What to take as a hostess gift?

[lizaanne 0]

We will be visiting England for two weeks in September to celebrate our first anniversary with family and friends who could not come over for the wedding last year.

We will be staying with some friends for several days, and I want to take a very nice hostess gift to them to thank them for their kindness. I want it to be something truly American, but not cheesy or hokey, if you know what I mean.

It just seems like, when I would consider taking something to someone here in America, it would be something imported!!! Well, that's pretty silly, why take them something they can get more easily than I can get here!

So - hoping you have some ideas. Not necessarily a food related item, maybe something for the home? But something I can drag through the Tube and not have to worry about it breaking either.

The impossible task!!

Thanks!

~Liza

[TimsDaisy 0]

Is there anything regionally specific to your state or hometown? That would still travel well? For Christmas, part of my gift to my future in-laws was a selection of Knott's Berry Farm pancake mixes and jams. I thought that worked well because, even though it's a bit hokey, I grew up going to that theme park, the stuff tastes good, and they don't do American pancakes over there, really, so it seemed appropriate. Something my family likes too, seemed good to share it.

Food stuffs can work well if you don't know if your home decor tastes will work in their home - for household items, etc.

Or you can't go wrong with a nice, small framed photo of something locally important where you live now. A pretty sunset over a landmark or something?

[lizaanne 0]

Even though I didn't really want to do food, I do like the pancake idea. I could offer to make breakfast for everyone one morning. Too bad I can't take some GOOD American bacon or sausage over - that really makes the meal.

Good thought though!!

After I posted I remembered that Pewabic Pottery is a very Detroit thing, and the pottery pieces are really beautiful. Maybe I can find something small enough to carry. Mmmm - now my gears are starting to turn.

Keep those ideas coming!

~Liza

Edited May 11, 2007 by lizaanne

[no name 1]

I agree with sometihng regional or American.

I always give his folks American foods - they enjoy it. Except NO CHOCOLATE cuz we all know UK choccie is a million times better.

Also, we gave his dad a gorgeous coffee table book of aerial shots of the USA. He loves it.

[lizaanne 0]

Also, we gave his dad a gorgeous coffee table book of aerial shots of the USA. He loves it.

Oooo! We have a beautiful book like that of Michigan - that's a great idea too!! I know that when I sent a small paper back version of tourism in Michigan, Simon's parents were really surprised how beautiful it was! The book idea is good too, and easy to pack.

~Liza

Edited May 11, 2007 by lizaanne

[truffles 2]

The book idea is great because it gives you a chance to actually write something personal in it - i love it when i get book and the giver actually take the trouble to personalise it

[lizaanne 0]

The book idea is great because it gives you a chance to actually write something personal in it - i love it when i get book and the giver actually take the trouble to personalise it

Excellent - then they will just be dying to come and visit us because it's so beautiful here! I love that idea! Maybe the book and a small food thing like the pancake mix. We may be staying with them for a week so I don't want it to be skimpy, but not over the top either to make them feel uncomfortable.

~Liza

[TimsDaisy 0]

Too bad I can't take some GOOD American bacon or sausage over

I'm with you on wanting to be able to pair REAL GOOD bacon with american pancakes over there. Boo on back bacon!

[no name 1]

\Boo on back bacon!

TAKE IT BACK!

The book idea is great because it gives you a chance to actually write something personal in it - i love it when i get book and the giver actually take the trouble to personalise it

I always do that, probably because growing up my parents always did! I LOVE that.

[TimsDaisy 0]

hey - that pewabic pottery is lovely! and they have trivets made from tiles or such that look great for resting tea pots on! i may order some of those for myself!

[homesick_american 1]

I wouldn't bother with pancake mix; Tesco sells Bisquik. You can get Oscar Meyer bacon at Sainsbury's.

Be careful with foodie things; you'd probably be surprised at the weird, seemingly obscure American brands that pop up here. You can almost never find any Hershey products, but British people seem to not like those anyway.

[John & Annie 0]

I always bring California wines and American Bourbon

We do have a couple things that are different.

[TimsDaisy 0]

I always bring California wines and American Bourbon

We do have a couple things that are different.

[TimsDaisy 0]

\Boo on back bacon!

TAKE IT BACK!

And the bacon wars continue! . . . . where's the bacon-eating smiley when you need it?!

[lizaanne 0]

I always bring California wines and American Bourbon

We do have a couple things that are different.

How do you do that with the restriction of taking only a certain amount of liquid on board the airplane? I wanted to take his dad some Maker's Mark, Simon's favorite, but didn't want to get all the way to the airport only to find we can't take it on board with us. That would totally stink!!!

~Liza