Coming to the UK to visit extended family;what kind of treats can we bring for the children that they can't get there?
May 22nd, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Coming to the UK to visit extended family;what kind of treats can we bring for the children that they can't get there?
Well, the title is pretty self-explanatory but I have read a few posts about not bringing chocolate. Do you have any suggestions? We have quite a few children, so I want to make it something relatively low in costs and easy to pack. The children's ages range from 3-18, so it will also have to be something that will apply to any age. Candy seems like the perfect choice, but what kind?
May 22nd, 2006, 07:52 AM
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I have found Keebler cookies in the UK, but never Mrs. Fields. You can get them at the store, or go get them at the stand in the mall (those go bad faster, though).
I have never seen Jolly Ranchers in the UK, and Jelly Belly jelly beans come in great gift boxes and neat flavors.
I have never seen a single Sour Ball in Europe and my host family always begs me to bring them.
I have never seen Jolly Ranchers in the UK, and Jelly Belly jelly beans come in great gift boxes and neat flavors.
I have never seen a single Sour Ball in Europe and my host family always begs me to bring them.
May 22nd, 2006, 07:57 AM
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laclaire, thanks for those great suggestions. I may very well go with the candy suggestions you provided because the England portion of our trip will come after Paris and Lisbon and I'm not sure how well the cookies will travel. I suppose I could put them into some sort of container so that they don't get crushed.
May 22nd, 2006, 08:04 AM
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Oh, Caroline, if only you knew. Sour balls are these sweet, sour, multi-flavored ball candies. They have a sort of hard shell, but the inside is a little gummy, and they are just delicious. I like Cherry, though Lime is right behind it. My host mom swears by grape.
Jolly Ranchers are a hard candy that comes in many flavors (Watermelon, Cherry, Sour Apple, Rasberry, Lemon, etc) and they are all really good (though I skip grape).
You know what else fascinates Europeans? Cinammon flavored things. Atomic Fire Balls are quite a novelty, and I love Big Red gum.
Jolly Ranchers are a hard candy that comes in many flavors (Watermelon, Cherry, Sour Apple, Rasberry, Lemon, etc) and they are all really good (though I skip grape).
You know what else fascinates Europeans? Cinammon flavored things. Atomic Fire Balls are quite a novelty, and I love Big Red gum.
May 22nd, 2006, 08:04 AM
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Ooh, Jolly Ranchers sound nice. Not sure about the Sour Balls though ! There is supposed to be a traditional boiled sweet in Scotland called Soor (i.e. Sour) Plums, but I've never had them. (I grew up in England.)
May 22nd, 2006, 08:15 AM
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i wouldn't worry too much about making sure they like the sweets...everyone has different tastes and there is no guarantee about anything, whether the recipient is american or british.
many american visitors go to britain and try some typical british treats like jaffa cakes and don't really get it. to them, they are just highly processed crap snacks. they are happy to try them however. everyone loves to try something that is a quintessential food of another country. how many times have i choked down turkish delight after someone in the office returns from holiday in turkey?
you could probably do better than sweets for gifts but if you want to bring some treats, go ahead and pack some 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.
many american visitors go to britain and try some typical british treats like jaffa cakes and don't really get it. to them, they are just highly processed crap snacks. they are happy to try them however. everyone loves to try something that is a quintessential food of another country. how many times have i choked down turkish delight after someone in the office returns from holiday in turkey?
you could probably do better than sweets for gifts but if you want to bring some treats, go ahead and pack some 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.
May 22nd, 2006, 09:17 AM
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I have just asked my daughter who spent a couple of weeks in Florida when she was 12, and her wish-list is...
Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops cereals
Mountain Dew drink
Jif peanut butter (I second this vote!)
ReeCes peanut butter cups
Super Sour sweets (these create so much fun amongst youngsters!)
Life Savers (but the jelly ones in the bag, not the hard ones in the tube)
Hope this may be of some help - if she thinks of anything else, or her brothers do (they went to Florida last year), I'll add to this post.
Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops cereals
Mountain Dew drink
Jif peanut butter (I second this vote!)
ReeCes peanut butter cups
Super Sour sweets (these create so much fun amongst youngsters!)
Life Savers (but the jelly ones in the bag, not the hard ones in the tube)
Hope this may be of some help - if she thinks of anything else, or her brothers do (they went to Florida last year), I'll add to this post.
May 22nd, 2006, 10:30 PM
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I'm addicted to the Jolly Rancher cinnamon ("fire"
candies, and I can't find them in England, so I always take them when I'm there. I've noticed that Brits don't know Tootsie Rolls or salt water taffy.
candies, and I can't find them in England, so I always take them when I'm there. I've noticed that Brits don't know Tootsie Rolls or salt water taffy.
May 22nd, 2006, 11:41 PM
#20
A work colleague brought back salt water taffy. I don't think one person in my workplace liked them. They became a bit of a running joke, People who made mistakes were "rewarded" with another piece of the taffy. Maybe it is an acquired taste.
