caroline_edinburgh

walkinaround: "oreos, hershey, reece's or something like that. these things are generally only available at very high cost in the american corner of gourmet markets in places like chelsea or hamstead." These are all available in the Margiotta chain of corner shops throughout Edinburgh, so I daresay they are generally more available here than you think.

walkinaround

caroline...perhaps scotland is more american than england...i have never seen them in england except in the capacity that i described.

laclaire

I got on the phone with my host sister who has enjoyed treats from me for about 8 years now. She says:

the aforementioned candy
t-shirt that they see on TV (brands that aren't available over there. . . abercrombie)
information on the kids' fave pop star (I used to inundate her with eminem stuff and she lovd it)
Book about where you live with nice pictures.

those are pretty general, but I agree with her. Such a smart young woman, my host sister!

ashields

I always get a lot of requests to bring JIF peanut butter, Oreos, american marshmallows, and Butterfinger candy bars. I agree that Jolly Ranchers and Big Red would also make good gifts, my flatmates loved Big Red when I brough some over for them.

TallyAnna

I'm from Florida and we took squeaky plastic alligators to our youngest cousins in England. Mum and Dad say that we can depend on a payback for that one! I also took bubble gum, shaped like tiny oranges. Just before I handed that out, I heard their Mum say that they had never had bubble gum before and she was glad they didn't know about it. She had no idea that I had some! So, especially where junk food is concerned, check it out with the parents!

hanl

When I was a kid and went over to the US on various occasions, the things I loved to bring home for myself and my school friends were: hot chocolate mix with mini marshmallows already in it, Fruit Roll-ups, Jolly Ranchers and (bizarrely) winter green Lifesavers. Oh, and Kool-Aid (just tastes like the US to me).
We often had visits from American friends of my parents and I appreciated receiving cool T-shirts, stickers and baseball shirts.

inessa0923

When I go back to Chicago, my colleagues always ask me to bring back gummy bears. You can get them here, but they all INSIST that the American ones are better. Also, for teenagers, the Abercrombie & Fitch idea is a good one, I've even had adults here ask me for A&F stuff. Truth is, however, that almost anything I can get in Chicago I can get here.

laclaire

A reminder from my dear little host sister (my translation): "Please bring us Indian stuff (my dad is Cherokee). I want a beaded pouch and mom wants more mocassins. And sour balls. . . and nut toffee. . .(hesitates on this one). . . are iPods very expensive over there?"

OK, so they get the Indian stuff and the candy, but I think an iPod is a little much. . . or is it?

PatrickLondon

An IPod??!!! Call me Mr Growser, but I should say it's too much for all but the closest family and the biggest event.

Golden rule: don't risk putting the parents in a competition.

If children have learnt that if you don't ask, you don't get, they also need to learn that asking doesn't always get.

wvmom

I have a friend in England that's crazy for Oreos. He stocks up on them any time he's over here, and anyone visiting from the States is required to bring along a pack. Some friends in Australia have requested Triscuit crackers.

BTilke

If your friend is that crazy about Oreos, tell him he can get them at Coffee Republic. Sold in small packets, ridiculously overpriced, but they do have them.

kybourbon

laclaire - The Ipod Shuffle is $69. I think the next smallest size, Ipod Nano, is $199.

laclaire

iPod update- my parents also wanted to get the host family gifts, so lil'sis is getting a black nano with her name engraved on it.

Host mom gets a scarf and decorative bookends.

Host dad is getting an external harddrive with software (I know he needs it).

Brother is getting a pair of Vans (his favorite).

And that, people, is all the space in my suitcase for gifts.

PalQ

For non-Vegan kids: Beef jerkey - not available anywhere in UK i believe - used to send to my French son and it was a hit with him and his friends.

enrique

Bring things "typical" from your town - I would avoid the candy. I am from Texas, so I bring cowboy stuff for th e little ones.

CityOfRefuge

My good friend lives in the UK. For her kids I send peanut butter & marshmallow fluff. Zip lock baggies (can't get them there) for the parents for school lunches. The fancy "Jelly Belly" gourmet jelly beans (the big container) that Costco frequently sells for cheap as they are very expensive in UK. Graham crackers for making "smores" which you could show them yourselves as that is strickly an American summer pastime. (Can't get graham crackers either) Pop rocks candy is usually a big hit. Barbie dolls are cheap here (wallmart/Target)-they are outrageously expensive in UK! Those awful "Furby" talking critters were the rage last X-Mas & at least 3-4 time the cost!I could go on & on....