Tumasek Pewter, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur started out as a mining settlement for the workers employed to dig the tin out from under the foothills of the Titiwangsa range. Tin is the principle element of pewter, so buying a piece of pewter as a memento of your stay in KL is entirely fitting. The most famous producer of pewterware is Royal Selangor, and they have a remarkable collection of items on offer. However, you will get just as good a selection of traditional designs from a competing company, Tumasek Pewter, at a much lower price. There are still other manufacturers, so you are bound to find something that appeals to your taste and fits your budget if you just look around.

What to buy: Picture frames are always a safe choice for gifts; people can always use another one, they pack flat, and they won't break.

Also, I especially like the pewter pen/pencil holders at Tumasek for an alternative, though they are more cumbersome to stuff into a full suitcase.

Browse the websites below for more ideas.

What to pay: As little or as much as you like. Small, relatively inexpensive items include things like letter openers and chopstick rests. More costly by far are the entire chess sets or coffee services you can find. You can get engraving for a small extra charge.