UK friends- need suggestions!

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

OK, so DH is in England for the first time and returning later this week.

(Hopefully he can get back on time depending on this weeks storm. AND, hopefully this is only his first time, so we can eventually travel over with him!!!!!)

what can he bring me?????? I already told him to bring back Cadbury chocolate. Any other ideas on good things to bring back for DD12 and I? He may not have much time to shop. He will be staying his last night right near Heathrow and may have time at the airport the next day.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[cherjp]

hi

I would say definately chocolate! what about some shortbread might get that at airport too.

Good guide book if you are planning to come with him next time.

 

[ukstitch]

how about jaffa cakes? They're always portrayed as being something you can't get in the US, so they might be worth bringing home.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

great ideas!

is the shortbread better than what we have here?

I just looked up Jaffa cakes - those look awwesome! I love orange and chocolate!!!!

one more question: are the teas better there? We brought some Twinings back from Epcot and Twinings is available in our stores. Is there better tea to be had in England that we try?

(DH went to a pie shop/restaurant and sent me pics of a castle outside the front steps of his hotel...I am sooo jealous!)

thank you so much!!!

 

[Dimplenose]

I love reading foreign magazines maybe you'd enjoy it if he brought some British ones back.

Tea is a very personal choice - I think we generally like a stronger brew than most Americans. Twinings is a very good make but other popular brands are PG Tips, Typhoo and Tetley.

 

[cherjp]

great ideas!

is the shortbread better than what we have here?

I just looked up Jaffa cakes - those look awwesome! I love orange and chocolate!!!!

one more question: are the teas better there? We brought some Twinings back from Epcot and Twinings is available in our stores. Is there better tea to be had in England that we try?

(DH went to a pie shop/restaurant and sent me pics of a castle outside the front steps of his hotel...I am sooo jealous!)

thank you so much!!!

Shortbread - depends on whether its made in scotland or not!!!

Has he had the chance to go to harrods at all, some nice wee souvenirs there, overpriced but nice gifts!

Jaffa cakes are a great idea. if you love chocolate and orange what about a terrys chocolate orange, different types of those now too.

Tea as had been said before is personal choice, I like tetley myself.

You should come over yourself next time and go crazy buying stuff!!

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Tetley all the way - I refuse to drink anything else

Perhaps a box of Quality Streets? I think there quite UK specific chocolate too as well as cadburys.

 

[Pegasus928]

Maybe see if he can pick up a recipe or cook book so you can try some British fayre at home before giving it a go over here.
What is your DD into? Build-a-Bear is getting quite big over here. Maybe he could get one of those with a typical British costume (or is 12 too old fot that sort of thing?)

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Shortbread - depends on whether its made in scotland or not!!!

Has he had the chance to go to harrods at all, some nice wee souvenirs there, overpriced but nice gifts!

Jaffa cakes are a great idea. if you love chocolate and orange what about a terrys chocolate orange, different types of those now too.

Tea as had been said before is personal choice, I like tetley myself.

You should come over yourself next time and go crazy buying stuff!!

we are hoping this "project" goes over well and this becomes a regular thing! Not that I want him traveling overseas all the time, but I would LOVE to see England, Scotland, and where ever we can get to!!!! This would help with cost since he would bring us over while he is there for work and his business would pick up cost of his flight and the hotel for the nights he would already be there! We would just have to pay for 2 airfares (or use some miles) and the hotel nights we extend the vacation beyond his work.

Thank you ALL for these really good suggestions - I am taking notes and am going to email him tonight!!!

I saw there is a Herrods at the airport and am looking online for ideas. DD is really into the Beatles now and some of the little bears also look nice. Will have to double check prices though.

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

If your daughter is into the Beatles, PAST TIMES have some interesting sixties stuff such as an alarm clock and other Beatles Items,

http://www.pasttimes.com (do a search on Beatles)

There are a few of their stores in London. I second the Terry's Chocolate Orange! Thorntons is also good for chocolate, scots tablet and their special toffee (my favorite is the liquorice toffee!), and for some reason, I think I should recommend Mark's and Spencer's Percy Pigs . They are a gummy kind of sweet but IMO they are nicer than the sweets you can get in the US. We also find it really hard to get a good marmalade out there, you might not like marmalade though. Someone got us a selection of marmalades and jams with whiskey and champagne in once and we loved them, I've seen them in London gift shops and the food halls in Harrods, Selfridges etc will have them. Also, I DO like Twinnings much more than most teabags here, and we have tried alot! Tetley's are fine though but I just prefer the strength and taste of Twinnings.

Hope he brings you back lots of goodies!

 

[Jets fan]

I have a friend from the US who absolutely loves Marks and Spencer goodies, also marmite. Marmite is an acquired taste, but you have to try it as it's completely different from Vegemite. Harrods at the airport usually have some great deals on Scottish shortbread and English teas, they also sell Harrods shopping bags, which my American friends love.

When my friend comes to the UK he always shops at Heathrow as they have so many shops in the airport and it's tax free, so affordable. WH Smith at the airport sell chocolate and magazines at very reasonable prices.

Hope your DH had a great trip.

Tina

 

[Muscateer]

Cream Eggs, Scottish Blend teabags, proper bacon, white and black puddings are always on our list of take backs from UK and any visitors coming for their holidays get charged these for their accomodation and tour guide

 

[ScotScroogeMcDuck]

Irn Bru!!! (soft drink)!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

thank you all for ideas! I've given him a short list, so we'll see what he brings back if he gets enough time to shop tomorrow night or at the airport!

 

[cherjp]

remember and tell us what he brought back and if you liked it.