What would American friends like in a parcel from the UK?

[WeaverofWords]

I want to send my friends some things from the UK. Is there anything that goes down particularly well from the UK? Has anyone sent a gift like this regularly? They are an older couple, no kids, vegan.

Help meeeeee please!

@LittleMy77

Depending on where they live, you can get most of what’s suggested above from US stores. Nice vegan chocolate (not. Cadbury’s, it’s all over there) is a nice idea

Be cautious about weight and value of what you post; US import charges are crazy on lots of stuff

US Cadbury's is made by Hershey. It does not taste the same!

Salad Cream
Marmite
Robinson's Squash

These were requested by friends when we were back visiting the UK

Maybe traditional boiled sweets
Aniseed balls
Rhubarb and custards
Yorkshire mixture
Bonfire toffee- can buy a lolly version you might find year round
Cinder toffee

@WeaverofWords

This is brilliant! Thank you so much for ideas - please keep them coming in! They are in Alabama, it doesn’t sound like they have much in the way of English stores selling our stuff.

Yes, vegan, so not sure if Cadbury’s chocolate is ok, but definitely tea, maybe Emma Bridgewater, yes! I thought maybe little souvenir type things of British materials, yes.

Keep the ideas coming, please! I’m particularly stuck on stuff for him. Guess these can be joint things…

Will hit the shops on Monday. Good point about import tax arghh how do I get round that? They sent me stuff with me not paying anything.

Weaver, it needs to be under a certain amount of $. When I used to send stuff from US to Uk it was a $45 limit, which included postage I don’t think it’s that bad the other war round, but definitely stops you from sending some of the suggestions on here

The other option is buying from the British shops online (lots of whom are based in US) and shipping within the US

Thank you so much for that info, @LittleMy77. Oh yes, it might prevent some of the stuff on here. Will have a look… Oohh exciting! I thought after that Whittards do tea in pretty V&A tins. I can’t wait to put it together! 😁

Cadburys do a good vegan chocolate now,made with oat drink, as do Lindt (certainly one is oat drink, but they are both good chocolate for vegan choc. Our resident vegan says they are the best!).

Branston pickle.
Galaxy chocolate (used to be Cadbury’s dairy milk bars before the Americans got hold of the recipe 🤮)
Kendal mint cake
Highland toffee

I like the idea of a nice magazine!

I just sent a friend for her significant birthday a set of Royal Albert teacup and saucer set from wedgewood which were in the sale and some tea selection from fortnam and mason. They are a couple and really love tea and loved the gift. On the other hand, when my sister lived in the states for a couple of years I used to post her many of the items mentioned on here because she missed it.

DSIS lives in the US. It can be very expensive to post stuff to the US. Be careful you don't go over 2kg in weight and be careful not to include restricted foodstuffs as it will get confiscated at customs.

I often buy her presents on the US version of Amazon, then it's posted to her from the US, so it's a lot cheaper. There are British food websites in the US who would gift wrap, so that may be a better option ?

Thank you, I did consider that, but I really want them to have something directly from me. I want to put a couple of handwritten notes & small, homemade gifts in there.

But yes! Will look into restrictions & the 2 kg thing. Wonder if there’s a restrictions list somewhere? Hmm.

Digestive biscuits
Bacon, prawn or roast chicken crisps
Jaffa cakes
Fish and chips - just kidding!

Does she like the Queen? What about some nice tea, and a jubilee tea towel? Light but British.

Look carefully at what can and can't be imported into the USA. Som items are banned and they will be destroyed.

1 Emma Bridgewater mug is almost a kilo when wrapped properly

Check the postage as well- it has gone up massively to the USA

Only by them teabags if they actually have a kettle or a boiling water tap. I think many Americans don’t have a kettle? So teabags would be a waste.

I think Hobnobs are vegan.
Copy of VIZ? :D

Tesco dark chocolate digestives are vegan

As are hammy dodgers

Vegan Maryland cookies- sold in home bargains and Aldi

Marmalade, wine gums, crumpets, tea are the requests we get from American family

I always send friends abroad a packet of Dorset Knob biscuits as part of parcels as it amuses me no end!

These are great ideas! Thank you so much. @ElinorOliphant They just boil water on a saucepan! @TheHoptimist oh yes I thought the same about the Emma Bridgewater stuff. Will see about postage.

Fab! This thread is so helpful.

Tunnocks Teacakes and Caramel Wafers. Tell them they're Scottish delicacies.

Not sure if these are all vegan but what we've found goes down well.

hula hoops
salt & vinegar crisps
marmalade
good quality dark chocolate
marks and spencer biscuits
fortnum mason stuff earl grey biscuits

Yorkshire Tea
Golden Syrup
Party Rings
Bourbon Creams