What UK things aren't available in the USA?

[PandaEyes56]

I have an American friend who loves all things UK. I generally send her a parcel at Christmas, but I'm a bit stuck as to what to put in it this year. I used to send things like Quality Street and Terry's Chocolate Orange, but she can get those at a supermarket called World Market now. All ideas welcome! She's also a huge reader, so ideas for bookish gifts welcome too!

On a related note, I'd like to send her 17 and 18 yesr old daughters a small gift (maybe make up) but am also not sure what brands they have access to.

I could ask them of course, but that would ruin the fun of a surprise package!

Not the Hershey's!!!

We submit.

Percy Pigs are for sale at Target—I saw them when I was there last month.

I wouldn’t send Christmas cake—fruit cakes are very much a British taste and are a joke item in the US—give the work colleague you hate a fruit cake kind of vibe.

You can get most things now. Most grocery stores have a international section and quite a few British & Irish specialty stores in my area. The only thing I'm really struggling to find at the moment is Paxo but I found out today you can get it on Amazon.

Nottingham lace handkerchieves, tablecloths etc. I doubt would be available in USA.

Sudocrem. If there’s anything like it in the USA I am yet to find it. I stock up every time I go home

Frozen Yorkshire puddings.
Fray Bentos Pie
Edible cheese
Swede

Yes and yes.

A&D ointment is great.

I've bought or seen the vast majority of the foods and drinks mentioned here in the suburbs of a Midwest city. Twinings teas are sold in my local Walmart.

I think it would be very unwise to try to send food, especially pies, both because of phytosanitary regs and because of tariffs.

I'd send small local items, and I think All Creatures Great and Small merch was a good call uptrend. Maybe also Downton Abbey stuff. One of my DDs brought a Hogwarts recipe book back from Dublin for herself, and is working her way through the recipes.

Amazon has pretty much killed all sense of 'specialness' to overseas specialties though. If you can't buy stuff locally, you can usually find it online.

Sending anything to the US right now is unpredictable I would think. I especially wouldn’t send food. Send some locally produced T towels or oven mitts or something like that.

If your American friend loves all things British, does she drink tea and would she like a proper tea cosy?

I always ask my mum for:

• sage and onion stuffing mix
• custard powder
• bisto
• UK chocolate
• UK biscuits
• UK crisps
• Robinsons squash

Can find uk chocolate, crisps and biscuits in some niche shops, they were always expensive but now, what with Donnie’s tariffs it’s even worse. I’m not paying $15 for a 6-pack of walkers crisps 🤨😂

Gravy granules
Twiglets
Welsh tea cakes

None of them particularly festive!

The only things I haven't been able to get easily are some British TV series that aren't on an American streaming platform (and there are work arounds for this too). The stuff she loves she will be able to buy herself.

Why not just send her something lovely like you would to any friend? Maybe something on the lighter and easy to post end of the spectrum of lovely things?

What’s with all the shortbread? Who honestly easts shortbread ever?!

Festive!

It’s not food but I would be tempted to throw this in!

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-x-nestle-quality-street-tin-bauble-2000s/p113659707?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23140034524&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1xfLsrYSw8LVaClhpwzWsev7&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B-g_yEH7RAUKx2xnCkNbIJEbXWZDwoCkDIVYrbrM06LjX1HqoisqDhkRoCPBAQAvD_BwE

Just be aware that sending anything in the post to the US now is a complete nightmare due to Trump's actions on tariffs and customs.
I've had to give up posting to the US from my business because (even with correct customs declarations and forms) items just seem to disappear into a customs 'black hole' neither being delivered or being returned.

You can buy Bonne Maman marmalade in Wholefoods

I do, but you can buy Walkers shortbread in any CVC and they are everywhere (at least in New England).
I have just taken Crunchies and Branston Pickle to the US for someone but I’m not sure Americans would go for Branston.

While Hershey’s chocolate is vile it isn’t hard to find decent chocolate in the US in my experience. Those small squeezy squash things might be a good idea, they don’t do squash there. Not a very festive present though!

Getting away from the food idea, my American relatives like Hello magazine. Particularly if one of the Royals is on the cover.

Lee and perins Worcester sauce is what I bring. You can buy Worcester sauce but it’s not the good branded stuff

Sadly, no Albertsons here, only the posh places like Earthfare and Whole Foods that charge an arm and a leg for quite basic tea. I stock up on my trips back.

And Kroger!
Its expensive, but I do treat myself to some fancy Jane occasionally 😂