dresses made from good natural materials with interesting national ornaments and prints.

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Venik

Popular Russian broom for your household. We also have a special post dedicated to veniks so you can get more info. To learn more click here.

Khokhloma prints

Khokhloma  is Russian handcraft  wood painting with symbolic traditional national flowers ornament, with typical red, yellow and gold colors on a black background.

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First Khokhloma ornaments appeared in 16-17th centuries. It is believed that Khokhloma takes place from Nizhny Novgorod Region and one of the trade villages which was loc

ated at that area. Khokhloma is famous for its original technique to make gold colors without using any original gold ingredients and liquid mixes.

Today Khokhloma designed objects are among most famous Russian souvenirs and many foreigners acquire them as a good memory about Russia, its life style and traditions. Spoons, cups, elements of furniture, today you can find this famous Russian ornament everywhere and it is truly one of the main informal art symbols of our country.

Gzhel Ceramics

Gzhel is traditional Russian ceramics and painting pattern as well with distinctive blue ornaments. It takes its origin from the Gzhel bush area, which unites over 25 small villages not far from Moscow. First Gzhel ceramics were mentioned in 18th century. In 19 Century dozens of factories started to produce pottery - different toys, pots, dishes, and other ceramic goods with typical blue paintings which soon became popular and famous across the country. Today Gzhel ceramics is famous all over the world as a symbol of Russia and its tradition handcrafts. It is good to buy Gzhel for souvenirs or gifts.

It is also interesting to know that in the middle of the 19th century Russian potters invented special technology to produce ceramics and porcelain as good as it was in England, China and in other popular countries, leaders of ceramic and porcelain production.

To find out more useful and interesting items which are "must have" click here and visit our Extensive Information Guide to Moscow and Russia  |Rus-a|.