Jay_G

sparkchaser, you're doing God's work.

I'm fairly certain the indigenous population, clad in their traditional costume of Supreme caps and jeans so tight you can tell what religion they are, treat you as the bringer of civility you undoubtedly are.

No doubt they attempt to trade the "candy" (such exotic terminology!) for things that are valuable to them, such as ten Mayfair and an oreo McFlurry.

sparkchaser

They are holding out on me. All I ever get offered are Quality Street confections. And marmite.

Rubicund

Jay_g, they slide the "candy" quietly into the kitchen pedal bin whilst equating sparky with David Icke (google for comparison). When enlightenment dawns, you will greet Quality Street and Cadbury's Roses with enthusiasm. Marmite, not so much.

Jay_G

Ah, Quality Street. The "Christmas visitor package" as it's known in the local vernacular.

Making an offering that's enough to not be considered rude, but everyone knows the good stuff is being saved for people the host actually likes.

Not Marmite though. That's the nectar of the gods and should be treated with the reverence it deserves.

sparkchaser

In a totally unrelated topic, I read somewhere that marmite can be used to add unami to a dish to enhance the beefiness of it. I plan on trying this the next time I make a pot of chili.

Speaking of chili, if you want to impress then bring your friends some Carrol Shelby's chili mix. You're welcome.

Jay_G

To further derail the topic, Marmite can indeed be used for that, I've tried it a couple of times but prefer the tried and tested method of few dashes of Lea and Perrins. Found it to be less overpowering.

I'll have to give that chilli mix a try. I'm partial to D.L. Jardine's sauces, but am happy to eat as much chilli as possible to find a better one.

hetismij2

Marmite is excellent in soups and stews, sparkchaser.
You do know it is a German invention don't you?

Some people are allergic to peanuts, and others just don't like them, so I would be cautious about a peanut based gift unless you are sure the recipient will enjoy it.

sparkchaser

I did not know that, hetismij2.

You can get Carrol Shelby's chili mix on Amazon but it is way, way too expensive. It is good stuff though.

I'll look into Lea and Perrins.

hetismij2

I shall look out for Carrol Shelby's mix. Maybe one of the many ex-pat stores stocks it too.

sassy27

Janis since you quoted me, I think missed my point. It doesn't matter whether the gift receiver is in Lithuania or the UK, it's the thought that counts as I said my friend appreciated what I sent as it was from me. I would have sent the same things if my friend had been in the UK or Canada.

Maple cookies are good to take. I haven't tried a maple lollipop yet but have a few. maybe you could take a few of them?

bvlenci

Marmite is excellent in soups and stews ...
You do know it is a German invention don't you?

Surreptitiously introduced to the UK in 1914?

sugarmaple

To turn it the other way around, I bring small locally made things home from travels for my family. In the past it has been pate, honey, salt or preserves.

Carry on made liquids impossible, so this year I picked up clotted cream fudge for everyone. If I could have transported the haggis potato chips, I would have done that too!

Point is, we have lots of different flavours of fudge here, as everywhere, but we strongly associate clotted cream with Britain, and I've never seen it here. Everyone loved it (or were polite and said they did)

I think Purdys is a good idea, as you know the turtles are great, but maple syrup pops, hard candy, fudge, cookies can't be beat. Maple butter is also pretty darn wonderful!

hetismij2

bvlenci .

It was invented (sort of - he found out how to concentrate yeast) by the same man who came up with Oxo cubes. Two seemingly very British things, but both invented by Justus von Liebig.
Who'da thunk it?

Marmite became Marmite (rather than just yeast extract) in 1902.

BigRuss

>poll which specific treats the UK doesn't have (for example, Smarties)>

Yes and no. The Smarties that are pseudo M&Ms are a UK candy. The fruit-ish flavored non-chocolate confections are a North American candy. And the Brits and Europeans are entirely too full of themselves when it comes to chocolate and beer - they think the only stuff Americans make is Hershey's and Budweiser. If they expanded their own horizons, they'd know better.

Jay_G

I think that only on Fodor's could a post that is literally about giving candy to a baby devolve into a pan-Atlantic slanging match.

If it wasn't so bizarre, you'd have to admire it.

Tulips

Honestly, unless you know the family really well, I wouldn't bring sweets for children. I know plenty of parents that wouldn't approve of sugary sweets for their kids, and in this day of food allergies you never know.

Me, I would appreciate a good maple syrup.
We are just back from the US, and the one food thing I bought is spice mixes from Williams Sonoma. Smoky bbq flavours, that kind of thing.

NewbE

Not bring candy to kids? OK, we are officially in cloud cuckoo moon bear land.

Jay G and spark, speaking of God's work, your digressions are gold in this thread.

NewbE

Bring carrots and kale. The kiddies are guaranteed to stay far away from you for the duration of your visit.

sparkchaser

Brits love their preserves, relishes, and chutneys, so local artisan versions of that should go over well. And gin.


Carry on made liquids impossible, so this year I picked up clotted cream fudge for everyone. If I could have transported the haggis potato chips, I would have done that too!

Next time, check the liquids.

Heimdall

After seeing the price of maple syrup on the Waitrose shelves the other day, I agree that would be a good gift to bring to the UK. Padded with bubble wrap and put in a sealed plastic bag, it shouldn't be a danger to the clothes in your checked luggage.