Posts: 8
(3/1/04 10:42 pm)

Gift ideas to take to new friends in Ireland

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I want to take some appreciation gifts to two gentlemen I have met through email. We are all interested in a history project going on here in the US in my local area. The person we are researching was born in Clogherhead, and they are going to show us around the area. I want to take something unique, someone told me the Irish are enamored with Oreos. Sounds silly, but since they can't get them over there they are very desired. I don't have a lot of room in the suitcase but would really appreciate ideas for anything that would be "American" but not hokey. Thanks!! One of the men is retired (married) the other is a college professor and he's never mentioned a family.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2213
(3/2/04 5:42 pm)

Re: Gift ideas to take to new friends in Ireland

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Hi Cheryl,

That's the first that I heard that the Irish love Oreos! Why not take something evocative of the area that you live in? Something unique from your part of the country. A few things that come to mind are books with photos, calendars, bookmarks, liquor or wine. You could also just take them out for a nice dinner. Anyone else have suggestions?

Michele

Irene
Unregistered User
(3/3/04 12:21 am)

Gift ideas to take to new friends in Ireland

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I'm still floored by the Oreos

I would take something related to the history project that you mentioned. Is there an old photo or document that they might be interested in that you could frame? An aerial photo of the area, maybe. What about something like Vermont Maple Syrup (or Illinois version of something like that)?

Illinois Cheryl
Posts: 9
(3/3/04 7:16 am)

Thanks and oreos

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Thanks for your help, Irene and Michele, I'm going to check with the visitor's center in the town where I work and see what they give to visitors. And about the oreos, my son has been in Ireland several times for business and said the young men (30's) that he met were so curious about Oreos. They had heard of them but had never eaten them. He said they really talked a lot about Oreos. And they also had no equivalent to our graham crackers. But if this is news to everybody else, I won't bother taking Oreos. I thought about taking Chicago Cub hats (I am an avid fan), but that might not be something they wear in Ireland. My niece has a little candle company, but they would be hard to transport without breaking. So I'm still thinking...

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2220
(3/3/04 11:10 pm)

Re: Thanks and oreos

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Hi Cheryl,

Well, I've been to Ireland 38 times and never had a conversation about Oreos. But perhaps I'm not hanging out with the right crowd! I have had graham cracker crust on cheescake so they have that. As for the hats, depends on how old they are. Younger guys might wear them. I'm racking my brain. How about music CD's, note cards, lapel pins (I have a friend who collects flags of all countries and other unusual ones)? I will keep adding things as I think of them.

Michele

Anita
Unregistered User
(3/4/04 12:28 pm)

gift

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I think the best idea is to take something that is from the area you live. In this neck of the woods the tourists love the native art so when my cousin went to Ireland on with a homestay program through her school she took a locally made dreamcatcher. It was quite a hit. Other kids took small carvings or paintings that were also popular. Do you have a local artist that does small waterpaintings, or arsty photos of a historical building or site?

Clodagh Ni
Posts: 11
(3/4/04 12:46 pm)

Re: gift

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I hope this might save you some time, but we actually have Oreo's here now for the last 2 years I'd say. Unless your 2 friends live in a tiny little village in the back of beyond, they will find it easy enough to find them in Tesco's, SuperValu, Dunnes etc. They're not as popular here as they are there as they are very sweet.

What I do know LOADS of people who have been to America fall in love with is PeanutButter Cups and Gummi Bears. We can now get PeanutButter Cups here too but only in a very small number of shops.

Do you have a University near you? The University sweaters always go down well. Or how about a lock of Oprah's hair??

I'm sure you could come empty handed and they would be just as happy to see you

MarkD
Unregistered User
(3/4/04 6:03 pm)

Gifts

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Hello All,
My wife and I are going on a tour March 26-April 3rd.
We will be Oughterard/Westport/Sligo/Galway.
I was thinking of bringing a roll of Vermont State Quarters to hand out to folks we meet in Pubs etc.
Do you think this will be well received ?
I was thinking of something from our home state, yet something easy to pack.

mldmv
Posts: 7
(3/4/04 6:57 pm)

gifts

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Mark,

What a great idea! That's a great way to "show case" your home state.

Have a wonderful trip. We are going to Ireland on our first trip March 28th-April 6th. Hope we have wonderful weather!

Marcia

Mark D
Unregistered User
(3/4/04 7:12 pm)

Gifts

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Hello Marcia,
Wow, If you are half as excited as we are !

Which part will you be visiting ?
We will be spending 2 days each in:
Oughterard
Westport
Sligo
Galway

It will be interesting to see how the new Smoking Ban will affect the "craic" in the pubs !
Cheers !
Mark

Mary
Unregistered User
(3/4/04 10:30 pm)

Gifts

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What is the custom in Ireland in regards to hostess gifts when staying at a B&B or a Guesthouse? Should I take a little something for her?

I wasn't planning to take anything but I am wondering if that would be rude. I've always stayed in hotels and I'm not sure about B&B custom.

Or even what I would give.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2239
(3/5/04 1:40 am)

Re: Gifts

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Hi Mary,

No need to take hostess gifts to B&B owners. After all you are paying to stay there. If they go above and beyond with really great service, make phone calls for you (there is a charge in Ireland for each call made even if it is next door), let you check email, etc. then send them a thank you card when you get back home. And always ask if you can pay for the phone call or computer time.

So, it is not rude at all and not expected for you to give gifts at B&Bs and guesthouses.

Michele