HRAAB Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 My dd is studying in Germany this summer and wants to give a gift to the family she will be staying with. When it comes to buying gifts, I am pretty clueless. I was thinking something unique from America, but what in the world would that be??? And what is appropriate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 We've always done a jug of maple syrup. Nan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 We send maple syrup and the kids take chocolate chips and converted recipes to bake cookies. They might have to take baking soda or something with them. It's been a couple of years. Or bags with a picture of something from our country . Are you near a major site of interest? TShirts for kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 I never thought of maple syrup because I didn't know you could take it on the plane. I'm not much of a traveler. I like that idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 You cannot carry it on! But it can go in your checked baggage. Other ideas include any small item your area is known for. Anne 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 I would send something light and not fragile. Is there something that is unique to your state or area? A pretty fabric piece (table runner), for example? Or a nice wall calendar that has scenes of your state in it? When my dd went to Central America for the first time, she brought a bag of wild rice (grown in our state), a kitchen towel that had a map of our state on it, and a box of instant snow (which we have in abundance in our state :)). Kind of random gifts, but they were fun. Another dd brought a little dish made by a local potter, although she had to pack it carefully. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CT Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Board games are fun, and if your daughter knows how to play upon arrival, can serve as an early icebreaker. Visually- or math- oriented games that don't entail a lot of language (Set, Five Crowns, Farkle etc) are easy to share cross-culturally. I'd also second the idea of anything very specific/traditional to your part of the country. And maps! Europeans seem to adore maps :laugh: .... Best wishes for your daughter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Q Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 When my daughter did a summer in Germany, she brought a set of four mugs with a lovely William Morris design from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop. I liked them so much that she bought a set for me that Christmas! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 Thanks for the suggestions. Now we have a shopping list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 If you are from maple syrup country and aren't checking bags, you can take maple sugar candies on the flight. We took maple cream once thinking it would be solid enough; the young security guy was skeptical at first until an older security woman came over and started gushing about how yummy it is. So we got lucky. :) But I'd stick with candies from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 I like the idea of a tea towel, too, if you can find one representative of your state or area. It packs easily and everyone uses them. They can be very beautiful, I often give them as gifts for people I don't know well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/state-dish-towels ^link to tea towels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 I would go with something more local culture than general Americana. Local products from your state, perhaps. I live in Arizona and rather than maple syrup, might send agave syrup or prickly pear jam. For a less edible gift, something made by a local craft person, maybe a landscape art print or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 I second the chocolate chips. That's what my German friend always wanted. She also loved corn on the cob, so I wonder if canned corn would be a hit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 My dd is studying in Germany this summer and wants to give a gift to the family she will be staying with. When it comes to buying gifts, I am pretty clueless. I was thinking something unique from America, but what in the world would that be??? And what is appropriate?I went overboard with individual gifts, so gap or Abercrombie shirts for the kids, a scarf for mom and leather gloves for dad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcmommy Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 Ha! I also took maple syrup! I would NOT take chocolate chips. My swiss host fam turned up their noses at American chocolate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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