eliztravels2

You have to be careful about any food item as most countries have regulations banning most fresh items and some processed ones. I'd be very surprised if you could get corn on the cob past customs anywhere.

I'm surprised that some posters are discouraging you from taking maple syrup. We always take several cans when we visit our daughter in Australia, and give it to her friends and neighbours who welcome and entertain us. They love it, (and love us as a result).

For the adults, I think a quality item that is representative of your local area is a good choice. There must be some fabulous museum gift shops in Washington as a good place to start. An art calendar, set of coasters, especially nice mugs are usually easy to find. And if your friends have ever spent time in the US, or even if they haven't, I would ask if there is something they can't get at home they would like you to bring. I always take a certain lipstick to my daughter's mother in law in Oz, who has liked it ever since her visit to Canada years ago.

sparkchaser

I wasn't saying bring your own corn. They sell the stuff in Spain, you know.

IMDonehere

Our relatives who live on a farm and they make fun of us for eating corn, because that is what they feed the pigs.

sparkchaser

Weird. I was in Spain last week and someone was selling corn on a cob on a stick. And people were buying it.

IMDonehere

Could be the difference between country and city living or the generations. I was shocked when our young cousins had Sangria. For years it was swill with fruit and later a drink only consumed by tourists.

lincasanova

Australians probably eat pancakes or french toast. Spaniards were introduced to pancakes years ago but with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.. but some are crazy about a maple syrup diet and it IS quite expensive here.

sparkchaser

Spain is also a very large country so different attitudes towards food does not surprise me in the least.

Nikki

I like bringing house gifts that are handcrafted in my area, whether I am visiting in the US or abroad.

bvlenci

If you're visiting friends whom you know well, you probably have some idea of their interests, and could think of something that would please them. Otherwise, some craft item from your town, or a photo book of the area where you live, or a local-themed calendar, are not bad ideas. For the kids, rather than a baseball hat, I would suggest a t-shirt or sweatshirt of a university near where you live.

I think food is too much a matter of personal taste, unless you know what they like, and if your friends live in a large city, there's almost nothing in the food line they can't get there.

FrankS

The lady we rent a home from always wants **TOWELS**

The big fluffy ones

BigRuss

Don't bring R--skins ballcaps, bring Washington Nationals.

Better yet, DC United jerseys because you're talking about kids in a country that is completely mad for soccer.

P.S. - Forget the name issue, the R--skins are the football equivalent of the Boston Red Sox - historically the most racist franchise in the NFL.

https://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0305/1346021.html

ribeirasacra

Towels can be purchased from Portugal.
So called sweet corn is also only grown for the pigs here in Galicia.
Basket ball is quite big here. Second to football (sorry some say soccer. Maybe a genuine ball or hoop from the local team. But then maybe the children prefer xbox. And Like I said we can get most things in Spain!
As far as honey is concerned we also have that for sale here. If they want home produced they more than likely can purchase that at the local market if they dont have family whose bees make it.

ribeirasacra

Like I said trinkets are dead, so how about taking them for a slap up meal at an expensive local restaurant.

Bedar

Ask if they need a new computer - much cheaper here, I believe. Otherwise, Ribeira's suggestion of a nice dinner is good. No one needs trinkets or crappy caps or T-shirts. Those days are long gone. And, as was said, foodstuffs are better in Spain - Spanish honey is just fabulous.

sparkchaser

Ask if they need a new computer - much cheaper here, I believe.

Just watch the region on the DVD.

rialtogrl

I think a bottle of Monticello wine would be a nice gift.

The two food items I have brought over with the most success (besides wine) are peanut brittle and Cholula hot sauce. The above suggestion about the museum stores in DC is an excellent one - they have great museum stores, with items for the whole family.

rgnovvv

We have friends in Madrid with 3 children age 9 ,12, &15. I bring them or send them items from Cherry Republic ( we live in Michigan they have all sorts of dried cherry products. Chocolate covered cherries, cherry jam, trail mix with cherries., etc. This is always a big hit. It is easy to pack. Please note, You are not allowed to bring or send food items into Spain from the US.
Hope this helps.

lincasanova

No food items? what do you mean? Fresh foods?

sparkchaser

Please note, You are not allowed to bring or send food items into Spain from the US.

False.