Gift ideas for German exchange student and his family

[Cobblersandhogwash]

DS (aged 14) is going on a German exchange in March.

They're travelling by coach.

What gifts would be good to get his exchange partner and family? They sent over wine, lebkuchen, German candy and chocolate, T-shirts. So generous.

So, I'm racking my brains for British stuff to send over. Shortbread. Cheese. Chocolate. Can't think what else! Help!

British gin is rather good at the moment if you wanted to send them a drink too. I always send my friends abroad packets of Percy Pigs from M&S

Tea? Posh tea from Whittards.

We also sent London themed stuff, which Primark seems to have loads of! But we are in London so it made sense.

Jaffa cakes, lemon curd and Twinnings tea usually goes down well.

A fruitcake in a nice tin that they can keep?

I wouldn't bother with tea - none of my German relatives drink it.

Agree with the tea, shortbread, marmalade and London suggestions.

Maybe also something from your local area?

How about something branded from Fortnums, Harrods or from the Buckingham Palace shop? You can get most things online if you are not close to London.

Send your local delicacy/produce, picture of local attractions/jigsaw

Reggae Reggae Sauce

Chocolate digestves

Marmalade

My son did a similar exchange. I sent shortbread, good tea, marmalade, Percy pigs, toffee, Cath Kidston things for the girls, Henley Regatta tees and hats for the boys (it was a rowing/language exchange).

Marmalade, shortbread, tea, clotted cream fudge, a small piece of wedgewood. John Lewis have a load of British themed gifts currently. Fortnum and Mason also very good for this kind of gift. I would avoid cheese as it will not survive a long journey. When I was a child I went bu coach London to Munich 23 hours!

Visiting relatives of a German friend of mine used to go back home laden with salt and vinegar crisps and crumpets!

(Probably not helpful, I know.).

We've given to other nationalities T shirts printed with the London Tube map - they went down very well.

marmite?

Strong cheddar cheese. When my Mum hosted german students, they took loads of it back.

Brilliant. Thank you!

Also a good chutney. Really suits the German palate and so tends to go down well.

I was just going to say don't go with the marmite.

I took some into work for my German colleagues to try and one of them said 'we clean out shoes with this in Germany'

A Tee Shirt with a photo of Nigel Farage printed on.

Montezuma British pudding chocolate bars are good, especially as you can just add them to an ocado order.

I normally just wonder through one of the posh farm shops we have nearby buying English looking things e.g. yorkshire Parkin, chutney.

Also not werther's originals. Very familiar and widely available.

See also fisherman's friends. Although those would be an odd thing to send anyway.

Black pudding

Heinz tomato sauce, pg tips

The child is learning English - so a good TV series on DVD. "Outnumbered" is perfect.
Tea-towels with English on them.