UK presents for the folks 'back home'

I know there's an old thread about this, but I can't find it.

What sorts of things do you take over to the US from the UK as presents for people back in the US?

For some of the people who are really into cooking, I take local cookbooks, for those who are interested in history, or just love to read I take books about the history of my town and county. The kids seem to love shirts, bears/lions with England shirts which can be found at pound shops, and/or hats. I do things like that to be able to take for everyone without a lot of weight in the suitcase in addition to a few weeks' worth of clothes.

Last summer I brought a bottle of Pimms and ginger wine.   My folks were waxing nostalgic about Stone's Ginger Wine one day and neither one of them had ever tried Pimms so it went over a treat!  It was the only time in my life that was drunk with my mother. 

Thanks for this thread- we're attending a wedding next month and have been trying to think of a nice present to bring from here.  Will be keeping an eye out!!

First time I visited the now in-laws, I brought a bottle of port. Went down very well, but despite all my warnings they drank it like wine 

It was the only time in my life that was drunk with my mother. 

I get drunk with my mother several times each visit!

I always have to bring back shortbread biscuits for my mom. She loves them, and thinks they're better than the ones they get there... For my dad, I usually bring back a variety box of biscuits. I've also brought back tea, toffee, cider, and beer. I have done the t shirts and other touristy things, but what can I say. My family prefers food.

I always have to bring back shortbread biscuits for my mom. She loves them, and thinks they're better than the ones they get there... For my dad, I usually bring back a variety box of biscuits. I've also brought back tea, toffee, cider, and beer. I have done the t shirts and other touristy things, but what can I say. My family prefers food.

We always take back tea for my mom & 1 of my friends they absolutely love it, shortbread cookies for my stepdad, specialty English choc, an just your everyday choc candy bars as well, variety of cookies. we have done the t-shirts & touristy stuff as well but like PL said my mom & family prefers food instead lol.  

This year DW is buying the Queen's Golden Jubilee stuff to take over as gifts. She found some Jubilee coffee mugs at just 99p so shes got a couple of those as gifts!

 

I used to bring tea towels for my mum -- and now I have to live with them 

I saw these cute telephone box shopping bags today at a local deli. Can't find any stockists online, though.

Thanks for the replies.  Unfortunately most of the suggestions won't work for my family, but I appreciate the comments.

Also, i found the other existing thread I was looking for, if anyone's interested.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=72278.0

Thanks for the replies.  Unfortunately most of the suggestions won't work for my family, but I appreciate the comments.

Also, i found the other existing thread I was looking for, if anyone's interested.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=72278.0

Thank you, I'm flying back on Thursday, and still need pick up some last minute goodies!

I've brought lots of things back over the years, but I have had the best luck with those novelty tins of biscuits from Marks and Sparks. Everyone seems to love them!

My family are just... difficult.  They disapprove of alcohol, and live a ridiculously healthy lifestyle which doesn't include biscuits or sweets or any kind of 'junk' food.  My sister's kids are not allowed that type of food either.
They are also extremely fashion-conscious, so wouldn't wear a souvenir t-shirt or hat, and they are antique dealers who use their home as their showcase (people make appointments to come and view items in their home), so they wouldn't really welcome souvenir-type things that wouldn't fit in with their decor.  

In the past, I have given the kids CDs and been told to take them back, as they only listen to Christian rock.  And I've brought various food things, which were rejected.  (Mom actually threw the Rafi's curry spice packs in the bin, because 'they stank'.)  They did like lemon curd at the time, but I think now that would have too much sugar for their tastes/health concerns.

However, I loved the idea of magazines (home interiors, antiques, Period Home, etc)... I've done that in the past and they loved them.  Tea towels would be good as well.

I think now I am just thinking about what to bring back for the kids... a sporty 11-year old boy (I've previously given him a Scotland football top, which he didn't seem all that interested in), and a 15-year old girl who is an actress and singer in local and school drama clubs.

And on the other hand, I am (somewhat bitterly, perhaps?)thinking... why do i feel the need to take presents at all?  I am the one who is laying out all the money to come visit..., I am the one who has a lot of financial stress after losing my job a couple of years ago and having to take a low-paying job just to stay afloat.   They are the ones who have *everything*, so... do I even need to be thinking about this stuff?

Follow your gut instinct. If they are unappreciative of what you have given in the past, then save your money.