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

[Anonymous]

How about I heart NYC t-shirt? and a bottle of Jack or a great bottle of wine? Even if you gave this to someone in the states, yes they could buy it themselves but would still be grateful to get it.

[Anonymous]

Food is not American forte. Sure, it might amuse and some might like it, but if you want to make people happy then stick to clothing, cosmetics and electronics. All are cheaper than in Europe and can produce a big effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about $1 coins? Or highlighters with the word "highlighter" on them? As for the other suggestions, who wouldn't want expensive luxury goods? Of course ipods, kindles, clothing would be a hit. They'd be a hit here as well!

Yes, the would be a hit in the US as well. But Americans love gifting total crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A really American thing that is a novelty but they may hate is root beer. Euros think it is "quaint" and like to taste it b/c it's so American, but generally thinks it tastes gross. Kids love gross things though. Kinda like anyone visiting Maine and swigging a Moxie to get an authentic experience.

Hi, I'm French and I did try the root beer and yes, I didn't like it. But not because it's gross, but because it taste like a medicine kids take in France, which I used to take. So I think it could taste good if it was not related to a medicine in France

[Anonymous]

What's the custom charge on booze? Not wine--the hard stuff.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read the entire thread, so sorry if someone has already suggested this, but I bought my relatives in Europe a bunch of hot sauces and Old Bay seasoning. They loved it.

[Anonymous]

Haven't read the whole thread, but jelly bellys. Apparently, they are really expensive over there. We bought a huge jar of it at Costco. Friends in UK loved it.

[Anonymous]

This thread is several years old. OP already gone and come back by now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an European living in California for 3 years now... please don t bother bringing american candy to Europe, or chocolate... we hate it... i really can 't stand any of the reese's, or any american chocolate, we generally dislike peanut butter, oreos are gross, tootsie rolls awful... unless someone ask for them, don't bother. Europeans also don't like boxed cake mixes, we find the gross, as we do everything from scratch. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts yes, but good quality ones. My sister also loves the marshmallow fluff, and all the fun marshmallows, if they are special edition , colors, etc. Any cupcake decorations would be a hit, as we don't find as many in Europe, so if your friends like to cook they would love that. Good ideas: Electronics are a good idea, Apple products, ipods, ipads, iphones, and accessories are also appreciated. Kindle. Jewelry is much cheaper in US as well, like silver or diamonds. American brand cosmetics like Estee Lauder, MAC, Bobbi Brown or Clinique. Things from JCrew . Cookie cutters in various interesting shapes. Essie OPI nail polish. FRESH perfumes and lotions. Living Proof hair products. Blue Bottle coffee. I once brought my sister a big box of Sprinkles cupcakes. Hot mexican sauces. baseball caps. trucker caps. Video games. Sets of DVD's like "Friends" or National Geographic. Martha Stewart crafts supplies, or kitchen gadgets. Nice measuring cups and spoons. I take back home big bottles of Omega-3 pills for my parents, much cheaper in US. Laptops, tablets. Anything from Shopbop.com ... they deliver for free in Europe, and this is how I send gifts to friends and family. Things from Anthropologie. Spanx. (lol) Rebeca Minkoff , Michael Kors bags, walets, belts etc. Classic american old movies. KitchenAid stuff.

Good grief! Apple products? MAC? DVD sets?? Europeans really do think all Americans are made of money. And it's not accurate to say ALL Europeans "hate" American candy just because you do... one English friend LOVES Oreos, and another loves Snickers bars. I agree that European chocolate is hands-down better than American chocolate, but these are just sweets. It's not about showing off with expensive gifts, but a novelty or two that's uniquely American.

My husband is going to the UK in a month on business (unfortunately I can't come along), but he'll visit my friend and her family and bring gifts of Oreos, a bottle of Virginia wine, and a Space Shuttle model airplane kit for the boys. The best gift is a simple dinner and conversation shared between friends.

My best friend in Sweden always makes me bring her American chocolate and her husband makes me bring Oreos, english muffins and bagels. The European poster sounds really shallow and I wouldn't really use her suggestions.

I agree! The previous poster's comments are puzzling because groceries stores in Europe and the Middle East carry loads of Oreos, peanut butter, American candy brands, and the like.

I know the original post is dated, but threads like these can be useful in the long term. One thing I sometimes take back to friends overseas are a Cracker Jacks, which are a real hit.

[Anonymous]

My friend in the Netherlands asked me to bring him red solo cups and ping pong balls. They don't have solo cups and, if you teach them some of the drinking games, they will be able to have "America" themed parties. I think it's a perfect gift for 18 year olds!

[Anonymous]

When I lived in Germany, my German neighbors loved the brown paper bags from the commissary. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring them a bible.

Sadly too many people have turned their back on Christ in Europe, with the current economic troubles the inevitable consequence.

Sure, because Europeans can't get bibles. Dumb ass!!

They can get translations, but it is very hard to find one in the original American in many countries.

In the original "American" wow, and I thought people weren't this stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Food is not American forte. Sure, it might amuse and some might like it, but if you want to make people happy then stick to clothing, cosmetics and electronics. All are cheaper than in Europe and can produce a big effect.

Because generally people from Europe are naked, ugly, and live in the stone ages, right? Thank VAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an European living in California for 3 years now... please don t bother bringing american candy to Europe, or chocolate... we hate it... i really can 't stand any of the reese's, or any american chocolate, we generally dislike peanut butter, oreos are gross, tootsie rolls awful... unless someone ask for them, don't bother. Europeans also don't like boxed cake mixes, we find the gross, as we do everything from scratch. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts yes, but good quality ones. My sister also loves the marshmallow fluff, and all the fun marshmallows, if they are special edition , colors, etc. Any cupcake decorations would be a hit, as we don't find as many in Europe, so if your friends like to cook they would love that. Good ideas: Electronics are a good idea, Apple products, ipods, ipads, iphones, and accessories are also appreciated. Kindle. Jewelry is much cheaper in US as well, like silver or diamonds. American brand cosmetics like Estee Lauder, MAC, Bobbi Brown or Clinique. Things from JCrew . Cookie cutters in various interesting shapes. Essie OPI nail polish. FRESH perfumes and lotions. Living Proof hair products. Blue Bottle coffee. I once brought my sister a big box of Sprinkles cupcakes. Hot mexican sauces. baseball caps. trucker caps. Video games. Sets of DVD's like "Friends" or National Geographic. Martha Stewart crafts supplies, or kitchen gadgets. Nice measuring cups and spoons. I take back home big bottles of Omega-3 pills for my parents, much cheaper in US. Laptops, tablets. Anything from Shopbop.com ... they deliver for free in Europe, and this is how I send gifts to friends and family. Things from Anthropologie. Spanx. (lol) Rebeca Minkoff , Michael Kors bags, walets, belts etc. Classic american old movies. KitchenAid stuff.

One of those people who comes to the USA and whinges all the time about how their country is better while living in ours. *yawn* Obviously overly concerned with name brands and not thoughtfulness.

[Anonymous]

We live in Europe. When I go home this summer, I'm going to bring back: green Extra gum (they sell it in Europe, but it isn't as soft or long-lasting), Good Seasons Zesty Italian salad dressing mix envelopes, Crest White Strips (against EU rules, apparently), deodorant in fun flavors, a new Clarisonic, warm flannel pj sets, BPAL oils, cat treats.