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Christmas

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Original poster

English Christmas in USA - what is essential?

48 replies

PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:00

We are going to NYC for christmas with family. My BIL who lived in UK til he was 12 is very excited about doing english christmas...

What things will we struggle to get over there, that might be essential to take from UK? When we last did Christmas in USA in was in a remote part of New Mexico where it was hard to get some things like christmas crackers, but this is new york so these things might be readily available.

So far we have on our list:
tea-bags (for BIL, always take them!)
crackers (can we get them in NY, dont want to take things unecessarily)
Stuffing
Quality Street
Mince meat for pies

DH is going shopping in a bit for everything. What have we missed?

OP posts:
HassledElf · 14/12/2008 10:02

Quality STreet/British chocolates/sweets?

What about the pudding?

blowninonabreeze · 14/12/2008 10:03

I don't think they do Christmas pudding over there?? Someone much more qualified will be along soon to correct!

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:05

Blowing - I know there are a couple of nice 'english' shops, were BIL goes from time to time to get beans, and branston pickle, but its really expensive....Chelsea and Something or other...

We don't mind popping along to get the odd thing we have missed, or heavy things, but want to go with some stuff...i might get a M&S pudding [mmmmmm] MIL will like that

Hasled - got quality street. Oh and I want tot take Danish Butter cookies!

OP posts:
PortAndStilton · 14/12/2008 10:08

Custard powder, if you're a Bird's person rather than a lovingly-crafting-it-from-eggs-etc person.

PortAndStilton · 14/12/2008 10:10

I don't think they do crackers (but could be wrong).

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:10

Port - oh, I had not thought of that!
How about Gravy?

OP posts:
Twims · 14/12/2008 10:11

What about cranberry sauce?

MilaMae · 14/12/2008 10:12

Xmas cake-we had an Xmas with sil in Seattle and she couldn't find icing etc so we had Xmas cake in a swiss roll tin with some kind of American frosting-yuk! We had a laugh making it but it felt a bit wierd.

Will you be able to fly with crackers,we couldn't find any in Seattle so had to go without,actually think we may have made our own with loo roll middles.

We had a great time,wasn't quite the same but it was still lovely and we had snow!!!!!!!

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:15

They must sell cranberry sauce? Don't cranberries come from USA? .

Port - are we talking the same kind of crackers here? I am talking about pulling crackers....however, the other ones are in fact very important too...(although we cant take decent cheese with us

OP posts:
Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:19

Milla - we flew with them last time (two years ago), so I am guessing so? They will be in checked luggage.

We are not expecting it to be the same as over here. BIL is wanting some things to remind him of 'home' but we are really looking forward to the difference, making a change from what are used to...SIL is chinese so we will be having chinese on boxing day I am sure!

OP posts:
Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:19

I want snow for christmas too, but not sure it will happen...last time we did, there was a snow storm and we were snowed in for two days....fantastic!

OP posts:
PortAndStilton · 14/12/2008 10:21

I meant pulling crackers, but MilaMae is probably right -- unlikely you can take them on an aeroplane in hand luggage or checked on, unless you take the snaps out first.

Anifrangapani · 14/12/2008 10:23

You can just make the stuffing there - bread crumbs, onion, herbs abd eggs are all widely availiable over there.

DVD of the Great Escape
Stilton
Sherry

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:30

at DVD of the great escape!
I don't think we can take the cheese? Or could we? That would, some stilton. We might pick up some port in airport...

OP posts:
cheshirekitty · 14/12/2008 10:45

Also DVD of Jason and the Argonauts. Do not think you can take cheese, the sniffer dogs will sniff you out.

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 10:46

We are also taking Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the kids!
about the cheese - what if I just blame it on DHs feet?

OP posts:
Cies · 14/12/2008 11:02

You can't fly with Crackers - they are classed as explosives. So, you'll have to make do without.

SpankyouHardOnChristmasNight · 14/12/2008 11:53

Can you take the cracker bit out of the crackers???

needmorecoffee · 14/12/2008 11:55

Xmas pud and crackers and mince pies. We did 3 Xmas's in the US.

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 12:17

about the crackers - weird that we took them to New Mexico 2years ago they obviously did not check my suitcase, but I don't want them to blow it up this time, its new!!!

Needmorecoffee - where in us? Was it good? I can't wait. NY is going to be ace!

OP posts:
Anifrangapani · 14/12/2008 12:23

I have taken stilton to France.... so no problem with it leaving the country.

There was a comical moment as it was being scanned through the Fragile luggage check in. The wires of my Ipod looked as if they were sticking out of the top of the wheel...... Looked just like the bombs on Spooks. I have never seen 3 fat men move so fast. The colour drained from their faces.

Original poster
PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 14/12/2008 12:28

Ani - We might take a touch of stilton with us then...

OP posts:
justneedsomesleeppleasesanta · 14/12/2008 16:30

Christmas crackers are available in the US, but not widely available. Pack them in your main luggage (it's fine) - done it loads of times.
Just sent my sister a package - also included lots of cadburys chocolate, choc tree decorations and packet of stuffing mix

ThePregnantMerryYuleWitch · 14/12/2008 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

dooneygirl · 14/12/2008 16:34

Costco and Cost Plus have Christmas crackers. Costco has tons of stilton, and there is cranberry sauce over here.