English Christmas in USA - what is essential?

[PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer]

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?

dooney - ah good, thank you, I was worried about lack of crackers!!!

Was just just wondering about Baileys and mulled wine sachets I'm sure they do have their own version but might be prudent to check

Baileys abounds over here, and even the low-end grocery stores are starting to sell mulled wine spices. If they have stores around, Williams-Sonoma and Penzey's spices do really nice ones. At least IMO.

thats a good point about the mulled wine. I had vaguely considered it...will check out for those stores dooneygirl!

Pavlov when do you go ? We are off to chicago on tues for chrimbo with my brother and family last did this 3 yrs ago kids all very excited

Oh how exciting Ollie - we go on sunday 21st to BIL and his family! Its great isn't it?!! Hope you have a great flight and a great time over there. How long you going for ? We are there until 29th.

Crackers - need to go in the hold and check the airline. BAA say that its down to the airline.

Christmas pudding - once had a problem, had to convince them it used vegetarian suet

stilton - for some bizarre reason have been asked a couple of times by US agriculture people if we are carrying any cheese. Very odd.

coleman's
marmite
oat cakes

piccalilli

I would say pickled onions but could you imagine if the jar broke in your suitcase - eek!

We are lucky have taken a big chunk of annual leave and so we dont come back until the 5th. Am so hoping for snow, last time we had lots at the start of the hol and then it warmed up later ,kids have fond memories of tobogganing in a local park.Am finding all the bulky winter clothes really filling up the cases. Seeing all the ott christmas lights is fab.
I love going to us for chistmas find it much more relaxing as i dont get drawn into the madness that is christmas back here. Have sent no cards may do a few when we get there and we wont put up any decs this year at home.Can you tell we are all getting a bit excited here

I brought over cheese - thing was, I brought an entire wheel! So, it was sealed. It was Y Fenni - lovely....

Ollie, have fun in Chicago. Wrap up warm, kit's a bit chilly here! The snow all melted last night but I am sure we will have more.

marzipan

Some english crisps (I like Hula Hoops!) or bombay mix or nibble
Xmas pud, if they like that

My list also usually includes:
Custard powder
Angel Delight
Marmite
Tunnocks Wafers
and lots of other things.

I know people who bring cheese over. I probably wouldn't do it, but people do, In fact, my Irish friends stuff their case full of sausages and bacon when they come back here and they always get through.

Superbunny - BIL would be in heaven if we took cheese over. Whenever he gets here, he goes straight to deli counter of sainsbury's and spends £20 on cheese at least! Then eats cheese, bread, crackers, pickled onions, branston for days!

Oh YES Picallilli (makes a note).

I am loving this...my list is getting longer .

Ollie - oh lucky you going for so long! We could not, mainly as I have to work on 5th, and we thought probably need a few days to settle DD when we get back. I have been to Chicago airport, but nowhere else there!!!

Thats what I do Pavlov

I think the airport is just about the worst place in Chicago!

I just remembered: oxo cubes/ marigold powder

oh yes oxo cubes...

And may I suggest some Skips? Because I am having a strange craving for them.

LOL, shall I get some then post them to you from US?.wont take as long as from here!

Jar of Marmite for toast in the morning

Thanks Pavlov! I shouldn't really - I have eaten 6 packs of hula hoops this week. I'd only scoff the Skips too.

Have fun doing all your shopping.

oh, twigletts! (Not for me! I know some of us Brits miss them)

Ooo, Lemon curd. Or good marmalade.

I'm so hungry now

Surely in NYC there must be a poncey cheese place? I know USA in general is a cheese desert (when I lived in Oklahoma they had "swiss", "american" and "monteray jack" which were different colours but otherwise identical. And presumably "blue" although that was only to be found in sauces) but the gourmet New Yorkers must shop somewhere...

There are places in NYC. You can buy Neal's Yard cheeses in Delis here. But it costs mucho $$$. Which is why everyone eats different coloured plasticky wax, known as Monterey Jack, Swiss or American, as you described.

Someimes you can get provolone too which is a different shape but tastes just like the others.