What is an appropriate hospatility gift for an American host?
 

Greetings all. This is a very interesting forum! My family of four, from Amsterdam, will be coming to the USA and staying with brother in law's family in California. In addition to taking them out for a few meals, I am wanting to buy them a nice gift or perhaps several small gifts as a token for their hospitality. I would normally bring wine, but being in California I don't think this would be very original. I would also like the gift to perhaps have a touch of home, be tasteful and appropriate for Americans. Any dos and don'ts or advice would be appreciated. Thank you. : )

Wine is a nice gift, but as you mentioned it's not very original and it is tough to beat the quality of our California wine. I think a gift from Holland would be great. Can you bring bulbs over (not sure if they are allowed through immigration - maybe someone else can help). Gourmet chocolates are always appreciated. Maybe table linens - though you might need to know their table size. My mother just was in Scandinavia and brought back a few lovely pieces of crystal. Do they have children? Could you find small age appropriate toys to bring? A nice serving dish is always an appreciated gift. What part of California will you be visiting?

My friends from Amsterdam brought back several Dutch beers which are hard to find in the United States. (We can get Heineken and Amstel easily, but not Oranjeboom, Grolsch, etc) I loved it! Add some nice Dutch chocolates and other local foods.

Ideally, any appropriate gift from Holland I am sure would be well received by your hosts. My advice would be for one gift, somethign of a housewarming nature, so it could be enjoyed by the entire family. Perhaps some Dutch tulip bulbs to plant in their garden, or maybe a minature Dutch windmill? <BR><BR>Also, you mentioned that while you usually bring wine, you are uncertain if someone in California would appreciate this. Speaking as a wine lover, regardless of how many bottles of California vintage I have had, I always appreciate a good European wine. I am not sure if Holland has any wineries, but a bottle from your homeland would be an especially nice touch. <BR><BR>I hope this helps. Keep in mind, often times Americans are not in the habit of bringing a hospitality gift in the same respect as the Europeans. Anything you present will be icing on the cake after having such a gracious houseguest. Enjoy your trip to California!<BR>

Definitely a good idea to bring a small gift for each of the children of a Dutch theme. Of course the choice would depend on the age and sex of the kids. I think of little wooden shoes, windmills, the sorts of things you can find in the tourist shops in the Netherlands. For the parents, perhaps a delftware cutting board for cheese and some gouda cheese, a delftware trivet with a Dutch scene on it. I think anything Dutch would be appreciated.

Any food item that is specific to your country and that would be unusual to your host family. I'd love to have someone bring me Stroopwaffels (excuse the spelling, please), the waffle cookie with honey-like filling. The ones I bought for gifts in pretty Delft-design tins were well received. (For myself I bought them in bags from the supermarket.)<BR>Herring would probably not be a big hit with everyone, though.

Since this is your bro-in-law you should be able to find out a little bit about any particular collectibules they collect from their travels. Perhaps they like to get a snow globe where ever they go, or they collect spoons? Whatever the case, if you can find that information and try to gift appropriately.

Since you're from Amsterdam, perhaps some hash. It is generally very hard to find in the US whereas you have many excellent varieties from your quaint cafe's.

Chocolates and some really aged gouda would get my vote...other than that some good hashish

Perhaps you could bring them a dutch china jewlery box filled with a colorful assortment of LSD tabs? What the hell kind of a forum is this you degenerates?! I can't believe you are seriously asking a foreigner to smuggle such things into our airports?.. and to a house in the company of children?!<BR><BR>And besides, if the host family is connected with the Humboldt/Mendocino set then bringing them green stuff is a similar non-starter to bringing them wine. They simply have too much of the stuff there already.

How about some genever (spelling?), which I believe is a gin-like drink? I once worked with two Dutch people, and before they left the U.S. they gave me a ceramic bottle (decorated in the Delft style) of genever.<BR><BR>I didn't have the heart to tell them I didn't drink. Still have the bottle, though!<BR><BR>I agree that Dutch gifts for the children (if there are any) would be good.<BR><BR>Maybe a nice piece of Delftware--the real stuff, of course. This would also be a good basis for showing them how to tell the real Delftware from the cheap knockoffs.

In terms of bringing bulbs into California, it's pretty much a no-go to bring ANY plant life into California. I wouldn't want you to have to destry them at the airport.

Definitely bring something with you from home rather than purchased in US. Anything from Amsterdam will be viewed as exotic and precious. IF they have kids - toys or dolls or souvenirs (like snow globes or wooden clogs). If you can, I am sure the adults would LOOOVE some delft plates or pitchers - these would definitely be given a permanent place of honor! The truth is, whenever I have guests, I am just touched if they bring anything. It does not really matter so much. I do think it is nice to give something someone can keep forever (rather than food). Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you all so much. We are flying into Los Angeles, and will be staying in Thousand Oaks, in Ventura County. We are all really looking forward to the trip, the kids especially who want to see what America looks like, want to see what the teens over there are wearing and most of all what they are listening to. For them, it is an exotic adventure, for us, a nice getaway from the dreary scenery this time of year and our flat.<BR><BR>Lots of food for thought here, I really appreciate your ideas but I don't think it would be wise for me to sneak over some nice black hash, he he. I do appreciate the remark, and have been known in past years to indulge myself in given situations. I'm sure that if they are so inclined my hosts could find excellent sources for this domestically if they care for that.<BR><BR>Thanks again, looking forward to visiting your country. All the best, Pieter

I would also recommend a nice handmade christmas ornament. I collect them and am always on the lookout for interesting ones, when traveling. I bought two beautiful handmade ones in Maastricht, for 20 euro each, last weekend at the Christmas market. I gave one to my MIL and kept the other for myself. They are original and I especially like the delft theme. Just a thought...I also vote for food and booze as you can never go wrong with either of those choices. Happy holidays...

Pieter I hope your family has a wonderful trip. I think bringing something that you enjoy in the Netherlands would be great. <BR>I live in Texas and when I go to France to see friends of mine I bring a small assortment of things such as tostada chips, hot sauce, chili mix, margarita mix and of course..some good Mexican Tequila. I also accompany it with a much nicer gift. <BR>The point of it all is that you will be with family/friends. I think that your presence will be a treat unto itself. Any gift that you give will be warmly received. It is the thought that counts.<BR>Have a super trip and again I hope your family has a wonderful time. California is a really neat state to visit. There is a lot to see and do.

Forget the bulbs...they must be specifically certified, but a lovely craft item from the Netherlands would be greatly appreciated

My European relatives always bring me Leonidas chocolates when they visit me -a special treat hard to find in the States. There is one type that is especially good, it has a chocolate mousse filling, with a whole hazelnut on top, covered with white chocolate. I brought back lots of small boxes of them as gifts when we visited Brugges.

Dutch Cocoa. <BR><BR>Maybe your hosts will then bake you a delicious chocolate cake.

Actually when I was in Amsterdam I saw tulip bulbs on sale and it said on the package that they're ok for US customs. I think chocolates and cheese sound good, and perhaps wooden shoes or windmills for kids. I wouldn't bother with wine or beer.<BR>