<p>Hi folks - I stumbled on this site recently and it seems to contain an extraordinary amount of information as well as knowledgeable posters. I'd be grateful for advice on appropriate host/hostess gifts for my child to take on a summer exchange to Cairo. My husband and I have never been to Egypt, and I'm at a loss as to what might be useful and appreciated by the very generous family who will be surrogate summer parents.</p>
<p>If you have a local art that your area is know for, you could send a small example of that. For example, when my daughter studied in France, we sent an art glass paperweight (Seattle is known for its art glass). </p>
<p>Your child should also take photographs of the family, the dog, the town, etc., because part of this is mutual cultural exchange...</p>
<p>We hosted a German exchange student a few years back. She brought us a book about the history of her city in Germany, German candy, a scarf (from Spain!), beer glasses beautifully painted (for hubby and I) and small backpack's (which were hugely popular) for our daughters. All the gifts were wonderful and appreciated! We especially liked the book about her town where she grew up.</p>
<p>I was going to suggest a basket of stuff from your area-- special foods, or wines, or preserves; I like the book idea too. There is a great coffee-table photography book called "Day in the Life of America" that might be appropriate.</p>
<p>If the family has children your D could bring T-shirts from your state or city. A coffee table book of photos of your area of the country. Also pencils or pens that are decorative.
Definitely bring photos of her hometown and family. My D's host family asked to keep a photo of my D. So an extra photo would be good. Since we are from a coastal town and my D was going to an area far from the ocean she brought some inexpensive ocean related gifts just to have just in case. One think that was suggested to her was to have an assortment of postcards from our town and she gave them to some of the people she met.
She ended up doing two homestays and only had gifts for one family. Her 2nd family was rural and she just had a few things left over. They loved her postcard of the ocean and whales and put it up on their wall. She also brought some whale stickers that her young host brother loved. They also were enamored with her travel alarm clock so she left that with them along with the extra batteries.
Also my D ended up giving her baseball cap to her host father who had admired it.</p>
<p>We lived in Costa Rica for several years, and found that young kids got really excited about receiving the latest small action figures (I think it was Batman at the time) because they were so much more expensive there. (I know. . . junk culture . . . ) Books or art or food items with recipes particular to your state (for us Minnesotans it's wild rice) are great for the big folks.</p>
<p>My son stayed with a host family (actually one older woman) this spring break in Spain. He gave her a big Yankee Candle in the Macintoch Apple scent and a box of See's candies. He said she really liked it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
He gave her a big Yankee Candle in the Macintoch Apple scent and a box of See's candies.
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PrimetimeMom~
Ummmmmmmm, your son would be welcome here ANYTIME!!!! I am a Yankee Candle freak!! <em>lol</em> :)</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Some time back, my daughter took some gift food that is only available in our area of the country. While she was there she listened to her hosts' large library of music (from a lot of different countries). When she got home she mailed back American CD's that she thought they would like.</p>
<p>Some gifts are interpreted differently in different cultures. For example, in France you should never bring wine if you go to someone's house for a meal because it may not go with the meal or it implies that they can't serve a full meal on their own (or something along those lines, it's very rude). Certain flowers mean certain things. I don't know anything about Egyptian culture, so you may want to look it up just to be safe.</p>
<p>If host family is not a rich consider something useful like decorative blanket, shawl, teapot, tools, etc. My observation that for the family of not big means gift that is practical is more appreciated. Of course if the family on the wealthy side they might more appreciate local art, etc. I also know that Egypt is home of all french parfume so you might want to skip any gifts of that kind.</p>
<p>Great thread topic. Our DS is studying in Russia this summer and we had asked a Russian friend for his suggestions for the host family. He recommended that if there are children in the family, it would be important to recognize them with gifts and then just give something token for the parents. Still looking for concrete ideas, I discovered this UK site on cultural differences, hospitality, protocol for many nations that may be helpful.
<a href="http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/communications/visitrep02_app_a.html#170%5B/url%5D">http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/communications/visitrep02_app_a.html#170</a></p>