We've got a load of great gift ideas to ship off to the homestead. Not only are our picks easy on the eye, they're easy on the wallet too. And yeah, sure it's heavy on Chinese-themed gifts, but why not remind the family about the place you've made home?

Ceramics: We got this set of three pretty little sauce bowls at a pushcart in 798 for only ¥10. Similar finds are also available at the Liangma Flower Market. Trust us—no one back home will know how budget these gorgeous pieces are.

Get It: Liangma Flower Market |B8 Dongsanhuan Beilu, 东三华北路乙8号, Tel: 6504-2446

Tea Set: Sure it’s stereotypical, but a tea set (paired with a nice bag of oolong) is a classic China gift that’ll go over well with older folks. Get a lead-free porcelain set (around ¥300) from laozihao teashop Wu Yu Tai.

Get It: Wu Yu Tai | 44 Dongsi Bei Dajie, 东四北大街44号, Tel: 8403-0547

Shadow Puppets: Give the gift of one of China's most revered artistic traditions with an elegantly framed shadow puppet, made from dyed leather. Find them for a few hundred yuan (you'll need to bargain) at Panjiayuan Antique Market.

Get It: Panjiayuan Antique Market |潘家园旧货市场, Tel: 5120-4671

Tiger Pillows: Fun and comfy tiger pillows (¥48-128) are a great addition to anyone's home. They're soft and colorful, and strike a balance between giving something that screams "China!" and is also tasteful.

Get It: Buluo Classical Beddings | 10-1 Nanluoguxiang, 南锣鼓巷10-1号

Chinglish T-Shirts: Nothing will amuse friends back home like a T-shirt that reads: “Dimple Jam: we have buried the hatchet.” We bought this one in Xidan, but you can get great shirts for as little as ¥10 at the Zoo Market. Matching his-and-hers shirt sets are ¥29.

Get It: Zoo Market | Across from the Beijing Zoo, 动物园对面

Panda Hats: Nothing says "China" quite like pandas. Panda House stocks all sorts of panda-related gear, from jewelry to stuffed animals. But we especially love these silly panda hats, available from Gulou street vendors for around ¥50.

Get It: Panda House | 10 Nanluoguxiang, 南锣鼓巷10号, Tel: 138-1057-7934

Thermoses: Sweeten up a relative's morning caffeine intake with a coffee thermos that doubles as a work of art. Classic Chinese thermoses are available along NLGX. We like the hand-painted ones for ¥40 at 5 Nanluoguxiang, available in a range of colors.

5 Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷5号)

Paper Umbrellas: These traditional, hand-painted umbrellas (¥100 and up) are perfect for home decoration, but they can also be used in the rain. An extra bonus is how easy and light they are to carry in your suitcase.

Get It: Ruo Shui Tang | 144 Gulou Dong Dajie, 鼓楼东大街144号, Tel: 6406-4496