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I purchased LOTS on my trips, because I want to have stuff to give to the kids for years to come. In particular, there's one booth in the artisan's market in Antigua that sells handpainted ceramic holiday ornaments in the shapes of suns and moons that are just gorgeous. I bought about 20 of them last year and gave them for Christmas gifts. They were a hit. And cost just about $1 apiece. There are lots of great things to buy. Happy shopping!
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Our guide took us to a shop outside of Antigua called Carolina's. It was very much out of the way and very quiet and secure. They had tons of traditional clothing and offered to have us try on the clothing for photo's. They had everything from handmade jewelry and clothing to dolls and beautiful tapestries. We bought a beautiful tapestry showing the Mayan's worshipping the sun with their pyramids, animals and people...among many other things! It was an incredible experience that we found on our visit trip and specifically asked to go back for our pick up trip! Kathy
We also went to Caralina's shop on our first trip. Our guide told us that at age 13 or 14, Caralina was the national winner of a weaving competition and then went on the represent Guatemala in an international competition. I don't remember if she won that, but it seems she did.
Anyway...I have purchased a total of eight wool blankets in my favorite creams and blues on our three trips. Three trips for this many. Bought some in Antigua and the rest at Central Market in GC..average price about $25. I love them, and they do come in brighter colors, too. I bought one for each of our sons, our daughter, myself...and our four daughters at home all wanted on this trip. Fit the last five from Feb trip into extra suitcase we'd taken with things for the orphanage.
I also try to find small stone or wooden animals for my kids, small, colorful ceramic "chicken buses" which I thread a ribbon thru and hang as Christmas ornaments on our tree. They come in all sizes and are a "typical" tourist item. I also bought terra cotta angels at the artisan market to bring for relatives...about $1/item, also. Woven hats, table runners, purses, hacky-sacks, wooden bowls, etc. Things are way too reasonably priced for the amount of work they must put into some of these things. I always get home and wish I'd not been so cheap and bought more things for more friends, relatives and kids. One treasure is a brightly painted wooden box bought at Lake Atitlan where our son was born. Guide told us it was the typical tourist item from that area...if someone saw it, they would know you'd been to Lake Atitlan. Really neat to have for our son...even if it may be the typical, tacky tourist purchase!
I also look for postcards of scenes, but mostly of children and adults in traditional clothing...since it's not always possible to ask to take photos of people. I did give a little boy a granola bar with permission from his mama after I'd taken his photo. She wanted me to buy him an "icy"..."One icy for the photo?" But I had the granola bar and she said he would like it. She was weaving at the artisan market and I also have a gorgeous photo of her at work on her weaving she agreed to. Then we purchased some of her items.
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I've bought tons of stuff in Guatemala... but the thing I get the most comments about are the colorful wooden letters I bought that spell out each child's name to put in their rooms. Cheap too -- "TOM" and "LILY" cost about a dollar per letter -- and I think they are great visual reminders of their heritage. I also collect crosses and bought a couple of the colorful wooden crosses for my collection.
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We bought Abby a blanket it is beautiful. Then, we got dolls. These dolls were like barbie dolls, but all clothing and jewelry on the dolls were handcrafted. Some of the dolls may be carrying water buckets on their heads, carrying baskets or whatever. They were only $7 each. Then, we bought some change purses for the girls. My sister bought a beautiful handcrafted Salad serving set, it is absolutely beautiful. Oh, I bought Abby a dress that should fit her next year. It is so pretty it is handcrafted of course it is a pale yellow color, and it says Guatemala at the bottom of the dress.
Beth
We bought a couple of very cute embroidered dresses. Everyone comments on them. A traditional maya outfit for when she is older. Several woven pic frames some with worry dolls attached. Everyone wanted those so we bought lots more on our pickup trip for gifts. Two really neat big quilts made from peices of traditional mayan clothing, we got these from the Marriott.
We got my nephew a neat leather and woven belt. We also bought some paintings, the airport acutally has a great store with some really nice art. We bought a couple of masks too. I wanted a nativity scene also, but all of our suit cases were so full I was afraid it was too fragile. But will def get one the next time we go to Guatemala.