Russia is a country rich in crafts and craftsmen whose wonderful creations have been an integral part of Russian culture for centuries. Many skills are special to particular regions, but you can buy their handicrafts nearly everywhere in souvenir stores. Of course, Russia is most famous for its matrioshkas (nestling dolls) or samovars. But there are many other wonderful things to look out for to bring home as gifts or to grace your home with mementos of your trip.

If you're looking for something fun, you could look for the delightful clay craft toys from Dymkhovo. The potters of Dymkhovo (now the territory of modern Kirov) have been making these charming toys for 300 years. Each toy is made individually by hand by molding from clay, then firing and painting. Dymkhovo toys are instantly recognizable from the riot of gay colors on a white base. Some are figures of everyday folk. Some are scenes from real life or fairy tales. Some are exotic animals, such as multi-colored chickens.

If you want something more elegant, there is nothing better than the world-famous ceramics made in Gzhel. Gzhel is the name of a picturesque region nearby Moscow and Gzhel porcelain dates back to the XIV century. It is soft white porcelain, decorated by hand with bright blue ornament or flowers in the style unique to Gzhel. The blue color of the decorations is created by adding cobalt to the porcelain to turn it blue in a particular pattern.

Another Russian specialty is the subtle art of the Palekh lacquer miniature, which is based on the principles of old Russian painting and folk art, and depicts a poetic world inspired by Russian fairy tales and songs. At first only icons were created in the Palekh style but later Palekh miniatures became popular for decorating wooden caskets, boxes, Easter eggs and tableware. A peculiar feature of Palekh is attention to detail which make the ornament look very natural.

Khokhloma is an old Russian craft which appeared in the XVII century in Zavolzhie Region. It is an ornamental decoration of wooden tableware and furniture made by red and black tones on the golden base. The decoration is achieved by brushing with silver stannic powder which is later covered with a special varnish to give Khokhloma craft its beautiful deep golden color. Traditional Khokhloma ornaments are juicy red wild strawberries, ashberries and trees branches in blossom. Wooden Khokhloma spoons are especially popular with tourists.

Bogorodskoe Wooden Toys date back as far as 300 years. They are carved by people who live in Bogorodskoe in Moscow Region who made toys from linden. The process is very complicated, and before even starting to make a toy, the wood had to be dried for two years. Then the figure is carved and later polished, leaving just plain wood. Traditionally, such figures show kind funny bears with a basket full of mushrooms or berries or playing garmoshka. Many are made with ingenious moving parts.