Visiting a Friend Overseas, Gift to Bring to Dinner
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Anonymous
| I'm visiting an old friend and her husband in Europe early next month and will be going to their house for dinner. I'm planning to bring a bottle of wine but would also like to bring something thoughtful. I can't think of anything! I've been working on a project at work that has taken all of my energy and brain space. I'm out of ideas. Suggestions of something small and thoughtful that I could gift them that will be packable in my carry on luggage? Thank You! |
Anonymous
|
mumbo sauce
Virginia peanuts J.O. seasoning shakers |
Anonymous
I'm sorry, but none of these, unless you know for sure that they like mumbo sauce and/or peanuts. Tell me about your friends. Are they Americans living overseas? Do they have children? I lived overseas for several years, and when people visited from the states there were definitely things I wanted, but not DC/Americana chotchkes. |
Anonymous
|
Most food items may be rejected at customs too, FYI. I would check the list of what is allowed.
Honestly I wouldn't bring anything. I lived overseas for decades and by like 2015, unless you were in a very remote part of Eastern Europe, you could get everything just like in the US. Even Beyond beef. |
Anonymous
| I’m an American living in Europe and I love when people bring me large containers of ibuprofen. |
Anonymous
|
I'm OP: to clarify, I'm not trying to bring something US-themed or something my friends can't get in Spain. I just want to bring a thoughtful gift I can buy in advance and put in my carry on.
They are not Americans living overseas. Their kids are grown. They are not chotchke people. I'm leaning toward something from the MOMA or National Gallery of Art shops but open to all ideas. |
Anonymous
| Don't bring anything from the US, its all too vulgar. Get flowers locally or a desert. |
Anonymous
|
Fancy chocolates?
Hermes leather tray Venus et fleur single rose Custom stationary Le labo candle Nice tea |
Anonymous
OP, this is exactly what I needed--thank you! |
Anonymous
|
When I've done this I've asked my host if there's anything in particular they might like from the US or duty free. The requests have been
A certain liquor from duty free (4 different people, 2 different continents) Toblerone Peanut butter Trader Joe's reusable cotton bags Mr clean magic eraser (so random but made a friend so happy!) A certain sunscreen Brownie mix Girl Scout cookies |
Anonymous
Good! Enjoy your trip 
|
Anonymous
| Fresh local flowers or a plant have never been poorly received, by myself as a host, or by anyone I’ve brought them for. |
Anonymous
The Hermes tray is almost $800, wouldn’t that be a pricey gift for a dinner gathering? |
Anonymous
| Girl Scout cookies is a fun idea! |
Anonymous
They were terrible this year for the most part. |