Hello all. I hope this question isn't too strange to post, but I know that Fodorites are well-traveled and always have such great ideas. Plus, I don't know where else to find this information!

My family and I are traveling from Columbus Ohio to Slovakia in a few weeks to visit relatives. As is custom, we would like to bring a few special gifts to present to the family (several members, ranging in age from seniors to college students). I'm trying to find a few different things to take (some picture books showing our community, but also something "American" for the younger family members). I don't exactly know the socio-economic state of Slovakia these days, although I suspect that they are still somewhat behind us in terms of technology and Western goods. Are these things already available there, just expensive or not even practical (ex: DVDs)?

Has anyone traveled to Eastern Europe recently? Do you have any suggestions in terms of things to bring that they are lacking? Obviously, we can't bring anything too large or perishable, but we want to show them a little about our lives/cultural while also giving them a little something special.

All help is much appreciated! Thank you.

I won't bring DVD--European formats are different from the US version.
I haven't been to Slovakia but travelled to Czech a couple of times. Saw CDs sold on streets.

Personally, if I'm bringing gifts for overseas relatives, I'd stick to some nice coffee book with pictures, NICE toiletry items like scented candles, a box of chocolates. Do you find locally crafted products? T-shirts with college or sport team logos can be good for the kids.

Been there several times. I think they enjoy nice stuff, like sun glasses, American jeans, cute shirts, etc., and for the home, nice linen , tea towels, etc. Just try to get something made in America...they can get the usual junk from China too.

Although never from Slovakia, we have had teena dn young adult visitors from several European countries. They were always interested in taking back anything that was identifiably American to show off (might work for the college students). While jeans were most desirable, this presents size problems. So t-shirts featuring US bands/groups, sports teams, etc. might work. Also any cool electronic gadget that would work there as well.

For adults we often bring non-perishable specialty food items unique to our part of the country (such as Vermont maple syrup). I have no clue what is special to Ohio.