ME GIFTA
August 1, 2011 8:04 AM Subscribe
You live in Los Angeles; you travel to visit out-of-state relatives. Where (in town) do you go to find gifts? What do you take them?
Anything from Trader Joe's, if they are unfortunate enough to not have one in their area.
posted by mdonley at 8:14 AM on August 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mdonley at 8:14 AM on August 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
The obvious answer used to be See's Candy. mdonley is right that a big old box of TJ's goodies is still a pretty good present if it's not available locally, especially if they used to live near one and have favorites. If your travel is reasonably short and you have time in the morning to go grab some, fresh La Brea Bakery bread has never gone amiss.
I've never brought Intelligentsia coffee as a gift for anyone, but that's because I never thought of it before right now. However, next time I go anyplace far, that's what I'm taking:)
posted by troublesome at 8:30 AM on August 1, 2011
I've never brought Intelligentsia coffee as a gift for anyone, but that's because I never thought of it before right now. However, next time I go anyplace far, that's what I'm taking:)
posted by troublesome at 8:30 AM on August 1, 2011
Oh! How about some perfect, ripe-the-day-you-arrive-there avocados? Hit up your local farmer's market for extra locavore goodness.
posted by mdonley at 8:39 AM on August 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mdonley at 8:39 AM on August 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
See's Candy from a store, not the airport cart!
You'll find a better selection of seasonal candies and you can customize your gift box.
The main store is not too far from the airport, so, stop by on your way out!
3431 S LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90016
Phone: (310) 559-4919
posted by calgirl at 10:36 AM on August 1, 2011
You'll find a better selection of seasonal candies and you can customize your gift box.
The main store is not too far from the airport, so, stop by on your way out!
3431 S LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90016
Phone: (310) 559-4919
posted by calgirl at 10:36 AM on August 1, 2011
Philippe's mustard has always been a fav for me when I'm in LA...
http://www.philippes.com/
posted by stenseng at 11:01 AM on August 1, 2011
http://www.philippes.com/
posted by stenseng at 11:01 AM on August 1, 2011
In addition to TJs which is always a good choice, I've gotten kids tchotchkes (the correct spelling BTW) in Chinatown. Fans, bracelets, shoes, dragons/lions, pajamas, etc
posted by Sophie1 at 12:10 PM on August 1, 2011
posted by Sophie1 at 12:10 PM on August 1, 2011
Honestly, we're lazy so we just bring Sees Candy which always seems to be appreciated. But if you wanted to do something different how about...
Handmade mochi candy from Fugetsu-do in Little Tokyo. It's been there for over 100 years and I just love them! There are lots of little shops around there for other cool japanese gifts...washi tape, toys, etc
Hecho en Venice t-shirts. My husband bought them for everyone in his family. You can find them at the surf shops in Venice.
Every time my sister comes we have to go to Joan's on Third for stuff. I love the pickles there (but hard to transport I think.) Otherwise, they sell candy/ sea salt caramels/handmade marshmallows from the Little Flower Candy Company. Down the street is another gourmet store with local goodies at The Little Next Door.
posted by hellochula at 1:12 PM on August 1, 2011
Handmade mochi candy from Fugetsu-do in Little Tokyo. It's been there for over 100 years and I just love them! There are lots of little shops around there for other cool japanese gifts...washi tape, toys, etc
Hecho en Venice t-shirts. My husband bought them for everyone in his family. You can find them at the surf shops in Venice.
Every time my sister comes we have to go to Joan's on Third for stuff. I love the pickles there (but hard to transport I think.) Otherwise, they sell candy/ sea salt caramels/handmade marshmallows from the Little Flower Candy Company. Down the street is another gourmet store with local goodies at The Little Next Door.
posted by hellochula at 1:12 PM on August 1, 2011
Not LA specific, but I try to bring things representative of what people think of when they think "California." For me it's See's, wine, cheese, and fancy dried fruit, nuts, and olives. Trader Joes is good for the fruit. nuts, and chocolate if you don't mind the lack of presentation.
If they have younger folks in the family I'll bring something having to do with the ocean, surfing, or lifeguarding. For one person I brought tie-dye with pot-leaf paraphenalia, but they were especially interested in the Emerald Triangle's wares. If I lived in LA, I'd probably bring something from the movie industry. I seem to remember they sold bits of old film reel and such, but maybe that's too old fashioned these days.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:17 PM on August 1, 2011
If they have younger folks in the family I'll bring something having to do with the ocean, surfing, or lifeguarding. For one person I brought tie-dye with pot-leaf paraphenalia, but they were especially interested in the Emerald Triangle's wares. If I lived in LA, I'd probably bring something from the movie industry. I seem to remember they sold bits of old film reel and such, but maybe that's too old fashioned these days.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:17 PM on August 1, 2011
Mexican hot chocolate mix in the six-sided box travels well, is cheap and very tasty. You can find it in most markets on the east side of town. Waldo Ward jams are wonderful, and they will ship a gift basket if you don't want to carry the jars. Clifton's is selling off their old cafeteria trays while supplies last (a new design was introduced this summer). Rooster Sauce is no longer a good gift because you can get it almost anywhere. I don't like those pillowy Graber Olives at all, but some people love them, and they're a regional specialty.
posted by Scram at 7:04 PM on August 1, 2011
posted by Scram at 7:04 PM on August 1, 2011
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posted by pazazygeek at 8:10 AM on August 1, 2011 [2 favorites]