8440 The appropriate gifts ?

I am preparing to pack and plan for my winter in Sorrento. This is my 10th visit, but the first time staying in one place. I have met several people there and they have become casual friends. I would very much like to bring them a small gift from the U.S. but at the same time, don't want to offend them with the wrong choice of gift. I would appreciate some suggestions. By the way, what is appropriate to bring when invited to dinner? I guess with all my reading, I still have alot to learn.

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/21/2007 - 02:35

Mmm! I would stay away from food & drink (unless you know something), and stay with something typical of your part of the world. You are lucky that you can bring a lot more weight in the plane from US. What's Rochester famous for?
(My female neighbours enjoyed English guest soaps in nice packaging)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/21/2007 - 04:18

just a thought - if your friends have children, italian kids seem to love english language slogans on T shirts. Something authentically American (rather than the bizzare non-sequiturs that are often printed on Italian clothes) might go down well? baseball/gridiron shirt with team logo, baseball cap etc ...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 11:13

I travel to Italy often and have many relatives (all ages) in the Campania
region. It is customary and often expected to arrive with a gift, especially if they are feeding you! I usually bring CD's. They are easy to pack and although American music is available worldwide, the selection in some of the smaller towns is limited. For the toddler to teen group any T shirt with a US sports team logo. Bon voyage!
:yes:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 03:17

We usually take to dinner either a bottle of prosecco, a good wine, or flowers for the hostess. A sweet from a pasticceria is sometimes a good idea, but best to clear it with the hosts first.

We sometimes ask American visitors to bring maple syrup, but I'm not sure how Italians would take to that.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/30/2008 - 07:59

We live in Vermont and have brought our friends maple syrup (not sure if they used it), maple cream to put on toast - yum and maple candies. We have also brought cheddar cheese and hand crafted items such as small pieces of pottery and beeswax candles in various shapes that we have purchased at local craft shows. For close friends we have also brought hand painted or woolen scarves, wooden cutting boards and handcrafted porcelain plates and a lemon tree (obviously purchased in Italy) for friends we were staying with. We have brought wine, dessert as well as the candles previously mentioned when we have been dinner guests. Hope this helps! Lisa