AIBU to ask you what you would ask from the States?

[Newforestdonkey]

My husband is off to NY for work for 4 weeks, and I thought that the least he could do was to bring back some things for me and the children (young) but I don’t know what! Please tell me what you’d like to get!
(The children have enough clothes, I really don’t think I should tell him to get those…though I really like Carter’s)

Thank you!

Things my husband brings back - See’s chocolates, antibiotic cream, Tide with bleach, Crest White Strips, TePe soft picks, clorox wipes.

Tiffany’s is everywhere though? I heard it’s been taken over and last time I looked I thought some if the more “affordable” stuff had gone a bit naff? Obviously there’s some gorgeous diamonds if you have thousands to spend - but frankly, you’d be far better waiting for him to come home and then send him to Boodles! No comparison (value and designs).

@AnyOldPrion

My ex came back with huge bottles of paracetamol and ibuprofen. It was mega useful, though admittedly not very romantic.

Incidentally, both types of tablet did taste a good deal better than the Hershey’s chocolate he brought.

Hershey's is truly vile yet many Americans rave over it, they clearly don't understand chocolate. Coffee flavoured Werthers are amazing and I can't get them in the UK.

Corn tortillas for proper taco's - enough to scare airport security
Aveeno antihistamine cream
The same big bottles of paracetamol/ibuprofen/sleep pills that have already been mentioned
Jelly belly jelly beans
Secret cream deodorant (have almost finished my stash)
Mane & tail shampoo & conditioner is a lot cheaper if you use it
The gummy bear type of vitamins (although I think you can get them here now?)
Old Navy for good basic clothing (order online for collection)
An iron skillet (was bloody heavy but a brilliant buy) and holders for the handle!
Something amazingly american naff from Cracker Barrel (looking at you cowboy boot lamp!)
Ruffles. Not sure what witchery goes into the basic potato snack but I bloody love them

@lljkk

Following another thread, huge bottles of acetominophen, aspirin & ibuprofen. Melantonin too if you'd like to give it a try.

melatonon is easily ands legally available online for UK delivery. I get it for my dog.

@AnyOldPrion

My ex came back with huge bottles of paracetamol and ibuprofen. It was mega useful, though admittedly not very romantic.

Incidentally, both types of tablet did taste a good deal better than the Hershey’s chocolate he brought.

I always used to bring back the same, tablets not chocolate

Caramel M&Ms and Peanut Butter ones too. So good!

Sugar free Cinnamon gum 😋

Caramel M&M's are delicious. Hershey kisses, Jolly Ranchers, Sour Patch kids... I could spend a fortune in Walmart sweet section.

Bath & Bodyworks stuff is lovely.

I also bought loads of ScentSational wax melts in Walmart, such a huge choice of fragrances. Asda started to stock them last year but not as many scents.

My kids bought store exclusive Funko pops, randomly bought plasters with designs like Pokemon on them. And sweets. They love the American candy.

Michael Kors was cheap in Orlando in the outlets but I don't know if there's one in NY. I got a beauty of a bag for about $60 as there was a further 40% off the day I went to the shop.

I hope you get something lovely!

Red Lobster seasoning and their biscuit mix

Sorry I can only say what I buy Ralph Lauren and Hilfiger clothes and shoes for us and the kids. Oh and Urban Decay goodies from Sephora and perfume ALL cheaper annoyingly!

My list would be a bit heavy on the OTC meds like some others.
Walmart brand is fine on most meds.
Benadryl grape liquid.
Benadryl pink tablets in a big jar
Ibuprofen in a big jar
Neosporin cream or ointment I like both
Hydrocortisone ointment
Pepto bismol
Fabric plasters that actually stick.
Suave deodorant stick.
Hanes undies for Dh
Hanes tube socks for Dh
Tums fruit flavoured indigestion chewables in a big jar
Country gravy mix
Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix.
McCormick Beef stew mix
McCormick Taco seasoning
Swedish meatball mix

Cadent, the whole of the West coast???
What, ALL of it underwhelming??
Reminds me of a line in a sitcom:
I went abroad once. Didn't like it

Oh and I second drugs! Zquill pastilles, triple antibiotic ointment and NSAIDS

@FlowerArranger

The large OTC packs can, in the wrong hands, encourage indiscriminate use of these medications. In the US, there is a huge variety of OTC drugs that include acetominophen (aka paracetamol) plus other ingredients, such as sleep aids and migraine drugs. A lot of people are not aware of this and risk ingesting excessive doses of acetominophen. The reason why these medications are only sold in small quantities in the UK is to prevent accidental or intentional overdoses.

Honestly that seems so patronising

You can OD on two blister packs if you're really that clueless

I went abroad once. Didn't like it

Advil

Husband pre covid used to travel to America regularly…over the years this is the only thing I’d ask for!
We’ve run out and no planned America trip :(

@Mommybunny

As a lifelong Yankees fan I’d have to get some Yankees clothes for DS, and probably some Knicks and Rangers and Jets too.

My people! GO YANKEES!

@MissConductUS 😁

@Hiyawotcha

Nyquil capsules. Best cold medicine ever.

Didn't know about the capsules! I usually ask for the liquid medicine (or buy it in bulk when I'm there) Magic stuff!

Those of you saying that you know all about the risks of paracetamol...... the restrictions were introduced not for the sake of sensible people like you but for those who are less clued up. Of whom there are sadly way too many.

And yes, someone wanting to kill themselves with paracetamol can of course collect 2 small packs from a dozen stores. But there is a chance that, somewhere along the way, they'll change their mind and decide to wait another day - by which time they may see things differently.

The effects of a paracetamol overdose are cruel. Once it has entered the system, there is little or nothing that can be done.

Looking forward to going home to UK at Xmas, first time in three years.I've been asked for hockey tape, but that is a little niche.

@FlowerArranger

Those of you saying that you know all about the risks of paracetamol...... the restrictions were introduced not for the sake of sensible people like you but for those who are less clued up. Of whom there are sadly way too many.

And yes, someone wanting to kill themselves with paracetamol can of course collect 2 small packs from a dozen stores. But there is a chance that, somewhere along the way, they'll change their mind and decide to wait another day - by which time they may see things differently.

The effects of a paracetamol overdose are cruel. Once it has entered the system, there is little or nothing that can be done.

Yes, but how is that relevant to this thread, which is about people who know the risks wanting to take advantage of the fact that large bottles are on sale in the USA?

DH and I usually visit NYC every year (on the cheap, I'm not a Rockefeller ) but we've not been since 2018 and I've just recently used up the last of my stock of Tylenol cold and flu medicine. It's neon blue and god knows what's in it but it knocks you right out. It's a godsend.

I've also bought melatonin previously but I find I don't stay asleep after taking it and I wake up feeling like shite.

I'm weird and usually stock up on foodstuffs:

• Liquid coffee creamer
• Brown sugar cinnamon Oat So Simple porridge
• Blueberry Pop Tarts
• Anything maple flavoured. I found maple peanut butter and it was so delicious I had to ask DH to hide it from me

When we first started going in 2013 I would buy make up and fancy shampoo but there aren't really any US exclusive brands anymore.

I'm a weirdo that actually likes hershey's chocolate

Fun fact. The people who say it tastes/smells like vomit are literally correct. In the days before refrigerated trucks, Americans started adding Butyric acid to milk to preserve it while it was being transported over long distances. It is this that gives Hersheys chocolate its unexpected (to Europeans) aroma. This is the same chemical that gives vomit its smell.

I assume Americans don't notice it because they are nose-blind as a result of being used to it.

I have just googled this link, not read it, but it looks like it will confirm what I've just said.

www.huffpost.com/entry/hersheys-chocolate-tastes-like-vomit_l_60479e5fc5b6af8f98bec0cd