Originally Posted by
number_6
I looked at that list and disagree completely -- most items are too taste specific, and things like Obama T-shirts ... how US-centric can an "ugly american" be? Perhaps the worst possible taste in a gift to a random foreigner. Plus it is easily obtained in Australia already.
Yes, that list was revolting.
To the OP: either think about the people you are visiting and what they would like. Personalise. Or find something unique that might not be immediately thought of as from you country and give that.
For example, on the last two visits to my family in Germany (I'm Australian) I took along:
1. A bag of macadamia nuts in the shell with special macadamia nut crackers. Weighed 2 kg per gift and left plenty of space for bringing stuff back. Most people don't realise macadamias are Australian bushfoods and they were well received.
2. Scarves made of a blend of possum fur and merino wool. They were extraordinarily nice and ultra-light weight at only about 50 grams per scarf. People adored them.
Can you think of some US equivalents? Something uniquely American but flexible and allowed under our quarantine restrictions? A bottle of good bourbon is the first thing that comes to my mind but I am sure that there are many other things. Sheepskin moccasins are popular here as slippers - is there any sort of indigenous craft that similar but different?
Audrey