What English stuff do Americans like?

[wendym]

Pepperidge Farm Finz Cheddar Crackers 200g £1.39 - got that info from the tesco online shopping part.
Wendy

 

[kev kendall]

Hi. Heinz baked beans? How about an English Rose plant/seeds (not sure if you'd get them through?!) Blackpool Rock and a Kiss me Quick hat!

 

[londonpenguin]

Chocolate. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Those really yummy cylindrical tins of biscuits (cookies) from Fortnum & Mason. Cheesy souvenir stuff like a London taxi keychain, a Harrods doorman dish towel, a Big Ben magnet. I once bought all the people on my souvenir list oven mitts from Harrods. Big hit! Plus, useful. Containers of chocolate covered nuts and cocoa dusted almonds from Harrods Food Halls. Someone mentioned posters: how about those nifty old-time posters of places to go by Tube or bus that you can get at the London Transport Museum? For the kids, I've got a ruler that has measurement on one side and a list of all British rulers since William the Conqueror, and also a playing card-like game with British monarchs.

Personally, I like to buy Boots' own-brand products, like hand lotion, etc. But then, I'm a drugstore (chemist) junkie! I could spend hours in Boots!

And did I mention chocolate? Man. I really need to get back to England sometime soon!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Harry Potter!

 

[michellejed]

DH would like a translation of all you wonderful phrases
and I would love a clip off of an antique rose bush but I don't think you could bring it into the US on your own, we have some here that claim to be but I don't think they are.
I also would love a proper tea pot.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

How funny that this thread is going on at the same time as the "What do you take back to Britain?" thread. As previously stated, on that thread, we always bring back Cadbury's (the filled easter eggs are absolutely fab...the ones in the US don't have the yellow "yolk" inside). Depending on where you are in the US, scotch whisky is pretty available, but Bushmills is the only Irish whiskey that is exported to the states (that I know of). Also, I think you all have a wider variety of Baileys kinds of mixed liquers than we do. Christmas crackers & pudding are also a great idea (I have no idea why you wouldn't be able to take crackers in packed luggage unless there's a trace of some kind of explosive that would set off a machine...very odd). All the ideas listed so far have been good (even the Marmite, which I would put it in a ziploc just in case )

 

[liamandcaili]

I love those Cadbury chocolates that come in a long stick and just melt in your mouth or taste delicious crumbled over ice cream. Also, the chocolate/orange bars are wonderful.

As for tea, nothing is better than English Breakfast Tea in London...I get the bagged Twinings version here, but it just isn't the same.

Clotted cream, scones, Harrods chocolate chip cookies -- all YUM.

If your friends have young children, Paddington Bear is a favorite. On my last visit to London, I bought my son a soft, squishy Paddington Bear that is now one of my DD's favorites.

If no children...visit Harrod's wine cellar. All sorts of great things there, as I recall, and most can't be had here. I bought my father a book on Harrod's wine selections that he still likes to read now and then (I bought it in 1991). It's unpractical, but I would really enjoy one of those tankers that look like gasoline trucks but are filled with great beer that I've see filling the tanks of the English pubs.

Overall, people just like getting gifts. Whenever I buy for someone, I always buy something I would like to receive. For the most part, that has served me well. Have fun!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Anyone got any idea which English products are desirable to Americans?

Wedgewood, Real Ales, Single Malts (Scottish?)

Andrew

 

[angel659]

How about a book of slang?

I recently gave one of these to a French student who was working with us and it really helped him out.

Its amazing how often we use slang without realising it.

If not, how about some traditional fudge, an English flag?, a red phone box money tin.. only fools and horses dvd?

 

[Danauk]

My American friends love real English Cadburys chocolate. They say it tastes better than the Cadburys chocolate made in America!

 

[wishspirit]

When i went over there, i tried a Hershey bar, it was HORRID! I am so glad of English chocolate. Maybe thats a good thing to bring. The american licorice i tasted was disgusting too. Maybe that?

 

[gbrchill]

Christmas crackers & pudding are also a great idea (I have no idea why you wouldn't be able to take crackers in packed luggage unless there's a trace of some kind of explosive that would set off a machine...very odd).

The crack in the cracker is explosive and hence prohibited from both checked or hand baggage.

Chris.

 

[prue]

Poundland has a cricket set!!! that would please the us customs!!

Rustic chic (or 'old woman stuff' as my dh calls its!!) - anything from a shop called CATH KIDSTON (www.cathkidston.co.uk), she has lovely, pretty, floral, girly things!! Like aprons, bags, kitchen goodies, china, bedlinen,tablecloths, napkins, do look at the website, i love it, its a real treat and gloriously english!! They wrap beautifully which also should please us customs!!

What about the buckingham palace/windsor castle gift shops?? i dont have any info on them but they do exist!!

Any good bookshop with latest english novel, cookbook etc

Anything from Whittards, brilliant tea and coffee pots etc.

Hope that helps, prue

 

[arieljasmine]

I recently bought an American friend of mine an American to English dictionary which I found in a touristy shop whilst on holiday in Stratford. That went down really well, and I enjoyed reading it too!

ArielJasmine

 

[Rex Rules]

I love the idea for the Union Jack. Although I have never been to Great Britain, I have always dreamed of going. I had a massive amount of British history in college and am just waiting for my someday to come when I can go!

I also love anything to do with the Queen or Prince Phillip. Well, not those silly plates - those are vile. But most anything else.

How about one of those dolls that look like the Beefeater Guards. Those are great. Also Paddington is a great idea!

 

[londonpenguin]

I think I previously mentioned chocolate (and in case I didn't: chocolate!), but I forgot to say Hob-Nobs. Mmmmmm! Hob-Nobs!

 

[daisax]

the filled easter eggs are absolutely fab...the ones in the US don't have the yellow "yolk" inside).​

Every one I've ever had had the yellow yolk inside. ?? They don't in Seattle?

I had an English friend whose family would send her digestive biscuits when we were in school. We ate those right away!

Royal Family memorabilia can be fun.


The Harrods stuff is a good idea. People are label conscious. I see people on public transportation carrying things in Harrods bags -- obviously they didn't just come from the store!

And I have a tin of shortbread heritage biscuits from Harrods in my work desk drawer. It's pretty. Don't know what I'll do with it (cookies were delicious!) but it's too pretty to throw out.

 

[paulh]

if going easter take some hot x buns as well as the cream eggs if christmas take chrismas pudding and mince pies most all take yourself
Paulh

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I am really enjoying hearing everyone's suggestions- and my shopping list is getting bigger and bigger!!!!

Mandy

 

[disneyholic family]

well if it's food, i love those scottish shortbread bisquits, but you can actually buy them in WDW...
personally i'd go for something more along the lines of a souvenir...
something inexpensive but tradtionally british..
or even a stupid souvenir from harrods or something like that...(or a tiny paddington bear or something like that)...
it's really the thought that counts...