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-   -   Quintensential gifts from London? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/quintensential-gifts-from-london-626495/)

ilovetotravel29 Jun 26th, 2006 07:55 AM

Quintensential gifts from London?
 
I am sending a friend of mine something he wanted and I was able to find in the states. He wants to repay me, but I suggested him just sending me some things from London instead. Things that would always remind of me of my trips there.

Other than a British flag and a red phone booth souvenir, I can't think of what he should send me. I already have tons of tea, so that is not needed. And I am trying to avoid sweets.....I can't decide!

But the gifts need to be under 10 pounds. And no more than 2-3 pounds in weight.

Decisions...decisions...

Micheline Jun 26th, 2006 08:06 AM

When I'm in London I always pick up some neat mustards with Guiness or port. I get them at Tescos.

steviegene Jun 26th, 2006 08:12 AM

The english have hilariously flavored potato chips (they call them crisps). Pickle, Prawn and mayonnaise. Seriously. When in England we sent "joke" food baskets...full of oxtail soup, flavored crisps and especially disgusting TWIGLETS!

ira Jun 26th, 2006 08:13 AM

>Quintensential gifts from London?

A dictionary? :)

HP sauce?

((I))



ilovetotravel29 Jun 26th, 2006 08:14 AM

hardy har, har Ira

no, I don't need a dictionary. I just need to write more.


BTilke Jun 26th, 2006 08:17 AM

A Tube map mousepad? It comes in handy for trip planning.


degas Jun 26th, 2006 08:19 AM

Indian spices?

JoeTro Jun 26th, 2006 08:20 AM

What about something from Fortnum and Mason ... like jam? I love that store, and it always reminds me of London.

Trophywife007 Jun 26th, 2006 08:23 AM

Items with Liberty of London prints... they have toiletry bags, lipstick holders, address books, etc. covered in lovely silk print fabric.

tuscanlifeedit Jun 26th, 2006 08:26 AM

Unless you have a Lush store near where you live, how about some nice products (soaps) from Lush?

janisj Jun 26th, 2006 02:29 PM

Anything w/ &quot;<b>mind the gap</b>&quot; on it -- T-shirt, tea towels, mouse pad, coffee mug, tea pot, umbrella, tote bag, etc. I've seen Mind the Gap on all those things and more.

fishee Jun 26th, 2006 02:31 PM

empty wallet?

starrsville Jun 26th, 2006 02:41 PM

We collected tea towels on our trip to the UK and enjoy using them in the kitchen. I'm reminded of the trip every time I use one.

Inexpensive to buy and ship.

Tea = quintensential London

seetheworld Jun 26th, 2006 02:46 PM

My vote is for anything with &quot;Mind the Gap&quot; on it.

Twiglets are the absolute most disgusting thing EVER invented!!! One of my sons just loves them, however. Yuck! :D

FauxSteMarie Jun 26th, 2006 02:50 PM

Little wellie boot soaps from National Trust properties. They are sold in all the gift shops for NT properties.

If you visit Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace tea towels and tea bags.

Carrybean Jun 26th, 2006 02:51 PM

There was quite a flap last month when I was in London. Seems HP sauce will now be manufactured in Amsterdam.

I'm a fan of the mustards, too. Too bad you're off sweets or he could bring Smarties. I have a friend I always have to bring mushy peas. /:-)
Others want the latest issues of Hello magazine &amp; the Daily Mail for gossip.

Were there any items you liked from Boots? I buy lots in there. Or how about a nice cup &amp; saucer from the china shops?


walkinaround Jun 26th, 2006 03:19 PM

the gentleman's relish from fortum and mason.

nancy Jun 26th, 2006 07:37 PM

I love something from Harrod's even if I have to buy it at the airport. It's a reminder of London. I have tea towels, a small bear, and a couple of oven mitts plus a key chain. But, I do like the idea of a &quot;mind the gap&quot; item altho' I never saw those.

PatrickLondon Jun 27th, 2006 02:38 AM

The London Transport Museum shop is still open in Covent Garden and sells all sorts of things &quot;branded&quot; with the Tube map and London Transport signs as well as old LT posters. A lot can be bought online as well, mind:
http://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/

progol Jun 27th, 2006 02:52 AM

Tea in teabags. The basic, run-of-the-mill stuff is far more flavorful than the typical Lipton brand. That says British to me far more than a tchotchke would! Of course, I would also add dark chocolate digestive buiscuits, but you said you're off sweets.
Paule


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