Unique Russian Themed Gifts for Men, Women and Kids

Russian Cheburashka is one of the most popular Soviet-Russian cartoon character's that quickly captures the hearts and imaginations of all children. Cheburashka is an adorable little character with huge round ears, big eyes and soft fur.

Cheburashka plays the main role in a series of children's cartoons depicting fun adventures of cute Cheburashka as he discovers the world and makes lots of new friends along the way. Cheburashka is always accompanied by his best friend Crocodile named Gena. Crocodile Gena is a friendly character who loves to play an accordion and sing cute songs. One of crocodile Gena's most favorite songs is named the "Blue Train Car," which is probably known by heart by all Russian children and their parents. Cheburashka's adventures also include mischievous witch named Shapoklyak who causes lots of naughty troubles.

Even though Cheburashka was originally a cartoon character, later it was reproduced into a cuddly plush toy. Every child who grew up in Soviet Russia knows and loves little Cheburashka. Cheburashka is so popular in Russia that it was even an official mascot of Russian Olympic team during 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece.

You may not have heard of Cheburashka before, but don't you agree that Cheburashka is an adorable toy that would make a child happy? Don't you just want to cuddle with this cute Cheburashka plush toy? Your baby probably wants to cuddle with Cheburashka too!

Karakul Russian Hat is a special style of hat made from curly lambskin. Sometimes this hat is also called Astrakhan Fur Hat because the curly fur from which the hat is made is often referred to as Astrakhan or Persian lamb.

Karakul hats became very popular among Soviet political leaders and military commanders during the regime of former Soviet Union. Karakul Hat was a symbol of privileged high political status and military recognition, famously favored by Soviet presidents such as Leonid Brezhnev and Mikhail Gorbachev. Check out the photo of former USSR president Leonid Brezhnev who was a Soviet leader between the years of 1964-1982. Brezhnev absolutely loved to wear Karakul hat!

Karakul Hats were also quite popular among Kazakhs (also known as Cossacks) from former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. The quality of Karakul Hat is determined by the size and density of the curly fur. If the curly fur is very dense and small in size, then the hat is considered to be of high quality with a steep price to match.

You probably think how in the world a gas mask made it to the list of holiday gifts? Well you see, a gas mask has a very special significance to many people who grew up in Soviet Russia. When I was a child growing up in former USSR, we had to learn how to put on a gas mask as part of a school program curriculum. Every other week we had air raid drills at the school where every schoolchild had to quickly put on a gas mask within a certain amount of time.

I used to hate those drills so much! A gas mask is not so easy to put on, especially when you are a little girl with two thick braids tied with humongous bows on your head. Check out the picture of me, do you think it was easy to put on a tight gas mask over this elaborate hairstyle while a screaming teacher frantically waves a pocket watch in front of your eyes? As a child, I knew that if an air raid would happen for real, I would be the first one to die because I was so slow and clumsy with putting on a gas mask. But thankfully there were no air raids and I quickly put those agonizing drills behind me.

I completely forgot how a gas mask even looked like until I saw one displayed at my university in San Francisco during an Emergency Preparedness Day. Here it was, displayed in full size on a big poster with tips on how to survive a biological or chemical attack. So after all, maybe a gas mask is not only an unusual thing to gift, it might also be a practical item to own.

Do you want to impress or surprise someone with the most unique and creative gift of all? Then consider giving the gift of Russian Balalaika!

Russian Balalaika is a traditional folk music instrument that looks like a triangular guitar. This beautiful three-stringed music instrument originally was only played by poor peasants and shepherds in Russian countryside but quickly became the most popular instrument all around Russia.

You don't have to be a professional musician in order to appreciate Balalaika instrument and it is not so hard to learn how to play it. Balalaika can be used to play a big diversity of musical styles, such as Russian folk music, gypsy music, classical music and even jazz, rock, punk and some others. Balalaika is truly a fun instrument to learn how to play and makes a wonderful gift for children, teens and adults.

Russian Soviet Military Flask is a perfect gift idea for any man: boyfriend, husband, father, grandfather, son, co-worker or a male friend. Russian Soviet flasks are made from a high quality stainless steel material and are usually richly decorated with various soviet theme badges, military insignia or historical medals.

Soviet Flasks always feature a special handy latch that prevents the loss of the screw-on cap on top of the flask. These flasks have been a practical accessory in Russia for hundreds of years and serve as a loyal companion (of course only when filled with vodka) during hunting, fishing, camping, skiing or any other outdoor activity or sporting event. In Russia flasks are considered to be a highly valuable gift which is practical and useful. So why not give a gift of Soviet Flask that your recipient can actually use and enjoy?

Russian Ushanka Hat has always been the most popular winter wear during the days of former Soviet Union and in modern-day Russia. Ushanka literally means a hat with ear flaps.

Ushanka Hat's signature ear flaps can be worn several different ways, often either folded up and tied at the top or worn down and tied at the chin. Russian Ushanka hats are usually made either from real or faux fur and decorated with distinguishing emblems, such as red star pins, military insignia and other significant badges, symbols and crests. Everyone from former Soviet Military Army to Russian KGB to everyday civilians love to wear Ushanka hat.

Russian Ushanka Hat is not only fashionable, but also quite practical keeping you super warm and cozy during cold winter days. Check out this cool picture of Sean Connery wearing an authentic Russian Ushanka Hat in the movie "The Hunt for Red October" where he plays a Soviet submarine Captain named Marko Ramius. This stylish and warm Ushanka Hat would make a great gift, don't you agree?

Samovar is the most integral part of Russian culture and it is a very old tradition in Russia to serve black tea from a Samovar. It is common for Russian people to gather around Samovar and indulge in a centuries old custom of drinking tea. Samovar is a symbol of Russian hospitality, home comfort and friendly conversations that often carry late into the night.

Since Russians love to drink tea slowly while carrying on a conversation, Samovar is a perfect solution. Samovar is like a big teakettle that is used primarily to boil water for tea and then to keep it warm for many long hours. A steady hot steam that rises from the Samovar keeps warm a small teapot filled with loose tealeaves of fragrant black tea on top of the Samovar.

Samovar makes an exceptionally unique and practical gift to anyone on your list. There are many different styles of Samovar that could be either basic metal Samovar or beautifully hand-painted Samovar with colorful pictures depicting Russian folktales.

Children love to play with tea sets because it is so much fun. They love to play pretend and act like adults mimicking the activities around them.

When we were little, my sister and I loved imaginary play of hosting tea parties for our dolls and stuffed animals. Just like our parents who loved to have friends over for a cup of tea around the Samovar, we loved to serve imaginary yummy tea to each other and our toys. Here is an old picture of my little sister Natasha who absolutely adored to play with tea sets when she was young. Isn't she cute? Children's tea sets make great holiday gifts for children of any age!

Leninade is a refreshing (nonalcoholic) pink lemonade named after Vladimir Lenin who is a well-known Russian revolutionary leader (particularly the Russian Revolution that took place in October of 1917.)

Leninade soda pop tastes really delicious and contains absolutely no vodka or any other alcohol in it. Leninade comes in bright red-colored bottle symbolizing traditional red color of Communism. The bottle is covered with amusing slogans related to old Soviet propaganda, such as "Get Hammered & Sickled", "Drink Comrade! Drink!", "A taste worth standing in line for!" and "Lenin drank leninade, Lenin drinks leninade and Lenin will always drink leninade!"

Leninade is an awesome party drink!

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