What do English/Europeans want from America? (Giftwise)

[tjdee]

I have pseudo in-laws over in Great Britain, and I never know what to get them for Christmas. I always try to get them a nice family gift--but I always feel I should be getting them some really cool American thing, something that we've got that is not so available there....like...um...sigh. That pesky globalization! They just about ARE us, LOL!

That's where you guys come in. Any English/European DUers want to weigh in? DUers with relatives over in England/Europe who have ideas? I've had scores of British friends, so you'd think I'd have a clue by now. All I've picked up is that everything is cheaper here. Sigh.

Thank you in advance! (I always feel like I don't reply enough in my threads...but I so appreciate the input, you're all pretty clever)

[GCP]

1. CDs are really cheap here compared to over there

Maybe youn could find out who they like to listen to? Also any electronic gear - depending on how much you want to spend, eg walkman, mp3 player, digital camera, gameboy etc.

[tjdee]

3. Hey, that's good...

They have tweens, and I've gotten them a few CDs--but I've never considered the actual electronics though...and since it *is* "cheaper" here...hmmmmmmmmmm.....

[Kellanved]

6. remember the different voltage/frequency

Non-battery-powered electronics are a problem. I don't know about the UK, but most electronics aren't that much more expensive in continental Europe than in the US (thanks to the strong Euro).

CDs are cool, especially as Euro-CDs have that stupid copy-protection.

[Shakespeare]

2. I'd like a pony!

Or Lincoln Logs. But preferably a pony.

[tjdee]

4. Hehehehehehe! But y'all *have* ponies! Um. Don't you?

Wait a minute. Where's *my* pony?
I think you've stumbled on to something here.

:hi:

[Shakespeare]

7. Well, we don't bloody well have Lincoln Logs!

How many log cabins have YOU seen in Britain? Aha! See?

We have things like lemon curd and deer and scones and very old castles and odd tiny cars and mutton and Oxford scholars out the wazoo.

We could definitely use things like Lincoln Logs or baseball mitts or cowboy boots or charming midwestern Lutherans.

Or, as regards the original request, a PONY!

[On the Road]

19. A Pony? But You Have Shetland Ponies!

Right?

[Shakespeare]

23. Those are technically not ponies...

...but miniature horses. I stand by my original request for a pony, thank you. ;-)

[dolo amber]

5. My friend John in Scotland

really really dug Wendy's cheeseburgers when he visited here. :hi: :D

edit: sorry, couldn't resist. :evilgrin:

[hussar]

8. How about a selection of

[tjdee]

10. I've heard Cadbury's is better...

I had thought of it, many years ago a Brit friend of mine picked it up for his younger siblings--but made sure to tell me that it tasted like cardboard and good god why didn't us people make real chocolate like Cadbury's in this country.

So I'm kind of resisting it...but hey, maybe they'll like it! I do!

[Kellanved]

13. Pretty much the same

IMHO has Hershey's has the more addictive flavo(u)rs, but both aren't really chocolate, as they use fats other than cacao-butter.

[CanuckAmok]

9. Things that are spelled incorrectly.

Send some aluminum foil, for example, or Lite-Brite.


We usually do the gift basket thing--because all our UK relatives are 80+. They have pretty much purchased everything they need, and thrown out everything they don't.

A nice basket via Harrod's--brandy, fancy cheese and crackers, a Christmas pudding, etc...

[Kamika]

11. electronic gear/ pc games

I swear I have to buy like 20 pc games to my relatives, every time we go to Korea.

Apparently It's pretty cheap here compared.

[Kellanved]

12. For continental Europe I'd concur

But the UK gets the good English versions and not the translated ****.
And console games are out anyway. Of course games tend to be cheaper as well in the US.

[pippin]

14. my English sister in law

loves Reese's peanut butter cups and chocolate syrup! Other relatives get CDs and the kids like electronic games and anime stuff. Lots of books available/big here aren't as readily availabe n England and vice versa,

[Kellanved]

15. Hmm.

1) Branded clothes
2) DVDs (need to have a Region Free player + NTSC compatible TV set)
3) Food : Especially those wacky sweets; Peanut Butter (not for Dutch; the Dutch Peanut Butter is superior) ; Sauces (not for the UK or the Netherlands); instant mixes (cake, pancakes, ...)
4) Software (It's cheaper in the US)
5) for practical people: Aspirin and Vitamins. Way cheaper in the US. (a 10 pill pack Aspirin costs about €5).

[corarose]

16. Frangomints

They are good and they come in lots of different flavors.

[SOteric]

18. How the heck does someone in Chicago even *KNOW* about Frangos?!

Have they been nationalised now, too?!

[corarose]

21. Jesus people in Chicago would never know about Frangomints

They use to be made right in the store on Michigan Ave 100 years ago.

Just Joking! Frango Mints started out in Chicago at Marshal Fields and they made them in Chicago until they closed the plant here 2 years ago.

[sweetheart]

17. what i want from america

that i can't get effectively in scotland:

1. good earth tea (can order on web, but a bit dear)
2. REALLY HOT salsa with blue corn chips... they don't have high quality salsa except in specialty shops somewhere i've never been.
3. if i was a kid (tinker toys)
4. surgarless peppermint bubble yum
5. some sweet american cookies.... british cookies mostly suck.
6. vitamins and food supplements... rare in most of britain except for basics
7. 250 tablet advil bottles... british law makes advils only saleable in 12 packs that cost over 2 pounds each.

Thats about it. Most cheese and food is better in britain than in american sueprmarkets, so thats not really a go. Wine and alcohol is the same... beer is better at the pub. Electronics are the same (minus the voltage).

Everything else is just as available... you stretch me to recall the things i get when i get stateside, or i ask people to bring.

Really hot salsa with good corn chips is pretty much unknown in britain.

Dog dietary supplements are lacking in britain, and fancy dog doors that pass through walls with airlocks are missing... i had to order one from arizona.

Greeen laser pointers and laser pointers in general are a kid's fantasy toy... unavailable in britain.

[corarose]

22. If you have a craving for salsa

Go to this website. The stuff in the bottle here sucks real bad also.
Blue Corn Chips are good.

http://www.pepperfool.com/recipe_home.html

[On the Road]

20. What Are Europeans Desperate For That Americans Can Get Easily?

ANTIBIOTICS!