I changed the question. What ideas do you have for a hostess gift from California?

Hi Lureenje, I didn't see your other post. Where are you going and whom will you be buying a gift for?

just trying to figure out how this works. I'm going to visit parents of an instructor of mine. They are in their late 50s. Any ideas about what to bring from California. Wine is out.

Scharfenberger chocolat, Napa Valley honey mustard, Disneyland t-shirt, LA Dodgers ballcap, Coffeetable book, Pete's coffee. thereyet

Hi lureenje, I posted on your third thread addressed to me..

Laureenje: You sure are having a difficult time figuring this out

Don't worry - lots of folks take a while to get it straight.

But just to explain - you start a thread. Then folks answer it (or sometimes don't). Then if you want to respond or ask for more info, you open the thread and click "Post a reply to this message" Like you did this time.

Titles like "lovitaly" or "walkingaround" aren't ususally that productive (though they are both really helpful Fodorites) It is better to have titles that explain what you are looking because others might have good info for you too.

But the main thing is - it is better to dialog on the same thread instead of starting new ones over and ove.

Local tax on wine in Denmark is horrendous. So simply take Californian wine.

Do NOT take gimcrack souvenirs your host's children or neighbours bought the last three times they took a cheap holiday in California and have now thrown away.

If wine is out, then I would take some other local food produce - the Napa valley honey mustard sounds great! I know I would appreciate that if some one were to give it to me. Maybe there is something similar close to you wherever you are in Ca?

Our German friends love roasted nuts and Starbucks coffee. The nuts they have aren't as good and are very expensive.

Dear laureenje:

WE visited family in Spain last June. This was before the liquid bann so we brought wine. Plus we grow wine grapes, so this was a given. I also brought See's Candies. I got the peanut brittle in order to avoid a melting problem. Try to choose something from your area.

In the past, I have also sent at Xmas, packs of dried fruit & nuts: apricots, pears, peaches, almonds etc. These were greatly appreciated, especially in Northern Europe.

Good luck and please write a trip report.

MY

OP states that wine is out in the third post.

Where you going again?

(this is why it helps to give all the details in your first post... so you don't get lots of responses that are really questions!)

No wine. Cannot give wine.

Laureen...if you live in the LA area, just go to one of the wonderful local farmers' market set up weekly all ower the city or go the original permanent one at the Grove. Many of their items include non-perishable local goodies. Put them into a pretty container or gift bag and there you go.

My son is currently in Spain and brought the following for the family he's staying with:
- LA Philharmonic CD's
- See's gourmet lollipops
- Only in Los Angeles - photo coffee table book
- Silver frame from Restoration Hardware
- Lakers t-shirt/Dodgers cap for son