Recently I was stuck for a present idea for a friend of mine who just got engaged to a Russian man (pronounced moozh-chee-na, just a bit of random information for you). Through a bit of friend on friend brainstorming we remembered Russian Dolls aka Matryoshka Dolls, or, Nesting Dolls.
These wee guys I found on Trade me ( please don't go out bidding me, that would be pretty un-sweet ;) )
Matryoshka Dolls are, obviously, wooden dolls that you pull apart to find ANOTHER Matryoshka Doll, and ANOTHER, and ANOTHER, and ANOTHER, and so on and so forth. Usually there are at least 5, and they all end in the baby one that doesn't open. Ohhhh, how sweet. My sister and I both had a set when we were younger, but I am unsure of where they disappeared to, proberly back to mother Russia.
The outside one I always thought was the mother, seemed logical, smart child I was. ;), then I learned that Matryona, which was a popular name in old Russia is closely linked to motherhood, and that the dolls themselves are a symbol of maternity, personality and continuity.
