My 16 yr olf daughter will be off to Salamanca for a 2 week home stay and immersion school. She is traveling with a group from school, but will be staying in someone's house for 2 weeks. Do you have any suggestions on things to bring from the US or San Diego that might be a nice gift for the host family. I dont' think I will get info from the program that will help me either as far as the family is concerned.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

One thing that's always been a big hit for me has been a picture boo/coffee table-type book from the area I live in in the USA (DC - so it's pretty easy). Not the lightest thing to schlep on a trip, but always well appreciated.

I'm not much help on the gift, although I love StCirq's idea. We were in Salamanca for 2 weeks last summer and it was really nice. I hope your daughter has a good time.

Can I suggest that you get your daughter an international phone, so she can call home whenever she wants?

Several of the people at our language course stayed with host families where the situation was less than ideal. One was more like a boarding house, another where the next-door neighbors had a domestic abuse situation that scared the 17 year old girl from Holland, and a third where the host mother was mad that the student hadn't purchased the full meal plan with her so wouldn't let the student keep cheese to make a sandwich in her fridge. I don't want to scare you and none of the situations seemed harmful, but the kids had a hard time adjusting. If your daughter is travelling with a group, the home stays will probably be carefully screened.

(I'm in my 40's and I rented an apartment.)

My 16 yr old son recently spent 11 days with a family in Zaragoza for a similar exchange program through his school.

Gifts he gave the family:
- LA Philharmonic CDs
- Silver frame from Restoration Hardware
- LA Coffee table book
- Dodgers hat and Lakers t-shirt for student his age
- See's gourmet lollipops

Also ended up giving them his Spanish/English electronic dictionary, which he said was a big hit.

We hosted a group of Spanish students here last year and they all were obsessed with anything Polo - fragrance, t-shirts, etc. The first place they wanted to see in California was the Lauren store in Beverly Hills. They also liked surf wear or other surf shop items (billabong wallet, etc.) - good San Diego souvenirs.

From San Diego?? My son lives there! One or two Mexican Mariachi CD's might go over well. You can buy them in San Diego: you don't have to cross to Tijuana. Speaking of which: last year we went shopping in Tijuana and bought a couple of Hard Rock - Cafe Tijuana tank tops (among other stuff) in case your host family has youths into that kind of stuff.

crosscheck: Granted, it's not the Los Angeles philharmonic; more like music for the common man

Most Spaniards I know would not appreciate mariachi or Mexican music, but maybe it's a trend with the young.

The person who gave him electronic dictionary, POLO, etc. etc. must have been very well loved...even See's candy. Wow!

The coffee book from your area is the classic gift. Somehow linens like bath towels and sheet are popular. A couple of beach towels from San Diego or regular towels from wherever...of decent quality. Apparently, the good quality ones are most expensive. Problem, towels take up space going over, but give you room for your own things on the return.

International phone! This is more than you want to get into unless money and time is no problem.

Calling cards would be easier...probably best to purchase them there...unless someone else has suggestion on that.

Our daughter was in Spain for a year and purchased phone to use for that amount of time and then sell to another student coming in...but for 2 weeks? Calling card will do IMO>

We have had a Mobal intl. phone, which we use wherever we go in Europe - Calls are pricey, so it's best if you're not going to talk a lot, but want the security of being able to reach someone.

www.mobal.com

Purchased for $49 online, no minimum usage, calls charged directly to your credit card. Told our son to use just for emergencies.

Agree that most Spanish people probably wouldn't like mariachi music unless they are already fans of Mexico.

they LOVE brownies.
a couple ready mix deluxe brownie or muffin mixes will also go over well for a fun afternoon of baking.

andes mints

pepperidge farm cookies

xmas ornament from your city/state

special soaps

i love to bring back those little cocktail size paper napkins. there are so many cute designs in the USA, and here you can find them.. i just have fun with the american ones as they are different, of course.

i always advise my students to learn to make one special thing for the family. spinach salad, an oven chicken dish or something easy but a bit different that can be made from scratch with NO PACKAGE MIXES.. or a dessert.

she will love salamanca

I think that something original from your home town, whatever it is should be appreciated.
A nice book of photos of California is also easy and can be carried.

I am traveling to spain this summer, I am going with friends who also live in my hometown, what can I give as a gift to the host family?

When my son stayed with a family in Spain we bought for them a book with pictures of our state. My sol told me the family had quite a collection of books from different states! (they take in kids every summer). So apparently it's a popular gift.

Cooking makes me smile. And certainly not something that usually happens. But I had friends who had an exchange student from Spain. I wanted to cook them dinner one night and they were thrilled. Well until their kitchen and than their house burned down. They were good sports about it however. The dear young man was close to a nervous breakdown as you can imagine. But the family rented a house and the Spanish student continued to reside with them. But he did not do anymore cooking.

SBBROWNELL, a book with lots of photos of your area would be good I think. I have many books regarding various areas of Italy that friends have brought me. Or some kind of pottery made in your area perhaps? And all my Italian friends when here love to buy Polo bath towels to take home. Your daughter will have a delightful two weeks I am sure. And another thought. She could take the family out to dinner at their favorite restaurant one night. My friends in Italy always love that when I am with them.

You know now they have these little custome made hard bound books people are making from their own photos. You can make a custom thank you book of the trip and include some shots pre trip of your home town and the anticipation of going to Spain etc, and then of you with them saying cute things showing you guys together.Lastly an ennding saying how much you appreiate their hospitaliuty etc.
Send it to them afterwards of course, not expensive I hear.

When we travel and have meals with a host family, I find that they often enjoy a refrigerator magnet with an image from our home state (Texas). It's lightweight and easy to pack. I have also taken t-shirts, coffee mugs, and food items grown or made here (pecans, peach jam), but you must be aware of any import restrictions. I like the idea of a photo book of the trip, too.

I'm an old guy but have about 6 school homestays in Spain. As noted, the hometown coffee table book is popular but I am not sure one more would be that special. Of the gifts I had made, the one that seems the most fun is food the hosts may not be familiar with. I have taken grits, Old Bay, chili mixes, canned green chilis, tortillas, jambalaya mix, Cajun seasoning, crab boil,cornbread mix,etc. [Can you tell I am from the south?] I am a bit of a cook so I fix the dishes using what I have brought.

Not necessarily a gift, but hosts always are very interested in pictures of your family.