What's a good gift for an Amish family?

November 20, 2009 5:26 PM

Should I give a gift to the family who we bought a CSA farmshare from this year? I was at their house every week from May to Oct picking up produce, and even a few chickens. Complication is that they're an Amish family (maybe Swartzentuber?), and I have no idea what would be an appropriate gift. It's the parents, and about 5 kids under the age of 10. The best idea I have at the moment is a jar of maple syrup from my trees, since that's about the only thing their farm doesn't have.
posted by saffry to Society & Culture (16 answers total)

That sounds awesome. I think the maple syrup would be a wonderful gift. Let me know if you have extra!
posted by amtho at 5:29 PM on November 20, 2009

my dad was helped by a group of mennonite men when he first moved in. he tried to pay them and they refused. he later brought them fresh baked goods and they seemed very appreciative.

i think your maple syrup idea is a wonderful one. you're giving a gift in kind (as in, returning the same sort of thing you got from them).
posted by nadawi at 5:30 PM on November 20, 2009

Yeah, I think the syrup would be very much appreciated.
posted by bricoleur at 5:40 PM on November 20, 2009

A jar of maple syrup from your trees would be pretty much the most perfect gift ever devised for this situation.
posted by desuetude at 5:41 PM on November 20, 2009 [3 favorites]

A jar of maple syrup from your trees would be pretty much the most perfect gift ever devised for this situation.

This. I think anything made by you, especially something from your land would be appropriate.
posted by TooFewShoes at 5:47 PM on November 20, 2009

Another vote for the maple syrup.
posted by rtha at 5:59 PM on November 20, 2009

My philosophy is that you can never go wrong being slightly more generous than required, so gift away!
posted by DrGail at 6:02 PM on November 20, 2009

maple syrup would be great, and possibly something more immediately gratifying for the kids: popcorn balls? caramel apples? some fruit not normally available to them (oranges, mangos)? (which – heh – if they don't like personally, they can feed to the livestock).
posted by mr. remy at 6:05 PM on November 20, 2009

for the kids you can make maple syrup cookies - on the to "such and such" family card you can put the recipe on the back.
posted by nadawi at 6:09 PM on November 20, 2009

Nthing the maple syrup. Good choice.

And if you have extra...
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:42 PM on November 20, 2009

Go for the maple syrup. Or if you feel like that isn't enough bake some bread or cookies or something. Food is always appreciated by people!
posted by lucy.jakobs at 7:06 PM on November 20, 2009

A jar of your maple syrup is a lovely idea. If you get pressed for time, however, consider giving a visiting book (a lined journal) to the parents, card games (Old Maid, Rook, Dutch Blitz), marbles, jacks or puzzles to the children. Disclaimer: I don't know any Amish kids, but these toys are typical of what I see Amish mothers buying at a Mennonite-owned store.

But home-tapped maple syrup? Full of win.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:25 PM on November 20, 2009

maple syrup, and some home-baked maple cookies for the kids
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 7:35 PM on November 20, 2009

A jar of maple syrup from your trees. It needs to be a humble gift (they practice humility and humbleness) or it will backfire and cause them great discomfort. Your inclination is the absolute perfect gift. If you add second gift to this you will have overgifted.
posted by Muirwylde at 9:25 PM on November 20, 2009

The syrup is perfect. It's an exchange of something you created in appreciation of something they created. It's not extravagant but practical, and so likely to be aprpeciated.
posted by Miko at 9:59 PM on November 20, 2009

Definitely the maple syrup and if you make it or have it, maple sugar. If you want, maybe some winter citrus since that seems to be a traditional gift to children at Christmas in some countries, in addition to the syrup.
posted by jadepearl at 1:53 AM on November 21, 2009