I'll be visiting some 50+ year old family members in the Sligo country side. If I ask them what they would like me to bring, they won't tell me....so thought I'd ask you.

A number of years ago when I went to Italy, someone asked me to bring items that she couldn't get there in Rome -- Crest toothpaste, Juicy Fruit gum, brownie mix. I also don't think they had zip lock bags. I would never have thought of these items, and easy enough to get and bring with me.

tmt,

Ireland has everything we have here in the States, if not more. You might consider something from your area or hometown.

Good Luck, Joan

Except for strictly regional items (I remember someone searching unsuccessfully for Mountian Dew) you can get anthing you want in Ireland.

I agree to do something from you part of the country - either interesting coffee table book or some unique art or craft work.

The last time anyone visited from the US they brought me one cup coffee bags; maybe they do have them here.. the name escapes me....YOU know the ones I mean!Loved them..... Any food items..... most have a house full of craft souvenirs and books etc...Is it Folgers?

If they are over 50, they may well make proper cakes from scratch and make proper coffee. I can't see them chewing gum either.
Why not wait until you get there and buy them something nice in Ireland, or take them out for a nice meal.

I seem to remember that you can get very nice stationary in the US.
We old'uns still sometimes write letters ;-)

Irish people, particularly those over 50, are more likely to drink tea than coffee. Those over-50s who drink coffee are more likely to use instant coffee. In other words, if you don't know their tastes, coffee is a bad bet.

I can't think of anything that speaks of America that is not available in Ireland. I like the idea of taking them out for a meal.

Hmmm. I am over 50 and I never drink tea....I use ground coffee often. Loved the Folgers....

But I love anything unusual like that....Varieties of chocolate/sweets etc that we cannot get here..one brought local maple syrup..Anything that is not made here; of course we live out in the boonies here....not in a great cosmopolitan city. Also we are very easily pleased....

Sligo isn't a huge metropolis either... Nice town but...

And whatever you bring they will love...

Thanks everyone.

The family is elderly and doesn't get out much. We'll be taking them out to dinner as much as we can - so as to spend as much time with them as we can and be a tourist at the same time.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll be able to get to a big store in Sligo town and buy something they might need after I've been to the house for the first time.

A friend just told me that folks from the US used to bring over thick towels and nice sheets. I never thought of that and might take that anyway.

I also read Levi Jeans and Ralph Lauren clothing where well over $100 - and I can get them at the outlet for cheap!

As for the sheets...When my husband and I flew to Ireland 25 years ago, the woman next to me on the plane was very excited to be taking sheets back. She said she couldn't get fitted sheets in Ireland. But I seriously doubt that's still the case. Seems to me most B&Bs we've stayed in our last two trips have had fitted sheets.

So that may be why you were told people used to take sheets and towels. By the way, there were nice fluffy towels in my daughter's house and I'm guessing they were bought in Ireland.

Remember, those are things that would take up a lot of room in your suitcase.

Just remembered that the sheets on my daughter's bed are fitted. And I know they were bought in Ireland!

Yes, indeed, we can buy fitted sheets here, and any kind of towels you like. Things have come on a bit in Ireland in the past 25 years!

tmt, I suppose what you say about Levi Jeans and Ralph Lauren clothing may be true (I can't say for sure because I have a high resistance to buying garments where the label seems to matter more than the item) but I don't know if that helps you greatly with elderly relatives who don't get out much.

If you want to place a premium on family contact, it might be worth looking into their tourism experience. They might not have been to some places that you would enjoy visiting, and might be happy to accompany you. Or they might have been there, and be happy to guide you.

I would say do not bring anything like sheets or towels. It is something I would only do for someone I knew well and knew they wanted it. It could be insulting as we have all those items here. Chocolates (Maybe buy them here as American Choc is not as good as over here). People do not expect a grand gestuire. If they are older and do not get out much your company will be appreciated. Anothyer safe bet is something small from where you live and buy a nice cake for the house when you aRRIVE. My mother alwatys buys the best cake or tart she can find and its a nice treat for all. If you fo over the toip it can be embarassing for them. I.E. if you bring sheets they may tyink you will not feel theirs are good enough and brought them to use for you...ok I know its mad but my relations might see it that way. keep it simple its the thought that counts. Flowers are lovely too!

I was thinking flowers, too...Thank you for this thread; it has brought back so many happy memories of visitors from afar over the years. Many no longer around now of course. Always gifts of any kind so cherished.... Just that they thought enough to bring them. Thank you and all blessings