Gifts for locals

My airline ticket includes a carry-on and a checked bag. I only need one bag for my two week stay. I was thinking of filling the extra bag for gifts. . . and I will be budgeting for cash tips as well, 2 dollar bills were suggested. I have read discussions mentioning giving gifts such as cosmetics, Christmas lights (???) and pens. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

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Originally Posted by AJ1111

My airline ticket includes a carry-on and a checked bag. I only need one bag for my two week stay. I was thinking of filling the extra bag for gifts. . . and I will be budgeting for cash tips as well, 2 dollar bills were suggested. I have read discussions mentioning giving gifts such as cosmetics, Christmas lights (???) and pens. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

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Any bill other than a two dollar bill would be a better gift as Jamaican banks refuse them. They just become another piece of paper lying around. Most every collector who wants one already has them. Christmas lights are very inexpensive here and pens, no matter how many you have always disappear. Name brand cosmetics and perfumes are always appreciated, but right now with people just getting back to a somewhat normal lifestyle after Covid, cash is king. Not sure you need an extra bag for that though....

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Originally Posted by Rob

Any bill other than a two dollar bill would be a better gift as Jamaican banks refuse them. They just become another piece of paper lying around. Most every collector who wants one already has them. Christmas lights are very inexpensive here and pens, no matter how many you have always disappear. Name brand cosmetics and perfumes are always appreciated, but right now with people just getting back to a somewhat normal lifestyle after Covid, cash is king. Not sure you need an extra bag for that though....

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Thanks for the heads up on $2 bills. I think Jamaican current will work best. School supplies such as spiral notebooks were suggested as well.

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Originally Posted by AJ1111

My airline ticket includes a carry-on and a checked bag. I only need one bag for my two week stay. I was thinking of filling the extra bag for gifts. . . and I will be budgeting for cash tips as well, 2 dollar bills were suggested. I have read discussions mentioning giving gifts such as cosmetics, Christmas lights (???) and pens. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

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Any chance you will ne at nor near Coco La Palm? I have a small package for someone there. Like small padded envelope size. DHL quoted me $105US. If I can't get it mule'd down it will have to wait until I can take it myself in 2024.

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Originally Posted by Kold Ass Mofo

Any chance you will ne at nor near Coco La Palm? I have a small package for someone there. Like small padded envelope size. DHL quoted me $105US. If I can't get it mule'd down it will have to wait until I can take it myself in 2024.

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KAM,

Be sure to allow AJ to open it first. Not that I don't trust you, but AJ will need to know what is in it if asked. And if AJ doesn't know, Custom and Immigration will ask AJ to go to that room at the airport that you don't want to go in...

Darn it. I guess I threw away $100 USD in 2 dollar bills in Jan. Everyone in Negril I gave them to thanked me, so I'll go with 'it's the thought that counts'.

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Originally Posted by AJ1111

Thanks for the heads up on $2 bills. I think Jamaican current will work best. School supplies such as spiral notebooks were suggested as well.

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Most schools have rigid requirements on school supplies, and spiral bound notebooks are not on the majority of acceptable supplies. The black and white hard cover glue binder notebooks are required in most schools.

I am not sure where you are getting this misinformation, but spiral binders will end up being used by a small business for accounting sales purposes at best.

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Originally Posted by Odinson

Darn it. I guess I threw away $100 USD in 2 dollar bills in Jan. Everyone in Negril I gave them to thanked me, so I'll go with 'it's the thought that counts'.

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They might have a relative who collects them. I am talking to a friend that whenever they get one, they give it to their cousin.

I collected Topps baseball cards as a kid, only had one Sandy Kofax card. They were hard to come across, unlike $2 bills in Jamaica.

They are considered good luck ($2 bill, not a Kofax card), but virtually everyone who believes it already has one.

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Originally Posted by Rob

KAM,

Be sure to allow AJ to open it first. Not that I don't trust you, but AJ will need to know what is in it if asked. And if AJ doesn't know, Custom and Immigration will ask AJ to go to that room at the airport that you don't want to go in...

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Good advice! Thanks for the heads up. I have a small package of earring backs and necklace clasps for a gentleman who makes jewelry. I try and make sure I have the original seller's invoice for any goods I am carrying. That way they can see a description of the stuff and the price.

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Originally Posted by Kold Ass Mofo

Good advice! Thanks for the heads up. I have a small package of earring backs and necklace clasps for a gentleman who makes jewelry. I try and make sure I have the original seller's invoice for any goods I am carrying. That way they can see a description of the stuff and the price.

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Perfect!

Hey KAM, can you provide contact info so we can discuss further?

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Originally Posted by Rob

Most schools have rigid requirements on school supplies, and spiral bound notebooks are not on the majority of acceptable supplies. The black and white hard cover glue binder notebooks are required in most schools.

I am not sure where you are getting this misinformation, but spiral binders will end up being used by a small business for accounting sales purposes at best.

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Here is additional information I’ve received about donating school supplies:
White Samds started a program called Smile for a Child where school supplies can be donated. They have adopted a local school. You can bring pencil, eraser, sharpner, ruler, crayons, etc.
https://www.whitesandsjamaica.com/smile-for-a-child/

I will take the advice from this forum and pack original receipts for these supplies just in case Customs might have questions.

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Originally Posted by AJ1111

Here is additional information I’ve received about donating school supplies:
White Samds started a program called Smile for a Child where school supplies can be donated. They have adopted a local school. You can bring pencil, eraser, sharpner, ruler, crayons, etc.
https://www.whitesandsjamaica.com/smile-for-a-child/

I will take the advice from this forum and pack original receipts for these supplies just in case Customs might have questions.

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All the items mentioned, pencil, eraser, sharpner, ruler, crayons are part of the required school supplies. Spiral bound notebooks are not. Next week, probably Tuesday, I will stop by the school supply store in town and get a picture of the required notebooks as well as other supplies that catch my eye.

White Sands knows spiral bound notebooks do not match the requirements for students that young.

I found a great listing of school supplies for children from the Jamaican Diaspora:

Backpack (child size)
Pencil case
• Pens (black, blue, gel) and pencils
• Highlighters
• Crayons or pencil crayons
• Erasers
• Sharpener
• Ruler
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Soft and hardcover exercise books
• Folder paper
• Scrapbook
• Geometry set
• Playdough (kindergarten)
• Poster paint (kindergarten)
• Jumbo paintbrush (kindergarten)
• Water bottle

Examples of exercise books are below:
Hard coverhttps://i.postimg.cc/gjKstkrb/Gitz-O...4-512x512.webp

https://i.postimg.cc/8cGwbrpb/images.jpg

Soft Cover

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Originally Posted by AJ1111

Hey KAM, can you provide contact info so we can discuss further?

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Thank you for reaching out. I sent you a PM with some info.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/pers...c137e6a8&ei=62

Never sure how to cash in on these rare bill finds, but maybe those old USD $2 might finally pay off.