Samovars, Shawls & Ceramics: 5 Things To Buy When In Russia

Whether it’s edibles, vodka, ceramics or high end retail, Russia is a shopper’s paradise.

Buy replicas of the Fabulous Faberge Easter Eggs, created by St. Petersburg jeweller Karl Gustav Faberge for the Russian Royals, housed in the Hermitage Museum. Chocolates aren’t the first thing one would associate Russia with, but do try “Alenka” and “Babaevsky” chocolate bars. Soviet era memorabilia, which include collectible items such as badges and other artifacts dating back to and representative of the Soviet era make for good presents to give to people back home. Malachite, a deep green opaque gemstone found in Russia, make for delicate pieces of jewellery and other nice widgets. Rostov enamels were originally used in decoration of church utensils and icons in several towns across Russia. Later, they thrived in the town of Rostov for painting miniatures on a thin copper plate covered on both sides with a layer of enamel.