Gift(s) for European Hosts--HELP!
 

Here's a questions I haven't seen on this message board: What can I bring from the U.S. to give my Norwegian relatives who will be hosting us for a few days? Seems that it's ludicrous to bring glassware, etc., to someone in a country known for such items, and I'm really at a loss. I can think of nothing that represents the U.S. other than Levi jeans--not a great gift for a 60 yr. old cousin! Based on other posts, I plan to bring a bottle of liquor (it's expensive to buy in Norway), but I'd like your suggestions about something a little more long lasting.

Thanks!

I'm drawing a blank for anything right now, except for some small and inexpensive things:
..little collector pins - you can get ones with your state's shape, etc.
..fridge magnets with pictures relating to your state

I'll be following this thread to get some ideas.

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34797898

or consider Bourbon balls, from Kentucky.

Or, as you propose... just Bourbon. Woodford Reserve? or Knob Creek?

Best wishes,

Rex

Some USA food staples are not available in Europe. Baker's chocolate, Nestle's chocolate chips, Italian Expresso coffee beans. Jello instant pie fillings. Canned pumkin. Costco sized spice/herbs. Paper plates. Your airplane in-flight sales probably offers, Jack Daniels.

Two points:

- in a globalised world, and when your European hosts are likely to have travelled a great deal more than you anyway, what's the point of bringing something "American"? If it's something Norwegians like, it'll be on sale there: if it's not on sale there, chances are it's a quirky American fad (like maple syrup or marshmallows) the rest of the world really can't see the point of. Simply take whatever you'd take to friends you're staying with 50 miles away.
2. However, in addition to the trinket, it's general etiquette in Scandinavia for ALL foreign visitors to bring the maximum duty-free hard liquor allowance (1 litre), preferably of a liquor your hosts actually like. It's perfectly acceptable (indeed mandatory) for this to be gin or scotch, rather than bourbon or rye, if that's your hosts' preference

Small Shaker-style boxes regularly show up in European interior design magazines; they're useful and have a timeless style, as with most things Shaker. Bring a high quality, made in U.S. one, not an import knock-off. If you were from Oregon, I'd suggest something small and beautifully made from myrtlewood from the coast near Bandon, which IS hard to find elsewhere. If you're in Vermont, I'd suggest you go down to Frog Hollow, they have fabulous things there that you can NOT get easily in Europe.
It's time for CS to let go of his obsession with maple syrup (which has been around for generations, so it's hardly a "quirky fad" and is as popular in Canada as it is in the U.S.), this is at least the third time he's brought it up recently, must be a fetish or phobia, who can tell.

"Paper plates. "

Pleeeaaase, no. What makes you think there are no paper plates or Italian espresso coffee beans in Norway? There is also maple syrup in the supermarkets.

CotswoldScoucer, BTilke and Rex all have a point. Alcohol is expensive in Norway, so get a bottle of brandy or whisky, plus a bouquet of flowers from the nearest florist to the woman of the house. The Shaker box would also be appreciated. They are high class handiwork, and very much "in fashion".

am I missing something here...paper plates?

Anyway, what's wrong with maple syrup and marshmallows CS, it's not just Americans that eat them, yummmmmmmm.

I'd go for the booze and a little touristy trinket from your home town (fridge magnet or something) as everything else is too effected by personal taste and can be bought by them anyway if they really want one. Our relatives from australia came over with a bunch of little grippy koala bears and handed them out liberally on their visit, and it was fun, low cost and not something you feel obliged to clutter up your house with if you don't like it.

Agree with the above - liquor is very expensive in Norway, so bring 1 litre per person from duty free. Bombay Sapphire gin is my favorite :-)

And maple syrup from Canada is widely available in Europe - both the organic and regular versions. It is popular (it's replaced Golden Syrup on pancakes in my house), but not difficult to find here.

But paper plates and jello instant pie fillings? Nooooo.....

I like the Shaker boxes idea.

Jello instant pie fillings. Canned pumkin.

There are reasons why we don't have everything that is available in America. These sound disgusting.

Just because it may not be available doesn't mean they want it (jello and paper plates)!

I would go with liquor as everyone has suggested, plus trinkets from your home town, a small photo wall calendar, key chain, cigarette lighters, frig magnets with city/state name/logo. And if there are other local food specialties like nuts or dried fruit, maple syrup, berry jam... in small amounts.

I like the Shaker wooden decorative box idea too.

It is interestng people like the Shaker box idea - perhaps becuase people are thinking "I'd like one of those" - To me that is the key - what would YOU like to receive? I know that I would not be interested in fridge magets or other tourist tat, but would love to receive something handcrafted that woudl last - such as a shaker box

Hi P,

My great uncle told me that when he was in Europe as a young man that cigarettes for the men, chocolate for the chldren and nylons for the women were greatly appreciated.

((I))

I just answered a similar question posted by brown_jug (you might find some good ideas there, too) and suggested ball caps of your favorite american sports teams or your alma mater for any young people. They pack easily and are a real novelty and "American".

Books !!! Books with photographies related to the place where you live :)
We are travellers..aren't we ? ;)

Combine a Shaker box AND a book about Shakers. That would give extra value to the box, knowing what kind of people make those simple but stylish objects. And Shakers ARE definitely American.

I mean, not necessarily every European even knows that they exist, let alone how they live. And you have to admit their life style is very peculiar. A book would explain.

For example when I first saw Shakers and heard about their way of life, I thought that Oh My God, How Can It Be True!!!???

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your taking the time to post your ideas (even the pragmatic ones like paper plates & canned pumpkin). It's hard to come up with anything truly American that isn't a little--shall we say--tacky or cheap, isn't it?! I love the idea of the shaker boxes and will begin an Internet search for them and perhaps a book about them.

Keep those ideas coming!

Actually, I find many things that are "truly American" to be of wonderfully high quality. You can find cheap, tatty American souvenirs, but you can also find cheap tatty souvenirs from just about every country that sees a fair number of tourists.
Google these for some ideas (all three have web sites):
The Real Mother Goose (Portland, OR)
Earthenworks Gallery
Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center

all of them sell wonderful things designed and made in America by wonderfully creative and talented American artisans.

Then, of course, there are the many small artisanal manufacturers of soaps, creams, kitchen products, etc. like Purple Haze Lavender (my personal favorite www.purplehazelavender.com ) found across the U.S.

We're going to Lithuania this summer, and I am bringing food gifts. My son had lived there and there are typically American foods that aren't sold there but are really enjoyed and appreciated. Obviously, Norway may be different, but I think some of these same ideas may apply. Here are some ideas: Our brown sugar and chocolate chips with a recipe for chocolate chip cookies included. You may even want to make a batch for them while you're there. I'll actually be bringing the large 4 pound bag of sugar from Costco because this has been the #1 requested item every time someone has gone to visit them. Unique hot sauces from the southwest of the US. Or, even a bottle of Frank's sauce. Cajun/creole type rice and bean mixes from the New Orleans area. Spicy barbecue sauce. Real wild rice with a few recipes. When my daughter studied in Vienna and we went to visit, her landlord asked us to bring a giant size jar of peanut butter because, while available there, it is very expensive in Europe.

Food isn't long-lasting, but assuming your host reads English, you could include a cookbook of regional American favorites.

Thought I post an update on my gift dilemna. I loved BTilke's idea about the Shaker boxes and elina's idea about pairing the boxes with a book. I went on-line and purchased a set of 3 Shaker boxes from Shaker Workshops in Massachusetts (not cheap but beautiful) and a book, "Shaker Life, Work & Art" from Amazon. Both arrived w/in 5 days and they are going to make an absolutely wonderful gift that I know my cousin will pass down to her daughter. Thank you--I would have never thought of this on my own!

Here is an idea for something that is beautiful, long-lasting and very American. A Revere bowl.

Designed by Paul Revere, they say, and it comes in silver, silver-plate, or pewter, so it fits various budgets.

For booze, bring a bottle of good quality vodka. There are two types-get the high-test vodka with the most alchool. Trust me, this will be very appreciated.

For a more substance gift, bring something art. I don't know about the Shaker boxes but maybe this would be appropriate. I brought some eskimo art-a small bird made from branches. One time I brought some soap-stone figurines. If you live in the SouthWest, get something nice from the Navajo art.

Scandinavians have usually well decorated in their homes. Don't bring tacky gifts. Think nature for a gift, this is something which will mix into a Scandinavian home.

In my opinion, gold, silver and other precious metals are not appropriate.

Blackduff

Glad that worked out! I have seen some Shaker boxes for sale at home design stores in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria, and the high quality ones were quite expensive.
The accompanying book is a good idea. We've only been to visit one Shaker center (in New Hampshire) but it was fascinating.

>>My great uncle told me that when he was in Europe as a young man that cigarettes for the men, chocolate for the chldren and nylons for the women were greatly appreciated.<<

Geez ira, I bet you fell off your dinosaur the first time your great uncle told you that story.

If you do bring any alcohol along with the great Shaker boxes, don't make it tooo high octane or they won't let you on the plane with it. Too flammable.

How about a really nice pen/pencil set made by an American manufacturer? I bought one for some French friends and they really liked it. It's also very easy to carry. A beautiful book of one of the National Parks or the city in which you live is nice, too. Also, easy to pack, though heavier. If they like to cook, perhaps a cookbook with American recipes. I often get requests for the cookbooks. I usually give a set of measuring spoons and cups with that gift. It saves converting. I'm sure whatever you decide will be enjoyed.

Shaker boxes are such great design and interestingly they go beautifully (IMHO) with the lines of most Scandinavian interior design I have seen. I actually like the Revere bowl idea (as a nice "American" gift, but have no idea if it's "appropriate" as someone stated that gold/silver were not. And Pewter is problematic if used for food, right? Pen/pencil set actually sounds nice too--not that it's not available in Europe but it's a fairly neutral and always useful gift.

For some college students in Scotland (nieces of our neighbor) we got t-shirts with the logo of the university where I work. (On a previous trip they had brought our lads Scotland t-shirts).

We went to Italy 5 years ago and wanted to bring my cousins gifts that were truly American. We found a shop in a nearby town that had Native American Jewelry and other gift items. We bought the women turquoise necklaces, bracelets and earrings and we found interesting key chains for the men. For some of the men, we also bought letter openers from the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum catalogue. (they probably have a website) Be careful not to pack the letter openers in your carry on.
I love the idea of the shaker box. We are going again this June and I needed an idea for some of my cousins.

Take them out for dinner. That's always a nice present that everyone loves.

I agree that taking your host to dinner is always appreciated.

amf, I was interested in your letter opener idea as this is what I did one trip to Italy. The makers of my sterling silver flatwear produce letter openers in the pattern that I have owned "forever". I purchased the sterling silver letter openers for gifts to give to friends in Italy. And for the few that didn't know I explained it was the same as my sterling pattern. Everyone seemed very pleased with them.

Letter openers are certainly easy to pack. Except I agree that one could not put them in their carryon (I took all of mine to Italy early summer of 2001) so I don't know if they would get stolen if they were in one's checkin luggage. That would be a worry.

patth, do you have any photographs of relative and/or ancestors that you and your Norweigian relatives "share". If so what would you think of having copies made and bringing those to them?

Jack Daniels....

Muck

LoveItaly--Great idea about the photos...maybe next time. I currently have more than $100 invested in Shaker Boxes & a book ;) P.S. This Norwegian also loves Italy and is afraid that this trip will never measure up to our trip to Italy last summer.

Hi patth, I bet you will enjoy Norway. I say that as my stepgrandson visited Norway and although Italy is their favorite country I can tell you he raved about the time they spent in Norway. I hope after you get back home and get rested you can give us a trip report. Visiting a country where you have relatives or close friends is so special. My best wishes to you!

OK, I have the "American" gift solved; now I have a vodka question. Should I purchase vodka for my hosts while I'm in St. Petersburg or in the ship's duty-free shop? I know nothing about brands and prices, and don't want to be ripped off, so I need a little advice (don't have a clue what a good litre of vodka should cost). Can anyone suggest a brand and/or tips for purchasing? Cheers!

I had the same question recently for my daughter's host family in Florence. I decided on a nambe wine server, because I wanted something hand-made in the southwest of the United States, but also something classy and 'artistic'.

Nambe has won several modern art awards and it made the perfect gift to a family who serves wine at each meal. They seemed to really like it. And coincidentally, two members of the family had spent three-weeks touring the American West last year, and we spent time after dinner poring over their gorgeous pictures. We decided that the wide open spaces of the American West really made a good contrast to their home in Italy.

I was able to go to the Nambe website, copy their History of Nambe, and the Care and Use sections, then used another website to translate that copy into Italian. I printed it out on pretty paper, with a picture of their wine server at the top. They seemed to really appreciate the extra effort to present the information to them in Italian. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at their home, and they proudly used the wine server at dinner, then set it on the mantel afterwards. I was really glad I'd brought it for them.

Patth
Most of the time I bought vodka, I bought the Schmirnoff (sp??)which is either Canadian or American. I would always bring the blue label. One is a red label and the blue one has a higher alcohol. One is 80 proof and the other is 100 proof. The bottles with 40% is the same as 80 proof.

Most of the time I bought the bottles in the duty free shops.

I currently have Finnish vodka called Finlandia. This is 40% and it's quite nice.

I was passing into Sweden each ten days to two weeks. I stopped at the duty shops always on the way home. I usually asked the Scandinavians what they want and most of them wanted the vodka.

Although Absolut Vodka comes from Sweden, it's not that popular. It received it's fame came from an American advertisment. Absolut dumped this agency and their sales dropped. Funny story.

The higher alcohol rate is needed since often the vodka bottle is put into the freezer. It doesn't freeze but it's very cold when it's served.

Blackduff

OK, I know that you have the gift picked out, but I thought you'd all like this story.

A few years ago we were traveling to Spain to spend some time with a friend that had moved back to Europe after living in the US for years. We knew her mother from her trips to the US to visit her daughter. Since it was summer, we were invited to stay at the mother's summer villa at the beach. Naturally we asked what we could bring. The surprising answer was a box of the extra long Aluminum foil. Apparently they only had the regular size in Spain and her mother was constantly complaining about it. So, we packed about 5 boxes. We felt like idiots, but they were a huge hit.

altajoe, that is an amusing story! A couple of my Italian friends always love to receive Betty Crocker cake mixes, lol. Why I have never understood but it is fun to have something we take for granted receive such enthusiam.

patth
There's something which hasn't mentioned but if you're bringing these gifts, you probably will be invited for a meal.

If you do, make sure you arrive with flowers in your hand. The flowers are for the woman and the bottle is usually for the man.

The next thing to remember. If you're sitting on one side of the hostess, there's a chance that you'll be asked to make a thanks for the meal. Okay, maybe it's quick to say "Thanks" but more is needed. You're going to think about a good story which would be suitable. Not too long, not to short, and cetainly not dirty.

I can't remember the sitting place but normally it's alongside of the hostess. Give a story before you go to the meal. It's a special part of Scandinavian life.

Blackduff

That's interesting, Blackduff.

It used to be that friends in the UK always had me bring zip-lock bags for them. They may be available there now, though.