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As someone else said, all those things are very, very common in the UK. To be honest you can even get Ghiradelli brownie mix. Pancake mix is very common. The trouble nowadays, the UK is so international you can get practically anything - that's why I suggested the marshmallows and graham crackers as they were the only things I could think of not available there.
Cornbread might be a good idea as people would not know what that was, but would it travel well?
How about something more personal ie local to where you live? Some of my relations took back fortune cookies from the factory in China town where they were invented here in San Francisco.
Which state do you live in? Is there anything special made there? San Francisco is famous for its clam chowder for example. Obviously you couldn't send that but maybe something a little less perishable and transportable from where you live?
The thing is that most of the things I crave really aren't suitable for a christmas hamper. It would include some awesome BBQ brisket, ribs and all the fixins from my favorite BBQ joints in Texas and my friends late aunt who lived in Wisconsin, German chocolate cake, none of this cake in a box nonsense. She made hers from scratch. My friend Lena makes the best corn bread that I'd also welcome.
If you really insist you could send some really bad American cheese.
The thing is that most of the things I crave really aren't suitable for a christmas hamper. It would include some awesome BBQ brisket, ribs and all the fixins from my favorite BBQ joints in Texas and my friends late aunt who lived in Wisconsin, German chocolate cake, none of this cake in a box nonsense. She made hers from scratch. My friend Lena makes the best corn bread that I'd also welcome.
If you really insist you could send some really bad American cheese.
Britain has so much variety when it comes to their grocery stores, the only thing I'm thinking that's not huge over there are Mexican dishes...so jar of Picante Sauce, also I know my dad can't get a good clam chowder (New England one) in the UK like he does in the US.
Pancake ingredients are different in the UK, so the US version would be cool. Maybe Hidden Vally Ranch, or a good classic barbecue sauce. Just don't send Hershey chocolate or they will gag on it. Candy wise, nothing will impress them so don't bother with that....unless it's an Almond Joy..I like them, their equivalent is Bounty but without the almond.
Also if they are really into home cooking, send cornstarch..they have something very close to it called corn flour over there but does leave a slight taste.. alas cornstarch is better for thickening over corn flour.
Yeah, I keep hearing stuff about sending Salsa or BBQ Sauce. Have heard about the Ranch Dressing also. Another common suggestion is Welch's Grape Jam or Jelly. Also Apple Butter.
I wonder if they'd like Vidallia Dressing? Vidallia Onions only grow in a small section of Georgia and they are the mildest sweetest onions you've ever had. They make a wonderful dressing.
BTW, I would NEVER send Hershey's Chocolate. To tell you the truth, I'm sick to death hearing about freaking Hershey's on every British web site out there. There are other choices, people. Every city in America has small artisan chocolate makers that know what they are doing. Failing that, if you're stranded in America in desperate need of chocolate, you can always go with Ghirardelli. Their products are in most mainstream grocery stores. Try the Ghirardelli Squares - the raspberry filled are my favorite.
Another idea I've heard is to go with local producers of almost anything - whatever is a specialty of your area. For instance, we have a local orchard that makes wonderful jams and jellies with very unique flavorings added. We have a lot of locally-produced food in the U.S. that is entirely missed by many visitors. You have to buy it direct or go to an upscale or natural foods grocery store instead of the mainstream ones.
I've also heard suggestions of decent snack foods that might be slightly different, but I'm not sure which ones. For instance, I know there are potato chips (crisps) in the U.K. But are there BBQ-flavored ones? What about the equivalent of Smart Food Popcorn? It's dusted in White Cheddar. What about Sweet Potato Chips?
Good thing I'm figuring this out ahead of time because, clearly, some of my ideas are off the rails.
Last edited by Shooting Stars; 09-19-2012 at 06:26 AM..
The trouble nowadays, the UK is so international you can get practically anything - that's why I suggested the marshmallows and graham crackers as they were the only things I could think of not available there.
Cornbread might be a good idea as people would not know what that was, but would it travel well?
How about something more personal ie local to where you live?
It's not that your idea of S'mores is really bad. It's that I can't send something I personally hate, even if they would love it. I've even seen British web sites where they talk about really liking Graham Crackers all by themselves. Maybe I'm dead wrong, but it's hard for me to get excited about. I have a mental block about the crackers!
As far as Cornbread, I could send a very good mix. I saw a lot of British people really loving the cornbread and wishing they could get it. I love it too.
It's not that your idea of S'mores is really bad. It's that I can't send something I personally hate, even if they would love it. I've even seen British web sites where they talk about really liking Graham Crackers all by themselves. Maybe I'm dead wrong, but it's hard for me to get excited about. I have a mental block about the crackers!
As far as Cornbread, I could send a very good mix. I saw a lot of British people really loving the cornbread and wishing they could get it. I love it too.
Yes, there are definitely local choices.
I would send something local to where you are. My in laws sent my parents a little pack once of some pumpkin marmalade, and a little book of pictures of their home town with some little touristy gifts from the area. They loved that.
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