I live in Iowa. Visiting Australia and Tasmania and will be visiting friends of the friend I’m traveling with. Would like to bring a hostess gift. Ideas please?

That’s nice Liz. If you don’t have any idea of these people’s interests, I would just being something you would like to receive from someone visiting from another country.

By the way - Tasmania is a State of Australia. It is not a separate country.

Liz - I usually give regional cookbooks from my area - such as Junior League - I often include a set of American measuring cups and spoons. They're generally well received.

I wouldn't advise bringing in food - not a popular item with our border authorities. How about a couple of American magazines or teatowels from your state.

If you are staying with them then maybe it's different but if just going to dinner, I wouldn't go overboard. A gift is nice but not really expected. Most people going to someone's house for a meal might take a bottle of wine or maybe a bunch of flowers. Ask your friend if you think they'd like a small flowering pot plant (cyclamen/orchid etc). When we travelled in the US, I used to think Barnes and Noble bookstores had some lovely gift ideas - coffee mugs, tote bags, bookmarks, etc.