Need some ideas for American gifts to take to my European friends this summer.

[Anonymous]

"If you are bringing baseball hats, I would suggest either Yankees or Red Sox hats. I doubt any other teams would be recognizable over there."

Europeans LOVE the Red Sox. [South Americans usually like the Yankees]. From a traveler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in the same boat - I love all of these ideas but have heard that German customs is very strict.... will they take all the food items (ie bisquick, brownie mix...) away in customs?

Bumping this up because we used some of the suggestions in this FABULOUS thread to create a care package / birthday present for our lovely former au pair in Germany. Sadly, the package was returned to us because, due to the food items we had included, it did not make it through customs.

Now I'm thinking of maybe getting her a small designer item, like a wallet. She's young, likes trendy things, and unfortunately I have no idea what her clothes size is since I haven't seen her for a couple of years. Any non-food suggestions are very welcome.

[Anonymous]

I was Googling "gifts to bring to Europeans," as I'm visiting a friend's family who are putting me up in London for a couple days, and ran across this thread. I just wanted to thank everyone for the awesome suggestions (even if they weren't meant for me!

A bottle of Jack Daniels, salt water taffy, Cracker Jacks, pancakes and syrup, almonds, PB ... what simple yet awesome ideas, if they're not easily found over there.

[Anonymous]

OP Here --

Just saw that this thread was revived and wanted to give you an update. We went to Europe and had a blast. I must say that of all the things I took the DC United Tee-Shirts and the Salt Water Taffy were the biggest hits though the kids loved the crunchy-style peanut butter as well. I also ended up taking a whole lot of back issues of the Washingtonian Magazine that I had lying around the house as well as Washington DC eyewitness guides for the adults. The tween boys loved the American style football and immediately started throwing it around after my husband taught them how to throw it. I also stashed a bunch of smaller salt water taffy and Big League Chew packets in my suitcase that I had for just in case I needed something else if I ran in to more people I knew. I think I took more than just this but I can't remember everything now. I put everything into one suitcase that was then empty for me to bring home all our souvenirs in.

Thanks for all the suggestions again.

[Anonymous]

23:48, you'll be wasting your time taking most of those things to London. Jack Daniels, pancakes & syrup, almonds and peanut butter (several varieties) are very easily found in London. Although I'm sure a nice bottle of Jack Daniels would be appreciated by your hosts.

I'm from London and have no idea what Cracker Jacks are, so you could take those (although there might be a British equivalent with a different name). Salt water taffy might also be a good idea as I tried it for the first time in the US and have never seen it in London.

[Anonymous]

lived in Europe for a few years and could never find Marshmellows. Not to say they would like them but pretty sure this is American as you can get.

[Anonymous]

Ziploc baggies, esp the ones that zip are always a huge hit with those that like to cook. I agree about toll house cookies - -always popular.

[Anonymous]

Being from Europe myself, would suggest that small items by American designers will be a hit with trendy young people. Coach, for example. But this is probably on the more expensive side.
Stuff from Hard Rock cafes would be a nice gift too I think.
California wine for adults -very nice!

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Switzerland and always wanted my aunts and uncle to bring us Oreos. I would hide them and savour them--one or two a day tops. It was like eating a treasure. Of course now I dont even give them a though. Go figure. But OREOS!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I live in Uk, definatly marshmallow fluff. when I go to US I always bring back loads of the stuff, my kids love it, their friends love it.....mmmm marshmallow fluff

[Anonymous]

cheap, horrible American candy is hardly a gift....you want to make the Europeans as obese and unhealthy as the Americans....please be more creative with suggestions

[Anonymous]

Hershey's tastes like chocolate wax - don't ever take that to europeans.
In the UK they have Cadbury's, Germany they have Milka and in Switzerland all types of fabulous chocs.

[Anonymous]

Just discovered this conversation, looking for gifts for my daughter to take to France as an exchange student for a year. I doubt the French would appreciate US food - I was thinking more along the lines of Made in Colorado items (that's where we're from although originally South Africa) - aspen leaf Christmas decorations/jewellery, wine bracelets, Indian music CD, etc. or even Vera Bradley, scarves, etc.

Am intrigued about the Tollhouse cookies - how do you manage to take raw dough into another country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Am intrigued about the Tollhouse cookies - how do you manage to take raw dough into another country?

You don't bring raw cookie dough on the plane! Make the cookies and pack them up nicely - or layer the ingredients in a big mason jar and give them the directions on a nice card w/ribbon.

[Anonymous]

My friends always ask me to bring Jack Daniels and, for some bizzare reason, tootsie rolls. But, that probably won't be appropriate for your daughter.