Transpacific Gift Givin'
September 29, 2010 8:29 PM Subscribe
What are some US-centric gift ideas to send to a friend in Australia?
I have been friends with a woman in Australia for years and years after meeting on an e-mail penpal board before it became a haven for marriage proposal spam. Recently, she sent my family (mainly our 19-month-old daughter) a box featuring some Australian-themed gifts - a kid-sized Aussie football, some Tim Tams, some Vegemite, that sort of thing.
We'd like to do the same thing for her, with some little gifts and possibly a food item here and there that's a little slice of America, preferably things that aren't readily or cheaply available in Australia. She had mentioned in the past that snacks like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups aren't real big there because Aussies aren't used to the taste of peanut butter, but I don't know how true that is.
At any rate, what kind of things, both food and non-food, could I send to her that she couldn't just go down to the shops and pick up herself?
I have been friends with a woman in Australia for years and years after meeting on an e-mail penpal board before it became a haven for marriage proposal spam. Recently, she sent my family (mainly our 19-month-old daughter) a box featuring some Australian-themed gifts - a kid-sized Aussie football, some Tim Tams, some Vegemite, that sort of thing.
We'd like to do the same thing for her, with some little gifts and possibly a food item here and there that's a little slice of America, preferably things that aren't readily or cheaply available in Australia. She had mentioned in the past that snacks like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups aren't real big there because Aussies aren't used to the taste of peanut butter, but I don't know how true that is.
At any rate, what kind of things, both food and non-food, could I send to her that she couldn't just go down to the shops and pick up herself?
She had mentioned in the past that snacks like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups aren't real big there because Aussies aren't used to the taste of peanut butter, but I don't know how true that is.
Not true at all. Peanut butter is a staple in just about any household with kids. What she meant was that we're not used to the taste of peanut butter in any form other than peanut butter itself. Peanut-butter style chocolates, or cookies etc would make a perfect "exotic" gift.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:40 PM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Not true at all. Peanut butter is a staple in just about any household with kids. What she meant was that we're not used to the taste of peanut butter in any form other than peanut butter itself. Peanut-butter style chocolates, or cookies etc would make a perfect "exotic" gift.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:40 PM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Sorry Gilbert, we have all those things widely available here, esp the first two; you can even get them in grocery stores.
Australians have very very little American candy available. Almost any American candy that's not made by the Mars corporation is unavailable here.
It's very difficult to find good Mexican/Tex Mex foods here. Dried chillis of the mex variety and the like are few and far between.
No doubt others will be by with even more suggestions!
posted by smoke at 8:43 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Australians have very very little American candy available. Almost any American candy that's not made by the Mars corporation is unavailable here.
It's very difficult to find good Mexican/Tex Mex foods here. Dried chillis of the mex variety and the like are few and far between.
No doubt others will be by with even more suggestions!
posted by smoke at 8:43 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Whatever you send, remember the strictures of Australian quarantine.
We've got peanut butter, we've got chocolate, it's just that having them together isn't a thing here, so those peanut butter cups you have are a very common care-package item for expatriates. The same goes for Hershey bars, I'm told.
Decent Mexican food and condiments are rare here---we have Tabasco sauce, that's about it---so anything you could get that would pass AQIS's rules would be excellent.
Australian bottle shops don't stock North American wines very often, so if your friend drinks it and you can afford the postage for a bottle or two, American wines would probably go down well. (The same doesn't apply to bourbon and whiskey—no shortage of those).
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:50 PM on September 29, 2010
We've got peanut butter, we've got chocolate, it's just that having them together isn't a thing here, so those peanut butter cups you have are a very common care-package item for expatriates. The same goes for Hershey bars, I'm told.
Decent Mexican food and condiments are rare here---we have Tabasco sauce, that's about it---so anything you could get that would pass AQIS's rules would be excellent.
Australian bottle shops don't stock North American wines very often, so if your friend drinks it and you can afford the postage for a bottle or two, American wines would probably go down well. (The same doesn't apply to bourbon and whiskey—no shortage of those).
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:50 PM on September 29, 2010
Well, heck, smoke. I guess I knew even less about Australia than I thought I didn't know.
posted by Gilbert at 8:52 PM on September 29, 2010
posted by Gilbert at 8:52 PM on September 29, 2010
On the other thread Chocoloate Pickle links to someone's suggested stubbie holders AKA beer coozies(?). This is an excellent idea. I have never known an Australian house without at least two somewhere. The more obscure the sporting team, event, location or attraction the better.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 9:08 PM on September 29, 2010
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 9:08 PM on September 29, 2010
Is there such a thing as PB&J in a tube - that comes out in streaks like some kinds of toothpaste? I've got a vague childhood memory that maybe a classmate had received something like that, and that it seemed really cool...?
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:14 PM on September 29, 2010
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:14 PM on September 29, 2010
hot sauce. As an Australia who has discovered a love of hot sauce coupled with a distinct lack of hot sauce retail outlets - I can only suggest hot sauce
posted by the noob at 10:13 PM on September 29, 2010
posted by the noob at 10:13 PM on September 29, 2010
hot sauce. As an Australia who has discovered a love of hot sauce coupled with a distinct lack of hot sauce retail outlets - I can only suggest hot sauce
An Albuquerque NM-dwelling, Tex Mex-cooking friend swears by El Pato Jalapeno Salsa.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:23 PM on September 29, 2010
An Albuquerque NM-dwelling, Tex Mex-cooking friend swears by El Pato Jalapeno Salsa.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:23 PM on September 29, 2010
OK, hapax, I was just going to hang my head in shame for the rest of this thread, but I feel the need to see your El Pato and raise you a Cholula.
posted by Gilbert at 10:38 PM on September 29, 2010
posted by Gilbert at 10:38 PM on September 29, 2010
As the recipient of a truly phenomenal US "care package", the things that were in it were;
- a variety of Tex-Mex products including a variety of hot sauces and seasonings, powdered chili and chili-in-cans, BBQ marinades as well as crab boil and Old Bay seasoning (impossible to find here)
- some bizarre Mexican candies (watermelon candy with chili and tamarind dip??)
- a huge assortment of Reeces products (which had a mixed response - US peanut butter is weird)
- large assortment of general candy that isn't generally found here (Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Rolls and so on)
I asked for Twinkies but they are apparently considered a perishable product (who knew?) and can't be sent through Customs. Fig Newtons, however were fine.
the noob - if you're willing to order online, can I suggest this place for your hot sauce needs - their range is decent and their customer service is excellent.
/shill
posted by ninazer0 at 10:45 PM on September 29, 2010
- a variety of Tex-Mex products including a variety of hot sauces and seasonings, powdered chili and chili-in-cans, BBQ marinades as well as crab boil and Old Bay seasoning (impossible to find here)
- some bizarre Mexican candies (watermelon candy with chili and tamarind dip??)
- a huge assortment of Reeces products (which had a mixed response - US peanut butter is weird)
- large assortment of general candy that isn't generally found here (Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Rolls and so on)
I asked for Twinkies but they are apparently considered a perishable product (who knew?) and can't be sent through Customs. Fig Newtons, however were fine.
the noob - if you're willing to order online, can I suggest this place for your hot sauce needs - their range is decent and their customer service is excellent.
/shill
posted by ninazer0 at 10:45 PM on September 29, 2010
More recent previously for gifts to Scotland but will have a lot of overlap.
posted by stuartmm at 11:24 PM on September 29, 2010
posted by stuartmm at 11:24 PM on September 29, 2010
OK, hapax, I was just going to hang my head in shame for the rest of this thread, but I feel the need to see your El Pato and raise you a Cholula.
No need to raise -- the two are simpatico! :)
posted by hapax_legomenon at 11:45 PM on September 29, 2010
No need to raise -- the two are simpatico! :)
posted by hapax_legomenon at 11:45 PM on September 29, 2010
nthing the hot sauce idea.
I'm an American in Melbourne, and I can not WAIT to fly home to LAX for a visit, just to douse a few carnitas burritos in Cholula.
posted by adamk at 12:09 AM on September 30, 2010
I'm an American in Melbourne, and I can not WAIT to fly home to LAX for a visit, just to douse a few carnitas burritos in Cholula.
posted by adamk at 12:09 AM on September 30, 2010
Coles sells Cholula. It's right next to the Tabasco. It's $5 a bottle. They have for ages.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:41 AM on September 30, 2010
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:41 AM on September 30, 2010
One of my friends sent me a Magic 8 Ball. Best. Gift. Ever.
Bear in mind that the postage will be expensive, and you can't send anything with dried fruit/vegetables/meat/seeds/herbs. Anything pretty highly processed is probably ok.
Are your orange flavoured Tic Tacs orange coloured? Ours are white so that could be quite a novelty. Also, I really like American Extra gum (and American gum in general). We have Extra but the flavours aren't as good, and the pieces are much smaller.
You could include a recipe for Pumpkin Pie. That just doesn't exist here, unless you have an American friend to make it for you. (Although bear in mind we don't get canned pumpkin, so she'll have to use fresh).
Thirding the stubby holders.
I would think about regional stuff that is local to your area. Local goodies might be a bit more unusual and a bit more meaningful. What would you take to someone on the other side of the U.S.? Local stuff might also be more palatable for Aussies - I find most commercial American candy to be overly sweet.
American stuff I've never seen in Australia: Animal Crackers, Saltwater Taffy, Lucky Charms, HoHos, Jolly Ranchers, Pixie Stix.
American stuff I have seen in Australia (with varying degrees of availability): Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Junior Mints, Oreos, 3 Muskeeers, Baby Ruth, Butter Finger, Hershey's, Kool Aid.
posted by Emilyisnow at 2:47 AM on September 30, 2010
Bear in mind that the postage will be expensive, and you can't send anything with dried fruit/vegetables/meat/seeds/herbs. Anything pretty highly processed is probably ok.
Are your orange flavoured Tic Tacs orange coloured? Ours are white so that could be quite a novelty. Also, I really like American Extra gum (and American gum in general). We have Extra but the flavours aren't as good, and the pieces are much smaller.
You could include a recipe for Pumpkin Pie. That just doesn't exist here, unless you have an American friend to make it for you. (Although bear in mind we don't get canned pumpkin, so she'll have to use fresh).
Thirding the stubby holders.
I would think about regional stuff that is local to your area. Local goodies might be a bit more unusual and a bit more meaningful. What would you take to someone on the other side of the U.S.? Local stuff might also be more palatable for Aussies - I find most commercial American candy to be overly sweet.
American stuff I've never seen in Australia: Animal Crackers, Saltwater Taffy, Lucky Charms, HoHos, Jolly Ranchers, Pixie Stix.
American stuff I have seen in Australia (with varying degrees of availability): Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Junior Mints, Oreos, 3 Muskeeers, Baby Ruth, Butter Finger, Hershey's, Kool Aid.
posted by Emilyisnow at 2:47 AM on September 30, 2010
Fiasco da Gama mentioned pretty much everything you need to know.
I've shop at various Coles and Woolies stores (which are the biggest stores in Australia) and never ever seen Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in any of them. I'd love to have some ice cream with reese's pieces now.
And the hot sauce. Couple of different styles would guarantee your place in heaven.
Also, there isn't a trader joe's style store in Australia. If you can find something interesting there, it will be definitely appreciated I think.
And again just to make sure, check the quarantine rules.
posted by caelumluna at 5:09 AM on September 30, 2010
I've shop at various Coles and Woolies stores (which are the biggest stores in Australia) and never ever seen Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in any of them. I'd love to have some ice cream with reese's pieces now.
And the hot sauce. Couple of different styles would guarantee your place in heaven.
Also, there isn't a trader joe's style store in Australia. If you can find something interesting there, it will be definitely appreciated I think.
And again just to make sure, check the quarantine rules.
posted by caelumluna at 5:09 AM on September 30, 2010
Coles sells Cholula. It's right next to the Tabasco. It's $5 a bottle. They have for ages.
I thought it sounded familiar - I just checked my pantry & I have some Cholula. Probably not from Coles, though, as I try not to shop there. Short story: it's probably reasonably widely available.
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:31 AM on September 30, 2010
I thought it sounded familiar - I just checked my pantry & I have some Cholula. Probably not from Coles, though, as I try not to shop there. Short story: it's probably reasonably widely available.
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:31 AM on September 30, 2010
Perhaps something cinnamon-flavoured? Australians tend to think of cinnamon mostly in a baking context - it's not as common a flavour here as it is in the U.S. (although you can now buy cinnamon gum). Some sauces or spices for U.S. style barbeque might also be good.
I'm sure you have breakfast cereals we don't. I'm not sure if we have Cheerios here these days - we didn't a few years ago.
For a non-food suggestion - we get a lot of TV shows months after they're screened in the U.S., and it usually takes even longer for the DVDs to be available for sale. You could send the latest season of a recent show you know they like. A bit of googling should tell you if it's something they can get here (or feel free to MeMail me and I'll see what I can find out).
Stubby holders are an excellent idea.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 6:43 AM on September 30, 2010
I'm sure you have breakfast cereals we don't. I'm not sure if we have Cheerios here these days - we didn't a few years ago.
For a non-food suggestion - we get a lot of TV shows months after they're screened in the U.S., and it usually takes even longer for the DVDs to be available for sale. You could send the latest season of a recent show you know they like. A bit of googling should tell you if it's something they can get here (or feel free to MeMail me and I'll see what I can find out).
Stubby holders are an excellent idea.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 6:43 AM on September 30, 2010
If they're of a certain age, they will have grown up reading American comics with ads for Sea Monkeys in them. But they're not sold here. And that's just a tragedy.
I don't know whether AQIS allows their importation..
But the best care pack I ever got from the US had them in it, and quarantine definitely didn't consign them to a fiery doom.
It was close to being the happiest day of my life.
posted by Ahab at 9:28 AM on September 30, 2010
I don't know whether AQIS allows their importation..
But the best care pack I ever got from the US had them in it, and quarantine definitely didn't consign them to a fiery doom.
It was close to being the happiest day of my life.
posted by Ahab at 9:28 AM on September 30, 2010
I had a friend living in Australia who grew up in the U.S. last year and the one thing she missed enough to ask for was candy corn.
posted by clango at 10:53 AM on September 30, 2010
posted by clango at 10:53 AM on September 30, 2010
Halloween is coming up. usafoods.com is sold out of pretty much everything. A box full of candy corn, caramel apples, orange Oreos etc with same cheesy paper decorations would be very cool.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 5:29 AM on October 1, 2010
posted by obiwanwasabi at 5:29 AM on October 1, 2010
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posted by Gilbert at 8:39 PM on September 29, 2010