Gift for foreign visitors to the US?

[scientific]

As those of you who helped me with restaurant recs know, I've been entertaining some foreign visitors to the US this past week. They will be leaving some time next week and I'd like to send some sort of gift back with them as a souvenir/memento of their trip.

Any suggestions? If it does not have "made in China" stamped on it that is a plus. They've been to NYC and DC , so something like a statue of the Capitol/Statue of Liberty/etc would be a baseline option, but maybe you can help me brainstorm something classier.

 

[globetrotter]

bourbon, team shirts, twinkies/and or other american snacks, postcard books. I usually have a gift basket like this made for my foriegn guests.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Something usable/tasty. I hate the regular corporate-style gifts.

If they haven't been to the US before, maybe a bit of americana: classic, good-quality baseball caps like the ones from Cooperstown Co., Zippos, classic Buck knives, bourbon, nice Cali wines that are unobtainable or too expensive abroad, architecture/art books on specifically US stuff...what's your budget?

 

[scientific]

no fixed budget per se ... maybe $0-200? both of those are some good ideas that I might include as a separate bundle to take back, but I'm thinking of something more permanent. (also alcohol is off limits.)

they've already given an ornamental object to my family so something in kind seems appropriate. on the other hand something utilitarian would be valued. maybe some kind of decorative bowl, etc ... ??

 

[divitius]

How about 30 extra pounds and no health care

Just brainstorming here, but maybe: nice Levi's selvedge jeans ( those are still made here, right?), quality cowboy hats (or even tricorn hats), an Amish quilt, Vermont maple syrups, Spirit of St. Louis model, antique V-J Day newspaper. How about a Bowie knife?

This post brought to you by Bacardi Select.

 

[Crane's]

A Browning knife? LOL. Most of them aren't made here anymore. If you add a knife to your goodie basket make it a Case knife.

 

[imageWIS]

Nothing says American more than unredeemable debt obligations: get him some SIV's.

 

[acidboy]

would alcohol be offensive to their culture? if not, small batch bourbon would be a great gift.

 

[Britalian]

one of the Stars and Stripes lapel pins.

 

[unjung]

I believe it is customary for American political figures to give DVDs to visitors.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by scientific

no fixed budget per se ... maybe $0-200? both of those are some good ideas that I might include as a separate bundle to take back, but I'm thinking of something more permanent. (also alcohol is off limits.)

they've already given an ornamental object to my family so something in kind seems appropriate. on the other hand something utilitarian would be valued. maybe some kind of decorative bowl, etc ... ??

the trouble is, so little is actually made here. how about a nice coffee table book on somethign american? the national parks, or archetecture?

 

[willpower]

Photo Book on NYC http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/cata..._of_a_city.htm http://www.time.com/time/audioslide/...021913,00.html Fudge Candy Burt's Bees Products All things Elvis Jazz Music Vermont Syrup Locally made Soaps and Pottery Amish Quilts Kona Coffee Beans Macadamia Nuts

 

[BrianVarick]

I like the idea of a photo book. One of the cities or national parks would be nice.

 

[impolyt_one]

If they are from Asia, get them some nice beef jerky

On the same token, salad dressings are nice, Minnesota wild rice, maybe a gift-packed Mexican/Tex-mex set from a nicer store like W-S, and in general a lot of the basic lowbrow stuff you take for granted in America is usually not found or badly copied in the rest of the world. Unique BBQ sauce, bottled condiments in general; they're not FINE DINING but they'd be fun to take home to Germany or Japan or something.

 

[impolyt_one]

American-made honey and pure maple syrup would be good as well, both can be mega expensive overseas.