We will be spending toward the end of our trip in June/July two nights with friends in Tirano and then two nights with my husband's 81 y.o. aunt and uncle in Varna (small village N. of Bressanone).
We appreciate the generosity of both of these sets of folks in taking in our rather large (and lively) family of six -- any suggestions on appropriate host/hostess gifts? (BTW, the 81 y.o. aunt is something of a health nut, doesn't drink and eats only raw foods). Are there Italian customs or etiquette we should be aware of? While I would love to think of the perfect thing from the NW of the US(particularly for the aunt and uncle who have never been here) we will also be travelling for three weeks before these visits so don't want to be lugging too much. Or, it would be even easier to find something in Tuscany, Rome or Umbria where we will go first. Thank you!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Tracy, to start the ball rolling, see this previous thread on the topic. Do bring them something American, yes, rather than from some other part of Italy, though.
Thank you! I should have known that Slow Travelers would have discussed this already! I will think about what items from the NW/Oregon might be good to take. We have some locally owned stores descriptively called "Made in Oregon" and I will peruse their offerings. Or, as we want to take some wine home maybe I will get one of those nifty wine carriers to take some Oregon pinot noirs over (carrier to be refilled with wines from Italy for the return trip). Are Oregon wines readily available in Italy? (Will still have to think of something for auntie but uncle, cousins and friends might like the wine!)
Tracy, In October I was taking many, many gifts and worrying about packing them. I actually had one whole suitcase of nothing but gifts. (which was my empty suitcase for all my purchases). Part of the reason was that I was going to be seeing so many friends on that trip. For all the women, I took apron sets. I went to Garden Ridge and bought "made in the USA" printed apron with matching oven mitts and dish towels. They were made out of heavy canvas fabric with big pockets and adjustable neck straps. The prints were kind of a country style American Flag and apple pie motif. For the men, I brought baseball caps representing the professional sports teams in my town. Except, for one of the men (who owns my favorite restaurant) I also brought a CocaCola apron and bar towels. Then I brought about a dozen small fancy bottles of my homemade Green Tea and Jasmine liqueur to give to people. At Garden Ridge crafts section, I bought a supply of canvas tote bags. (They kind people do puff-paint projects on). Big ones for the aprons and small ones for the liqueurs. I packed those and by adding bright colored tissue paper I did the gift wrapping one at a time just before I saw the person. I also took along some masculine printed small paper tote bags for the baseball caps. I just heard from a friend this week that when she went to the restaurant of one of my friends and told them I had sent her, they pulled her back in the kitchen to show here the aprons displayed on hooks on the wall. Now I have to figure out how to get them to USE them! By the way, I counted myself pretty lucky to get through security at both St. Louis and Detroit without having my bag searched. Don't know what they would have thought of the liqueur. I was prepared to have it confiscated though.
Oven mits or pot holders is a very good idea - I have a hard time finding good ones in Italy. I wouldn't bring Oregon wine - too heavy and I would bet they won't like wine not from Italy.
Even though it can be a bit heavy to carry, I usually bring a nice coffee-table book with loads of pictures of Washington, DC, and environs (where I live). You might do something similar. I find it's something all members of the family enjoy, and it gives them some context for where you live and what your life is like - and often results in YOU having visitors in return!
Posts: 426 | Location: USA/France | Registered: 08 May 2002
Tracy - If some of your relatives have small children, what about a picture book that may have the Oregon area as the setting? For me, 'Make Way for Ducklings' is a terrific book, has Boston for the setting and, for adults, I could add a pin or a plate with the ducklings motif. Books are always my first choice. Good luck!
Posts: 265 | Location: Massachusetts | Registered: 09 June 2002
Are CD's a good choice? I have used these as gifts several times. They are more expensive in Italy than in the US, and my Italian friends always seem interested in the latest releases. Tasteful ones of course.
Posts: 2054 | Location: Suburban Philadelphia | Registered: 08 July 2002
quote:Originally posted by NanB: Oops! Just re-read your original post. Its highly unlikely that your relatives would have small children, but maybe your friends?
Nan, while the 81 y.o. aunt and uncle don't have small children, their grandaughter (my husband's first cousin's daughter) does and I love your idea of children's books for them!
The coffee table book is a good idea for the "olders" too -- there's a lovely one by a talented Oregon photographer, Ray Atkinson, that would be right up this alley. Love all the ideas -- thanks and keep 'em coming!
P.S. Pauline I think you're right about the wine -- wouldn't want to lug expensive Oregon pinot all over the place when folks would rather just have the wonderful local stuff!
I agree on the coffee table book of photos - a nice idea! Last trip I brought some postcards of the Santa Fe area to show around (someone suggested that on the message board) then forgot where I put them, then forgot about them and only discovered them when unpacking at home!!! Note to self: Put them in your purse!
quote:Then I brought about a dozen small fancy bottles of my homemade Green Tea and Jasmine liqueur to give to people.
Love the packing ideas! And an excuse to take a suitcase that can come back FULL! (Of Italian ceramics? Ah, but that's another thread.)
BUT the reason I am posting (again) is that Deborah I was just studying your limoncello recipe and getting inspired the other day and now I see you do Green Tea and Jasmine liquer too? Do we have this recipe somewhere on the board? Sounds yummy -- and perhaps represents a health care solution in and of itself given all the beneficial properties of green tea?
Believe it or not, my families love California wine. It is a treat for them and also an enlightening experience that we can make great wine! LOL When they come to visit me they only drink American wines and marvel at the complexities and balance. I feel so proud! I also bring American cookbooks, muffin tins and muffin cookbooks with powder buttermilk ( they can't get it there, but I have taught them how to make it) and measuring cups and spoons. I've tried the pancake batter and maple syrup and it did not go over too well, too sweet for them. I was surprised the kids didn't like it, but the adults ate them ( maybe out of courtesy, I'm still not sure) We live close to the Lenox Corporation, so I bring a few small Lenox pieces for the women, they also like American cd's and cigarettes- they are very expensive over there. Those cute packaged cookies you find at William Sonoma, like lemon butter cookies are always a big hit with the women and the packaging is very pretty, just make sure it is made in the USA.
Thanks Patrizia with the US wine info - I was just guessing that some Italians may not like US wine because in some other thread people said not to bring food items because many Italians don't trust food from other places. So, maybe Oregon wine is a good idea!!
I brought little cans of New Mexico chilis on the last trip, but didn't get much of a reaction from people I gave them to. I can't remember now who I even gave them to...
Posts: 26620 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
Tracy, as complicated as the limoncello recipe is, the green tea and jasmine is sinfully simple. Plus, it is more akin to the more traditional herb based digestives Italians prefer. It has a tang to it from the tea and is not as sweet as some of the fruit recipes. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. The recipe is nothing more than steeping a high quality jasmine tea in vodka, straining and mixing with a smaller amount of simple sugar syrup than the more cordial type liqueurs. Because I don't use as much sugar syrup, I thicken slightly with glycerin. I also add a drop of green food coloring for interesting color. I'll try to dig out the full recipe and post it over on the new board. Oh, the tea brand I use is Sunflower Jasmine Tea. It comes in an orange tin.
I'm not so sure about bringing wine... it is really hard to go through a "do they like it or are they just being nice" thing. Most of the Italians I have met sniff at any other wine than their own (just like the French do.) But, perhaps one of the good fruit brandies or liqueurs from Oregon would be appreciated. Or a jar of berry jam or dried fruits from your region would be good. Maybe some Pacific Northwest smoked salmon? You are lucky to live in such an area of bounty - the possibilites are endless.
But Pauline, I LOVED the green chiles! I was able to make 3 batches of guacamole from that little tin. Basically, an Italian might not have a clue how to use them. Peperoncini are a very different thing, after all. I would really appreciate knowing how to make the fake buttermilk. It's something that adversely affects my American food offerings here. What I buy when I go back to the US are foreign spices and flavorings, dried eggwhites, coffee. My neighbor Olga prefers US roast coffee to Italian, as do I. I suppose that's rare, although I do make it strong, we like the toasted instead of charred taste.
Posts: 2774 | Location: Umbria | Registered: 13 September 2001
quote:Originally posted by decobabe: I would really appreciate knowing how to make the fake buttermilk. It's something that adversely affects my American food offerings here.
Judith, give me a call or send me an email. I have an extra container of powdered buttermilk that works wonders.
Shannon may have a point there about "do they like it or are they just being nice". Perhaps it is taking too much of a chance to give as a gift. I just know that my family looks forward to receiving American wines, the US wine they buy in Italy is not from the better vineyards so they had a really bad impression of our wines. I have a cousin in Congeliano who has a vineyard and makes Prosecco wine, but he always looks forward to the wines I bring and everyone sits around the table critiquing them.I love the look of surprise on their faces. From my experiences, the relatives that haven't been to the states think we consist of bad food and wine, I just like to change their perseption of us any time I can.
A lot of people mentioned maple syrup (which I take in metal tins or plastic jugs) and has been one of my more popular contributions. We make pancakes for Sunday breakfast for Maria Grazie and her daughters or for everyone at the commune. Maria Grazie's father in Cremona keeps his bottle on the counter and has a tablespoon every morning as if it's medicina. One note of caution is never to bring anyone crysanthemums as they are funereal. Why did I remember that? I often bring special biological skin cream products, which my women friends love.
Without knowing for sure, these are not great gifts, but I have Italian friends who ask for spices - lemon pepper, garlic powder and, yes I do not lie, Italian seasoning. And since I'm from New Orleans, I often take Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning - another big hit.
I can't imagine that you can't buy these in Italy, although I've never looked. Going through customs in Milano where there were dogs sniffing luggage gave me a little scare - I had to be the most fragrant passenger arriving.
Callie
Posts: 655 | Location: Maine | Registered: 23 November 2002
My cousins don't like maple syrup, but they do ask for Uncle Ben's Country Rices and Pepperidge Farm's Cinnamon Swirl Bread! I guess it just goes to show that we can't catagorize the 'typical' Italian likes and dislikes. Someone earlier posted not to bring food, so I think that has some validity to it, unless of course you know them well. LOL
quote:Originally posted by Patrizia: Someone earlier posted not to bring food, so I think that has some validity to it, unless of course you know them well.
Exactly, if they ask for a specific food product then great but if not don't bother (IMO) as most have no idea how to use a lot of the ingredients, can't use them because other products are not here or they do not have the right measuring items, etc.
I know people who were given wild rice. Since my friends had never had it they had no clue how to cook it and of course the instructions were in English. They got someone to translate but the instructions called for cups for measurment which they of course did not have. The rice turned out horribly to say the least.
Just remembered that I do have a suggestion that is a little different. I have made notecards from some of my best travel pictures--one set is of scenes and another is of faces. They are really quite nice--everyone loves them. I plan on taking sets with me next time and giving them to favorite people. Here is an example of the kind of picture that I use. Oops-guess not until I figure out how to insert picture with this new format. OK-I tried what Pauline said to do--3 times--and still am not doing it right. Help?
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