We will be visiting with some Hungarians and would like to bring a gift from the US.

Any ideas of what they might like that might be a little difficult to get in Hungary/Budapest?

I "heard" that DVDs don't play in European standards...wonder if thats true.

An example: a few years ago, a woman in Rome asked me to bring her some Juicy Fruit gum...that was surely simple and inexpensive!

Thanks so much. Taylor

Anything available in the US is available in Budapest, so besides gifts that reflect where you live (picture books, etc) or things that you would give to anyone (perfume, alcohol-maybe Bourbon?) I would ask, just like your Roman friends did.

Whenever I go to eastern Europe I always bring a few bottles of Jack Daniels for gifts, as there is a unique American quality about it (bourbon is only produced in the US) and, although it is available overseas, still has some cache about it.

I always ask what they'd like. My New England Maple Syrop, was not a hit so after that year, I asked. The winner was Chevas Regal.

Yes, DVDs are on different standards.

But why are you asking us, when you could ask the folks in Budapest? Would you have EVER guessed Juicy Fruit gum for the woman in Rome, unless you asked/ or she asked?

When dealing with people overseas (who cannot return your gifts, and who may really crave something they can't get from the US) I cannot imagine that you'll get a better idea from a bulletin board than you would from them.

If you ask them, and they say "nothing" or "anything"...then ask strangers for their ideas.

I have so often gotten surprising responses when I ask this question "I'd like to bring you a small gift from the US...if there anything you would particularly like or can you give me some ideas? I would really like to bring something that you would like."

Just ask! You will get to know the people/person better too!

Hi tmt,

Are these Hungarians friends? If so, it is not impolite to ask what they might like.

"We would like to bring you a small souvenir. Is there something special you would like."

We have Danish friends who asked us to bring pecans, as they were very expensive in Denmark and she wanted to make pecan pie for Xmas.

PS,

I'll bet they can't get "Old Bay Seasoning".

Hi

Thanks for all your thoughts.

We do not know these folks, and have yet to meet or speak with them.

I have thought about Maple Syrup (I'm from New England too) Interesting about the Pecans; some spiced ones are delicious. "Old Bay Seasoning"...I think I should try that myself sometime.

I think I should stay away from the Boston Baked Beans! I wonder if some hard Vermont cheddar cheese would make the trip? or make it through customs.

Thanks for your ideas.

Taylor

I live in Hungary (but I'm in the States for a few months) and here's what's on my list of stuff people want me to bring back:

Maple syrup
Ziplock bags
Jelly Belly jelly beans

The last two items aren't really the most giftworthy things, though. Hm. Maybe you should stick to maple syrup and bourbon.


JVM

I'm Hungarian (living in Canada), and here are my picks:

maple syrup
cranberry products
blueberry products
a nice coffee-table book about your state or country (the more pictures the better)
American wine - can be berry wine too
playing cards used in Las Vegas
cd-s by American artists
calendars
US coins / lucky pennies

I'll let you know if I think of anything else.

I lived in Hungary - am a US citizen and my brother's wife is Hungarian and often returns home - depends on the age - younger folks love cd's they are a bit expensive for the average Hungarian kid. Adults - fine wines, cooking products or devices are great, if you are going for a meal I always brought flowers and some lovely chocolates for after dinner. If it's a gift from home to represent the US I would usually get some lovely spices or dry rubs -they are really good cooks but the quality of the local meats can be a bit low and spices are great ideas.

Depending on age and level of formality, these may be good options too:

magazines about whatever their interests are
National Geographics
car-related stuff (i.e. Chevy, Harley) if they are interested in it
licence plate (a friend of ours found a licence plate on the road when she visited us and was extatic about it)
those plastic glasses that are duble-walled and filled with water so that you can freeze them before using
sport clothes and equipment
US antique pieces (obviously not furniture but small stuff)

When I lived in Hungary, CA wines were not available. We had to drive to Vienna to get some.

The other thing that many Eastern (Central if you would like to be more precise!) Europeans like are our cake mixes and frostings. The quality of the ones in Europe are extremely low and the Us ones can be very expensive. So, if they like to bake, prepare a basket with some mixes, cupcake tins, recipes for muffins, frostings and cupcake liners. I brought that back for our dog sitter and she loved it!

You have gotten some other good suggestions however.

Cheers,
Jan

You hit it right on the head lindilindi. My family and friends in Hungary always ask me to bring Maple syrup and anything to do with cranberries. And the younger folks want magazines and music C D's. They have every seasoning you can think of. I buy this seasoning there called sertessult fuszerso' With a ' over the e in the first word and an '' over both u 's. It's like an Adobo the spanish seasoning. I wish I could use the Hungarain alphabet on this pc. For the most part Hungarians are very funny to new things it seems. Money is a great help to them! You don't have to give them much to much them happy either. Things are hard for them so it would be a great help to them. I have the hardest time trying to get my family to to let me take them out for dinner. They swear you'll get deadly sick!! Which is not true at all. Enjoy your vacation tmt. I wish I was going with you. But I have to wait until May 2005. Alizka

Just go to the big market which is located in a beautiful building near the Danube. If you don't find it there. it doesn't exist in Hungary. Go to both floors.