Do unique, generic gifts exist?
August 26, 2010 1:17 PM Subscribe
I need ideas for gifts to bring abroad from the U.S. I'm especially looking for things that simply don't exist or are difficult to find in other countries.
I spent quite some time browsing AskMeFi because it seems like it would be such a common question. There are some great threads for Canadian & Aussie gifts, but other than these two threads, I couldn't find much for the US-based gifter.
There are a couple gift recipients in mind right now, but I'd welcome almost any suggestions as I'm sure the need for more US gifts will arise in the future.
Recipient details:
- Group 1: Coworkers in central America. Most have young children (which is easily solved, I think), but I'd like to give something to the actual mom & dads as well.
- Group 2: Hospital/nursing staff in Taiwan. These are people who have been nothing short of excellent when they treated my dad for a chronic illness. We'll definitely be seeing them for the next few years. I've already composed a letter of gratitude complimenting their services to the head of their department, but I simply don't feel like that's enough.
- Group 3: Family in Taiwan. These are adult cousins, aunts, and uncles.
I'd like for the gifts to be less hokey (so t-shirts featuring the US flag or a Statue of Liberty shot glass are out), and I don't mind if they're a little generic as long as it's something unique to the U.S. Definitely welcome foodstuffs, though I'm not too keen on gifting alcohol.
Some examples I've come across:
- I saw a lot of lotions (etc) from what would otherwise be common American brands (L'Oreal, Body Shop, Bath & Body Works) in the duty free shops at the airport. I have no idea how unique this is to the US, but I remember being extremely surprised that such common brands are worthy of being in a duty free shop. Are these really that rare?? I don't want to show up with a set of shower gels, and their response is "So, what, you got this from the beauty store one block done?"
- A friend asked me to get her a potato masher as she simply couldn't find one in Asia at all. I laughed at this, but she was dead serious!
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to reading all the answers!
I spent quite some time browsing AskMeFi because it seems like it would be such a common question. There are some great threads for Canadian & Aussie gifts, but other than these two threads, I couldn't find much for the US-based gifter.
There are a couple gift recipients in mind right now, but I'd welcome almost any suggestions as I'm sure the need for more US gifts will arise in the future.
Recipient details:
- Group 1: Coworkers in central America. Most have young children (which is easily solved, I think), but I'd like to give something to the actual mom & dads as well.
- Group 2: Hospital/nursing staff in Taiwan. These are people who have been nothing short of excellent when they treated my dad for a chronic illness. We'll definitely be seeing them for the next few years. I've already composed a letter of gratitude complimenting their services to the head of their department, but I simply don't feel like that's enough.
- Group 3: Family in Taiwan. These are adult cousins, aunts, and uncles.
I'd like for the gifts to be less hokey (so t-shirts featuring the US flag or a Statue of Liberty shot glass are out), and I don't mind if they're a little generic as long as it's something unique to the U.S. Definitely welcome foodstuffs, though I'm not too keen on gifting alcohol.
Some examples I've come across:
- I saw a lot of lotions (etc) from what would otherwise be common American brands (L'Oreal, Body Shop, Bath & Body Works) in the duty free shops at the airport. I have no idea how unique this is to the US, but I remember being extremely surprised that such common brands are worthy of being in a duty free shop. Are these really that rare?? I don't want to show up with a set of shower gels, and their response is "So, what, you got this from the beauty store one block done?"
- A friend asked me to get her a potato masher as she simply couldn't find one in Asia at all. I laughed at this, but she was dead serious!
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to reading all the answers!
How about American-made candy? Often times candy/chocolate bars can be quite different between countries.
Do you have a local contact who can help you find out if there are American brands like Abercrombie (or similar) that might be sought-after or fashionable?
posted by Fleebnork at 1:28 PM on August 26, 2010
Do you have a local contact who can help you find out if there are American brands like Abercrombie (or similar) that might be sought-after or fashionable?
posted by Fleebnork at 1:28 PM on August 26, 2010
I don't know if they can't get these items in the particular central American country you mention, or whether your coworkers would like them, but ... I have a friend in Brazil who goes nuts loading up his suitcase with Dr. Pepper and Twizzlers every time he comes here.
I would think there would be some kind of website listing at least major brands of consumer goods and where they are/aren't available.
posted by Ashley801 at 1:28 PM on August 26, 2010
I would think there would be some kind of website listing at least major brands of consumer goods and where they are/aren't available.
posted by Ashley801 at 1:28 PM on August 26, 2010
Most states have shops in touristy areas, sometimes in malls or mini-malls, that have items made in and unique to that state. Anything from syrups, teas, candies, blankets, clothing, candles, and much more ... I travel fulltime around North America and these are the kinds of gifts I pick up for people because I know it is something they don't have and can't generally get with out traveling (or shopping online, oh well).
As an example,Made in Oregon, Vermont Gift Barn, Made in New Mexico. You could pick up items from the states you are in/visiting, or order online.
Some items may be too specific, but most will not be "hokey", and there is such a huge variety of things available, something ought to work!
Note: Don't go to the "touristy shops" looking for this stuff, do a search for "made in ____ state" to find a shop.
posted by batikrose at 1:31 PM on August 26, 2010
As an example,Made in Oregon, Vermont Gift Barn, Made in New Mexico. You could pick up items from the states you are in/visiting, or order online.
Some items may be too specific, but most will not be "hokey", and there is such a huge variety of things available, something ought to work!
Note: Don't go to the "touristy shops" looking for this stuff, do a search for "made in ____ state" to find a shop.
posted by batikrose at 1:31 PM on August 26, 2010
Definitely consider drugstore shopping (taking care in case there are legal minefields). Simple things like high-tech band-aids or lotions and potions can be very country-specific but also useful.
Foodstuff-wise, things like chili spice kits can go down well. Slightly offbeat candy, too: the stuff you'd associate with movie theatres or old-time candy stores. (Wintergreen is idiosyncratic; hot cinnamon, also.)
posted by holgate at 1:34 PM on August 26, 2010
Foodstuff-wise, things like chili spice kits can go down well. Slightly offbeat candy, too: the stuff you'd associate with movie theatres or old-time candy stores. (Wintergreen is idiosyncratic; hot cinnamon, also.)
posted by holgate at 1:34 PM on August 26, 2010
I'm pretty sure they have L'Oreal and The Body Shop in Taiwan, I mean, they have all that stuff (and Maybelline too) in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:44 PM on August 26, 2010
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:44 PM on August 26, 2010
Pointless if you're going to Canada, but real maple syrup is unbelievably expensive elsewhere. Take a recipe for pancakes, though, or you'll risk getting caught flat like I did. People everywhere love sweets!
posted by workerant at 1:45 PM on August 26, 2010
posted by workerant at 1:45 PM on August 26, 2010
YMMV, but I'm going to visit an American friend in Australia in a few weeks. She's asked me to bring as many packs of red Solo cups as I can fit in my suitcase. Apparently they are not available in Australia (?), and when her new Australian friends spied them in pictures they went crazy about the "cups just like in the movies!". Movies about beer pong, maybe, but still...
posted by stellaluna at 1:47 PM on August 26, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by stellaluna at 1:47 PM on August 26, 2010 [4 favorites]
I'm not sure if this will work due to weight and possible breakage/leaking but a real, good bottled iced tea such as Tejava or Ito En. This may not be applicable to Taiwan since (in my extremely limited experience) Asian countries tend to be more tea friendly. I never realized how 'American' good iced tea was until I tried to find it traveling in countries outside of Asia.
posted by moxiequz at 2:19 PM on August 26, 2010
posted by moxiequz at 2:19 PM on August 26, 2010
Might be worth pointing out that L'Oréal is French & now wholly owns Body Shop which was founded in the UK (although the idea came from a shop in Berkley, CA). Very global companies.
posted by i_cola at 2:24 PM on August 26, 2010
posted by i_cola at 2:24 PM on August 26, 2010
Maple syrup will be very impractical, but maple candy, maple butter, and maple sugar are all doable!
posted by jgirl at 2:29 PM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jgirl at 2:29 PM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Er...Ito En is a Japanese brand and almost certainly available in Taiwan, so probably not ideal.
uauage's suggestion of Reese's peanut butter cups, or really any kind of American sweet, is pretty good. Peanut butter in particular because it's hard to find outside of the U.S. but if you're still in the L.A. area and looking for something a little fancier than plain ol' Reeses, then See's Candies has always gone down a treat when I'm gifting abroad. My family has been known to just take over suitcases full when they're traveling. They've also had good luck with baseball caps in the past, but that may be because my family is from baseball-crazy Japan.
posted by Diagonalize at 2:43 PM on August 26, 2010
uauage's suggestion of Reese's peanut butter cups, or really any kind of American sweet, is pretty good. Peanut butter in particular because it's hard to find outside of the U.S. but if you're still in the L.A. area and looking for something a little fancier than plain ol' Reeses, then See's Candies has always gone down a treat when I'm gifting abroad. My family has been known to just take over suitcases full when they're traveling. They've also had good luck with baseball caps in the past, but that may be because my family is from baseball-crazy Japan.
posted by Diagonalize at 2:43 PM on August 26, 2010
Yeah, there are Body Shop stores in Taipei (heck, they even have Lush). That's probably a no-go.
The idea of iced tea sounds a bit strange to me--not only would you not be able to easily take it on an airplane, but Taiwanese convenience stores are paradises of bottled cold drinks, and there are countless tea cafes serving all kinds of fun drinks. They might not have something that tastes precisely like Tejava, but I don't think it'd taste particularly interesting to the average Taiwanese person. And Ito-En is indeed a major Japanese brand, and most Japanese brands are very easy to find in Taiwan.
See's or whatever regional equivalent you have is indeed pretty reliable, but boxes of individually wrapped items (like See's Little Pops or whatever) rather than the chocolates that are in paper cups is probably better for the nursing staff (I guess this is less critical than in Japan, but still). Maple items may be a good idea too, especially if they have nice packaging.
posted by wintersweet at 3:54 PM on August 26, 2010
The idea of iced tea sounds a bit strange to me--not only would you not be able to easily take it on an airplane, but Taiwanese convenience stores are paradises of bottled cold drinks, and there are countless tea cafes serving all kinds of fun drinks. They might not have something that tastes precisely like Tejava, but I don't think it'd taste particularly interesting to the average Taiwanese person. And Ito-En is indeed a major Japanese brand, and most Japanese brands are very easy to find in Taiwan.
See's or whatever regional equivalent you have is indeed pretty reliable, but boxes of individually wrapped items (like See's Little Pops or whatever) rather than the chocolates that are in paper cups is probably better for the nursing staff (I guess this is less critical than in Japan, but still). Maple items may be a good idea too, especially if they have nice packaging.
posted by wintersweet at 3:54 PM on August 26, 2010
I'd bring a food item that travels easily, but which would not be widely available (in its authentic form) in that part of the world.
What about something truly local - if you are from Seattle, what about coffee? If you are from New York, what about bagels or lox or pastrami? Maple syrup is an awesome idea if you are from the US northeast/New England. A British expat friend of mine is still slightly confused by peanut butter.
Some notes on other suggestions:
Iced tea is a terrible idea because pre-bottled iced teas are disgusting and not even the proper way to make/serve/consume iced tea. You might as well bring microwave pizzas, or pop tarts. Actually, poptarts would be kind of hilariously brilliant if you and your friends abroad have the right sense of humor.
American chocolate is notoriously awful.
Consumer goods in general would be available in both Central America and Taiwan - remember, globalism exists. This is also true for toiletries; I was in South America recently and, looking at the products available in an urban drugstore or supermarket, you would have no idea you weren't in Ohio or New Jersey.
Chili/Spice kits: they have spicy food in both Taiwan and Central America. Bringing US southwest or Tex Mex flavors to Taiwan might be interesting, though.
posted by Sara C. at 7:39 PM on August 26, 2010
What about something truly local - if you are from Seattle, what about coffee? If you are from New York, what about bagels or lox or pastrami? Maple syrup is an awesome idea if you are from the US northeast/New England. A British expat friend of mine is still slightly confused by peanut butter.
Some notes on other suggestions:
Iced tea is a terrible idea because pre-bottled iced teas are disgusting and not even the proper way to make/serve/consume iced tea. You might as well bring microwave pizzas, or pop tarts. Actually, poptarts would be kind of hilariously brilliant if you and your friends abroad have the right sense of humor.
American chocolate is notoriously awful.
Consumer goods in general would be available in both Central America and Taiwan - remember, globalism exists. This is also true for toiletries; I was in South America recently and, looking at the products available in an urban drugstore or supermarket, you would have no idea you weren't in Ohio or New Jersey.
Chili/Spice kits: they have spicy food in both Taiwan and Central America. Bringing US southwest or Tex Mex flavors to Taiwan might be interesting, though.
posted by Sara C. at 7:39 PM on August 26, 2010
I was coming in to suggest maple syrup, as well, although I realize that it doesn't always travel well.
Herbs that aren't necessarily available easily in the recipients' country are another option.
posted by bardophile at 9:18 PM on August 26, 2010
Herbs that aren't necessarily available easily in the recipients' country are another option.
posted by bardophile at 9:18 PM on August 26, 2010
These are a lovely candy, made in a smallish city in California.
It's the chews you want. Don't be distracted by the other stuff.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:19 PM on August 26, 2010
It's the chews you want. Don't be distracted by the other stuff.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:19 PM on August 26, 2010
Seconding peanut butter, strange as it sounds. We had a Brazilian doc observing with our med-evac program for a week and introduced him to peanut butter. He LOVED it, and loaded up with multiple jars when he returned home.
posted by wjm at 2:26 AM on August 27, 2010
posted by wjm at 2:26 AM on August 27, 2010
I suggest some kind of old-style country crafts, for example from Ohio Country Crafts.
Just go down the list on the left side and see if you like anything. Maybe some kind of collectible plate, or a cute house made of wood, or a quilt, something like that.
Here are two I liked: one, two.
posted by danceswithlight at 2:52 AM on August 27, 2010
Just go down the list on the left side and see if you like anything. Maybe some kind of collectible plate, or a cute house made of wood, or a quilt, something like that.
Here are two I liked: one, two.
posted by danceswithlight at 2:52 AM on August 27, 2010
My mom has a standing order for See's candy, Rice Chex cereal, and Prell shampoo if I am bringing gifts from the US. My friend always wants dry skin lotion from Bath and Body Works, which isn't available for export due to one of the medicated ingredients. Also popular are canned nuts, specifically red skin Spanish peanuts and spiced cashews or premium nut mixes. Kids in my family like the cartoon character buttons from the bin at Hot Topic.
This is so much easier from Canada. (Bag of Hawkin's Cheezies, Clamato, bottle of 222s. Done.)
posted by Sallyfur at 5:31 AM on August 27, 2010
This is so much easier from Canada. (Bag of Hawkin's Cheezies, Clamato, bottle of 222s. Done.)
posted by Sallyfur at 5:31 AM on August 27, 2010
My Bulgarian relatives always ask for 25% DEET insect repellent (Off! Deep woods) in the summer and that's about it. Pretty much all non-Americans I know hate peanut butter and wouldn't know what to do with maple syrup, so I'd ask before buying any food. Also, L'Oréal tends to be a common denominator brand - that'd be like bringing someone soap or toothpaste.
posted by halogen at 7:41 AM on August 27, 2010
posted by halogen at 7:41 AM on August 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 1:23 PM on August 26, 2010