Gifts for someone you haven't met...help!

[Guest]

Hi Dibbers

I'm hoping you can inspire me

Long story short...

In a month my mum and I are going to Canada. We're going to visit my mums two brothers who we only found out existed in October. (My mum is 70, her brothers are 74 and 65 and the brothers have only just met each other despite living quite close...and that was because I set it all up from here!)

One of my newly discovered cousins has offered to put us up for the week. I have chatted to her via FB so know quite a bit about her, but I am at a loss as to what gifts to take over there to say thank you for putting us up. We'll take them out for a meal I'm sure but I'd like to take a couple of gifts that they can't get over there.

I was thinking of a Cath Kidson bag/purse as I thought that may be something that is quite English but also useful. It may be something they can't get over there.

Apart from that, and some chocolate I'm at a complete loss!

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas?

[Eeyore rocks]

M&S do shortbread tins in shape of the red telephone box.

[Guest]

Obviously - very British gifts. Shortbread, whisky (?), British chocolate etc.

[lausan]

Personalised Teapot and some good English Tea

[Guest]

I was thinking of whisky Geoffa but the way it reads on the Canadian immigration site it looks like I can't (unless I buy it in duty free I suppose).

I did think of local Cotswold 'champagne' but I definitely couldn't buy that in duty free!

Eeyore rocks...I definitely think M&S shortbread is a good idea... although I'm not sure I will be able to resist eating it myself!

[Guest]

Lausan...excellent idea... I'll see if I can get a personalised tea pot. (I wonder if they'd like a photo mug as well with my face on it!)

[Midsummer]

I would take something that they can keep and remember your visit, some crystal glasses perhaps. I know most of it is not made in the UK any more but it is still expensive in Canada. Then whatever glasses you buy you could buy the alcohol to put in them from duty free.

[srh]

I thought of shortbread straight away - and maybe twinnings tea to go with your teapot.

What about making a scrapbook for them with maybe some old family photos or momentos in that they can keep?

[olgaandcoda]

Or maybe something from Liberty, a vase or something with the date of the visit engraved.

[Guest]

First of all how lovely and exciting for your mum and you.

We're they born here?

You could see if you could get a local history book of where they were born?

We have taken them and local DVD's for family in the past. Is there anything they make locally that they area is known for we have quite a few things and have taken them as keepsakes.

Alison