Back2Sabi

We will be staying with some family friends in Johannesburg for two days when we first touch down in SA. They are very well to do so I have no idea what to bring them as gifts. (I normally would bring wine, but that seems kinda silly considering the excellent quality of wine in SA!) Is there anything uniquely American (I know, an oxymoron!) that I could transport? They have three children so should I just bring the same sort of gifts I would to any child 1 year, 5 years and 7 years old or, again, is there something specific that is harder to find in SA than at any/every mall here?

THANKS SO MUCH for any help!

tuckeg

I will be doing the same thing soon. I have been thinking about some real maple syrup. Not sure I could get it past customs and also not positive they don't get it in SA (I've never seen it there) but thought they might enjoy it.

VeeR

We're leaving tomorrow and had the same concern. I finally opted for some chili/chocolate that is made to go with red wine as our friends are wine lovers - also a photobook of our city.
The chocolate is a good hard chocolate now triple wrapped in ziplocks. I purchased it at local company - but saw something similar at Cost Plus-World Market.

Tuckeg - I think maple syrup is a great idea.

matnikstym

From an earlier thread, looks like maple syrup is popular but available in S.A.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35112671

pippa13

@ veer
oops - have a look at thokozani at diemersfontein winery which is a black empowered winery making a marvelous shiraz blend which is divine especially with dark cholocate!

tuckeg

Thanks Lynn, I missed that thread. Not sure I'll bring it since it is available there but nice to know I can.

cybor

Being a food lover, I always first think of regional types of food/liquor/wines or freshly grown herbs/spices, etc.
Where are you from? Homemade salsa, cheese, jerki, jams, etc.

Handmade soaps made from homegrown herbs, fruits etc. may work as well.

A hand crafted picture frame made from local shells or woods is another idea.
Good luck!

tuckeg

In my case, I'm from maple syrup country. I can buy it from my neighbors.

isabel25

For the one- and five-year-old, you might want to look for something at the MOMA store or other museum store. If the seven-year-old is a Harry Potter fan, you might want to get him or her a copy of the American version of the first book. It is substantially different than the versions in the rest of the English speaking world. We had some friends from Canada stay with us a few years ago and they brought a copy of the Canadian/British version for my daughter. She had the American version almost memorized and LOVED finding all the differences in British vocabulary -- "lorry" instead of "truck," etc. The title of the American version is different, too. I believe it is only the American version that is "translated" from the British, and therefore a seven year old in South Africa who is familiar with the British version might get a kick out of the American version.

For the adults, I still think American wines are a nice idea. I'd go to a really good local wine store and ask the manager to recommend some good wines from small producers who don't export much. I live in California, and would be delighted if a South African visitor brought South African wines.

If your hosts are into art, a couple of catalogs from recent museum exhibitions would be nice. Or maybe a set of CDs from an NPR show, like "This American Life."

Another idea for the kids is Paul Frank merchandise. It's wildly popular among American kids, and I don't think it has hit South Africa yet.