You're reading: Souvenirs that won’t gather dust on the shelf

Most of the souvenir shops that tourists stumble upon in Kyiv are corny and overpriced. There is an alternative. The Kyiv Post put together a list of souvenir ideas to satisfy all tastes.

Stuffed animals in ethnic clothing

A stuffed bunny wearing a traditional Ukrainian waistcoat zhupan is sold at Koza Dereza shop.

A stuffed bunny wearing a traditional Ukrainian waistcoat zhupan is sold at Koza Dereza shop.

Hand-made stuffed animals look cute and always bring a smile. The toys are made of natural materials and can serve as a home decoration or child’s toy. Souvenir manufacturer Koza Dereza offers adorable bunnies, cats and bears stuffed with natural buckwheat husk and dressed in Ukrainian-style embroidered coats. The toys sell for Hr 110 – 160.
Koza Dereza shops are found in Kyiv malls: Ocean Plaza, Karavan, Skymall. Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Or purchase them online at www.kozadereza.com.ua

Photo album of Kyiv

Ye bookshop offers plenty of English-language photo albums about Kyiv at moderate prices.

Ye bookshop offers plenty of English-language photo albums about Kyiv at moderate prices.

Coffee table books with beautiful pictures can revive memories of a journey to Kyiv. Local bookstore Ye offers options such as an English-language book of Kyiv photos “Top 10. Photo Album” (Hr 67), “Guidebook Ukraine. Travel Guide” (Hr 230), “Ukrainian National Cuisine” (Hr 57), and “Ukraine. Top 100 Sights. Photo Book” (Hr 185). Photo albums of local artists are also available at Ye.
Ye bookstore. 5 Spaska St. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. www.book-ye.com.ua

Vyshyvanka

Embroidered Ukrainian shirts known as vyshyvankas are proving a summer hit with international stars such as American actress Hayden Panettiere and English model Kate Moss. One can buy a full national Ukrainian costume from local brand Otaman which offers vyshyvankas for Hr 1,650 – 3,800, dresses for Hr 5,500, and coats from Hr 5,000 – 23,000. For a bigger list of brands that sell vyshyvankas, look up the Kyiv Post article “Rich vyshyvanka comes into high fashion” online at www.kyivpost.com.
Otaman (ethnic clothing shop). 21A Mykhailivska St. Tel. 094-829-0231. Open daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Homemade jam

Figs-and-lime is one the Mamaolikoli’s unusual jam flavors.

Figs-and-lime is one the Mamaolikoli’s unusual jam flavors.

A simple jar of jam can portray the sweet side of Ukraine to loved ones back home. Local homemade jams are usually cooked according to traditional recipes. Those looking for unusual jams can buy a jar from Mamaolikoli, an innovative jam maker which offers lemon-ginger chili jam (Hr 65) as well as orange-and-carrot jam (Hr 50). Those who prefer traditional flavors can buy cranberry-apple or pumpkin-cranberry jam (Hr 50).

Buy online at www.mamaolikoli.com.ua

Homespun woolen blankets

A similar woolen plaid goes for Hr 800 at www.rynoksuvenir.com.ua.

A similar woolen plaid goes for Hr 800 at www.rynoksuvenir.com.ua.

A Ukrainian blanket (lizhnyk) can be the perfect shield against cold winter evenings. These traditional handmade woolen blankets from the Carpathian Mountains will suit those who love coziness and originality. The online shop Rynok Suveniriv offers a variety of beautiful, bright-colored blankets for Hr 500 – 800.
www.rynoksuvenir.com.ua. Delivery may take up to three days.
Kyiv Post staff writer Nataliya Trach can be reached at [email protected]