Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

A Gift to take to Canada

26 replies

medianewbie · 23/02/2023 18:54

My child has been chosen for an exchange trip to Canada (Toronto). He will be staying a host family. I'd like to send a small thank you gift. Ideally a little wicker hamper with some Scottish products in but that's probably too bulky & all contents probably banned. Any ideas for a gift / how I could find out what I can take ?

OP posts:
Gwen82 · 23/02/2023 18:57

Banned items? What were you thinking of taking?

Definitely traditional Scottish food items (presuming you are Scottish!(

Gwen82 · 23/02/2023 18:58

Forget the wicker basket, that will be too bulky.

Some very traditional Scottish treats. And perhaps a Scottish flag cap and magnet

mnahmnah · 23/02/2023 19:01

@Gwen82

If it has a no food policy at immigration. The US, you can get into trouble for even a forgotten biscuit in your hand luggage. Most countries have strict rules on what you can take in.

Michellebops · 23/02/2023 19:02

I have family in Canada and when I recently visited I took tunnocks caramel wafers and logs, they are so expensive to buy in Canada. I also took lots of galaxy chocolate bars and dairy milk. Their chocolate is not as good as ours. Some random things to include is (weirdly) gravy sachets, shortbread, Tea towels, coasters, a small candle

rookiemere · 23/02/2023 19:03

When I went to NZ I took some lovely little tinned candles with traditional Scottish scents.

Michellebops · 23/02/2023 19:04

mnahmnah · 23/02/2023 19:01

@Gwen82

If it has a no food policy at immigration. The US, you can get into trouble for even a forgotten biscuit in your hand luggage. Most countries have strict rules on what you can take in.

You can take in bicsuits and chocolate. Banned foods are like black pudding and sausages

In fact you can even take bread (mothers pride OP)

WeegieWan · 23/02/2023 19:08

Definitely Tunnocks! Maybe some tablet too, nothing wrong with a bit of shortbread. There's Mackie's Chocolate too... Proper oatcakes maybe?

My Canadian family always want industrial quantities of Hula Hoops and extra strong tea-bags, but I don't know if I'd do that for strangers!

Gwen82 · 23/02/2023 19:26

mnahmnah · 23/02/2023 19:01

@Gwen82

If it has a no food policy at immigration. The US, you can get into trouble for even a forgotten biscuit in your hand luggage. Most countries have strict rules on what you can take in.

Indeed
but Canada doesn’t have that policy!!

Gwen82 · 23/02/2023 19:26

PG tips!

Quveas · 23/02/2023 19:31

My Canadian friend will sell her children for bars of Dairy Milk. I don't understand it. It isn't great chocolate. But if anyone wants some Canadian children (now very very up) let me know...

missingthewinchesterboys · 23/02/2023 19:32

Chocolate.
Canada has the same issue with nasty chocolate as the US.

scrivette · 23/02/2023 19:34

Cadburys chocolate, my Canadian relatives always stock up when they are here.

QuillBill · 23/02/2023 19:35

Definitely some flag related items. Canada loves it's flag.

Funf · 23/02/2023 19:42

Tunnocks, The Tablet bar thingy is great, Tea towel?

user1477249785 · 23/02/2023 19:53

When is the exchange? If anywhere near Easter cadburys Easter eggs aren't available there.

StinkerTroll · 23/02/2023 19:57

We took Grasmere gingerbread a few years ago, went down a storm (it has a reasonable shelf life), people's suggestions are great, shortbread, tunnocks, decent tea bags, Cadbury chocolate, fridge magnet...... think edibles with a small keepsake

medianewbie · 23/02/2023 20:36

Thanks. Yes I was thinking edibles. Ideally I'd send haggis, salmon etc but obvs not poss to send those. So, shortbread, tunnocks, tea, chocs, sweeties (Edinburgh Rock etc). A naice Scottish teatowel & maybe a bit of tartan tat from a Royal Mile tat shop?
I just assumed NO food items so good to know some options. Child has ASD so need to be sure no potential issues at customs or rhey will be stressed out.

OP posts:
Bonkersworknonsense · 23/02/2023 20:40

I live on the west coast and we can get loads of UK foods here. I’d think Toronto would be similar. Lately Marks and Spencer’s and Waitrose are harder to find. We have loads of UK, Swiss, and German chocolate in every supermarket (the Canadian stuff is rubbish).

I’d recommend some locally made things, and maybe a bit of M&S.

NewIdeasToday · 23/02/2023 20:40

This shop does lovely things that I’ve bought as presents.

www.hoodshoney.com/

NewIdeasToday · 23/02/2023 20:46

Or for non food ideas how about some nice mugs (U.K. designs rather than Scottish). For example

Link

mnahmnah · 23/02/2023 22:37

I agree that some nice Scottish pottery mugs would be a lovely gift

www.uigpottery.co.uk/product/cuillin-scenes-curvy-mug/

mnahmnah · 23/02/2023 22:41

More reasonable priced mugs:

standrewspottery.co.uk/collections/mugs-and-goblets/products/straight-sided-mug

littlegreenheart · 24/02/2023 12:17

If you are thinking of sending food, check the official advice about bringing food, plant and animal products into Canada https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/fpa-apa/bringing-apporter-fpa-eng.html.

If you're worried about your child handling customs/immigration, one way to do it is to give your child a written/printed list of what they're bringing in to show to border control. In my experience, they will take your word for what you're bringing, but it can be a little intimidating to walk out of the secured arrivals area of the airport where they CAN stop you (but likely won't). Having a list to show and being able to say yes, I already declared what I'm bringing in may help your child walk through with confidence, although it's very unlikely they'll be stopped.

In general, it's possible to get UK products in Canada, although they may be expensive/difficult to source. If you don't know much about the host family, I'd go with sending things that are as local to you as possible. If they want to host a child, they're interested in that child's day to day life. If you want to send approved food products, perhaps put them in something like a drawstring bag (tartan or saltire or thistle/heather/etc. print, if you want a Scottish theme), rather than a hamper which will be awkward to carry.

I'd also consider something like a hardback/coffee-table picture book of your city or area - books are insanely expensive to order from the UK, but something nice to have to start a conversation with your child and as a thing for the host family to leave out for visitors/remember the visit and your child afterwards. Anything Scotland-themed will be pretty well received in Canada: even little things like badges or pencils or postcards.

john625 · 20/06/2023 08:08

It’s important to note that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety and quality. Many restaurants in Canada have their menus available online, allowing visitors to browse through their offerings and get an idea of the price range. The Canada Latest menus prices will be fully described in the apps of all Restaurents.

Canadian Menus - All Canada Restaurants And Cafes Menu List

Are you looking for yummy and delicious items and their prices in latest Canadian restaurant menus? If yes, then you are the right place.

https://canadianmenus.com/

ThreeKneeRepeater · 20/06/2023 08:14

Not sure what that’s got to do with this Zombie thread john625