Leaving in four weeks

[irish.lambchop]

for Croatia for a month. Am staying in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ivo Marnic and would like to bring them a gift of something that is uniquely American - any suggestions?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Do we still make things here??

[irish.lambchop]

2. That was my first thought, which is why I posed the question.

I'm at a complete loss here and really would like to get them something but have no idea what. I will be getting them something from Ireland as I stop there first, but would also like to get them something from the U.S. (I've dual citizenship.)

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. This won't help you, but....

the United States is the world leader in making heavy machinery...John Deere, Caterpillar and that kind of thing. Earth-moving and farming equipment. And the market for it is booming.

Difficult to pack, though.

[irish.lambchop]

7. And more than difficult to get through Security!

Thanks, though, for the education and the chuckle! :hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Navajo pottery?

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&lr=&suggon=0&as_qdr=all&q=navajo+pottery&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

A Bob Dylan original LP?

Something from Willie Nelson?
http://www.honkytonktx.com/shop/feature.html?name=Willie%20Nelson

[irish.lambchop]

8. Awesome idea!

Anything Native American - I hadn't even thought of that! Thank you!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. Navajo blankets are beautiful and uniquely American as well

http://www.google.com/products?q=navajo+blankets&btnG=Search+Products&hl=en&show=dd

on edit:
here's a nice trading post
http://www.camerontradingpost.com/shop/Navajo-Rugs-c-12.html

[irish.lambchop]

17. Many thanks for the links!

They're great! Thank you Whoa_Nelly!

[KitchenWitch]

20. I stayed at the Cameron Trading Post last summer

[lost-in-nj]

5. Is there something by where you live that is

local???

I see your in WV lots of folk art there....

we have people come from Romania and they bring pieces made by local artisens
usually vases or something like that.

You should find out if they have wine with dinner and by them a local red and white.

how about a homemade quilt or knitted blanket.....

maybe even a regional cookbook or 2

have a blast, I would LOVE to go to Croatia

lost

[irish.lambchop]

12. Perhaps some apple butter - which is local to this area.

Tip: If you do decide to go to Croatia, it is MUCH cheaper to fly to Dublin, Ireland first and then fly from there. Aer Lingus have direct flights from DUB to Croatia, specifically, Dubrovnik. MUCH better than going through Heathrow on any other airline. To fly direct from the U.S. is much more expensive. And, of course, it depends on the time you book. Croatia is on the brink of becoming a member of the EU so costs are going up. You can still find good deals on places to stay outside of Dubrovnik proper.

[Inchworm]

6. Untaxed liquor

Some good old american shine.

:silly:

[irish.lambchop]

13. You can actually get "Moonshine" here

but I surely would not want to kill them! :) Even I can't handle that!

[Inchworm]

14. I checked the state before I suggested

hehe.

Some shine is smooth as water :D

:)

[irish.lambchop]

16. Guess it depends on where it's 'manufactured' -

it tastes a bit like rubbing alcohol to me, but then I'm a Guinness-it's-a-meal-AND-a-drink fan.

[Redneck Socialist]

9. A link to GD: Pee?

I got nothin'

:shrug:

[irish.lambchop]

15. I like that -

GD:Pee - very funny! But why would I want to hurt them like that? :)

[Whoa_Nelly]

10. Something from W.Virginia?

Unique pottery
http://www.wvpottery.com/

and this artist makes some beautiful pieces
http://www.pinehillpottery.com/pinehillpottery/index.html

Fenton glass is also WV
http://www.fentongiftshop.com/

[Biscottiii]

18. What about a Can of Planters Peanuts? Sounds silly but

When my Mom and I travelled to Europe in the late 70's I got desperate for a taste of home - craving peanuts. Never found them anywhere in 9 countries - they use Filberts as a filler in mixed nuts (like we use peanuts).

Many Europeans know of Jimmy Carter as the former 'Peanut Farmer President' and might find the taste curious. I wouldn't take fresh or packages in case Customs refuses.


ETA Although, I've heard that jars of peanut butter sends off alarms at airports, not so sure about this. Might ask first if you decide to do it.

[madrchsod]

19. can you take bush?

take them native american art or soft goods

[harmonicon]

21. lucky you

I have friends who go to Croatia for vacations every year for the past few, and they just love it. They make it sound fantastic.

my suggestion:
Bourbon. If you can get it in Europe, it's expensive, and you certainly can't get anything more exotic than maker's mark or knob creek over here (EU, that is). Shit! My brother is coming to visit tomorrow, and I didn't ask him to bring bourbon! FUCK! (ok, that was an aside).

From my friends who go to Croatia, I had a great Croatian liquour, and I'm sure if these folks drink, they'd love to try some nice American bourbon as much as I liked that Croatian drink. If you can get it this time of year, another uniquely American thing (ok, Canada has it too) is maple syrup, but that doesn't strike me as being as universally appreciated as booze, and may be illegal to bring with you, being food and all.

[Arugula Latte]

22. Isn't maple syrup unique to North America?

I know it's a New England/Canadian product, but, still ...

on edit: I ain't talkin' no Log Cabin or Aunt Jemima here! I mean the real stuff! :P