<p>My D is spending the next semester in Geneva Switzerland (Aug-Dec). She will, for a time, be living with a host family. They need to bring gifts, preferably related to the USA or regional. I have no data about the host family.</p>
<p>Any ideas?</p>
<p>we agonized over this, esp. as there were significant cultural differences (my d is in the Middle East) - finally sent chocolate and a coffee table book from our area (state)…we went to visit and took personal gifts but I really don’t think that is necessary - by then your d will have adapted to her family…</p>
<p>I’ve had kids stay with me from England and N.Ireland - they brought small mementos - English china cups - Irish Linen tea towel…if you are in NY state - just think of your area as NYC and send some “New York” stuff… my one Irish kid said her family loved American peanut butter…which I sent later as a birthday gift ( Peanut butter - $3…mailing - $20!)</p>
<p>I agree with memphismom that a book featuring photos of your home “city” (whether that be your actual city or not- very true that to internationals Buffalo equates NYC!). I have also found sports memorabilia to be a fun gift, such as little keychains of mascots, as well as some staple American games, like Uno and Monopoly. Even if there is a language barrier, the nice thing about a board game is it allows you to teach the family some English while spending some quality bonding time.</p>
<p>^ Careful with the board games though. It depends a lot on the country of course, but Monopoly and Uno are for example are very popular in Germany and other European countries so not necessarily the ideal gift. Nevertheless, if they aren’t well known/available (check beforehand) in the country one is going to, it’s a great idea.</p>
<p>Actually the Abroad101 blog just posted tips for choosing gifts for host families! Here’s the link:
[Abroad101:</a> Welcome Abroad: Host Families and Gifts From Home!](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/dg5HB0]Abroad101:”>http://■■■■■■/dg5HB0)</p>
<p>Don’t give anyone from Switzerland - land of amazing chocolate - plastic chocolate from America!</p>
<p>All Americans are obsessed with peanut butter and somehow think they are civilising the world by dishing it out. Newsflash - you can buy this in supermarkets all over the world (google Tesco or Carrefour for example). Also, most Europeans don’t like peanuts all that much. They tend to use hazelnuts instead (eg use of Nutella instead of peanut butter).</p>
<p>Bear in mind the “I am a Great American bearing gifts on you poor deprived heathens” attitude doesn’t really go down that well! That’s how it comes across, the explaining what peanut butter is. It may come as a surprise to you that not everyone on in the world longs to be American, and also they are not 100% ignorant about America.</p>
<p>I suggest the tourist trinkets such as the I heart NY things discussed above.</p>
<p>you may be speaking generally about peanut butter - I am speaking from a specific situation where a visiting child told how much her family adored Aermican peanut butter…</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone. </p>
<p>We have purchased a I heart NY bag tote bag and a NY Yankees baseball cap (think JZ–rap is loved all over). We are also thinking some NY maple syrup and a package of pancake mixture and some penny candy (ring pop, candy necklace, candy lips, etc) for kids. Also a packet or two of “sillybands” (all the rage w/ kids and teens in this country.) All of these things are inexpensive and lightweight (except syrup).</p>
<p>I’d still love some other ideas. I’ve heard cosmetics are expensive and not readily like we have in drug stores. I saw some cute spf30 lip balm keychains on QVC today. Good idea? Any family gift ideas?</p>
<p>Interestingly cupcake, D1 spent some time in Switzerland. (D2 is now going, but a completely different program) She came home w/ lots of Toblerone as gifts. But Toblerone is owned by Kraft, an American company. D1 also said it is difficult to get chocolate chips in Switzerland. We thought maybe sending them w/ a cchip cookie mixture package would be interesting.</p>
<p>Again, keep ideas coming.</p>
<p>We’re from Connecticut and I’m also thinking maple syrup (although it will probably end up being from Vermont). Any ideas out there?</p>