Gift Idea for 3 German Children

I like the Sounders soccer Tshirt for the 12-year-old. I'll have to give some thought to the younger ones. Maybe a small stuffed animal toy (Orca?) for the 4-year old.

Personally I'd like to know what "the whole America thing" is but I digress. Nothing more iconic with the Pacific Northwest than Bigfoot. How about a tee shirt for the 12 year old, a Yeti toy for the 7 year old and a puzzle for the 4 year old. I'd also take some postcards highlighting Washington state. Space Needle, Mt. Rainer, Whitby Island. OR nothing more American than baseball so hats, tee's, bobble heads from the Mariners might work. OR for the National image, snow globes of Mt. Rushmore. I'm certain whatever you take will be appreciated.

When I lived in Germany many of my neighbors were into the American "Old West". It seems to be a big thing in that country. So maybe they would like something with a Native American or cowboy theme?

Western/country themed is a good start. A cowboy hat or scarf, mostly for the older one. The kids learn English in school, so a picture dictionary for the younger ones would be nice (or a teen magazine for the older one). The parents may not like it, but candy is always a good one. German candy/chocolate just doesn't have the sugar quality or quantity that American candy has. Something fun like poprocks, a pixy stick, etc.

Puzzles with the states on them or something uniquely American. Local soccer team sports items, like shirts, hats.

Well will give you one tip, the 4 and 7 year old are very much in the toy phase, don't lump the twelve year old in too much with what you get for his much younger brother,, so I would get the two youngsters something, then the older boy something different. Whoever suggested a puzzle must have had puzzle loving kids,, my kids would have considered that like getting "clothes for Christmas" .. lol Its hard when you don't know the kids .

When my brother was studying in Germany he said that the youngsters were always asking for sweatshirts and T-shirts with well-known American university logos on them (something well-known, like Harvard or UCLA, not Slippery Rock U)

Jackson, it's very thoughtful of you to take something for the kids. I like the idea of a US-inspired book or hat for a sports team or candy. I'd be careful with the T-shirts or other clothing - the 12 year old could be a little skinny kid or a much larger boy - it would be a shame if he couldn't wear his gift. I have a 13 year old niece and I've made a few mistakes with her sizes (and I know what she looks like!). Hope you enjoy your trip!

This might work and no arguments about "who gets to use it first." http://www.spaceshots.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=spaceshots&Product_Code=1105&Category_Code=124

In my travels I've noticed that Disney is recognized in most countries and is very "american". On the funny side, you could bring them a snuggie. LOL

A lot of American things - like knockoffs of Snuggies - are available here in Europe. Non-chocolate American candy (anthing Willy Wonka, PopRocks, etc.) would be good. Picture books of the area you're from would be good. Like others have said, clothing is difficult if you don't know the sizes. I'd be leery of an English book or CD if you're trying to be accepted into the family and don't know for certain that they'd embrace it and not feel like you were trying to push English on them. Cowboy dress up stuff for the 4yo boy does sound good, though. 7yo girl could like it or not - tough call at that age.

"not feel like you were trying to push English on them." Dina, perhaps this is a cultural difference between France and Germany? In my estimation very, very few Germans would react negatively to an English book or CD. Germans have been eagerly teaching their kids English for centuries. As Mark Twain wrote in the 1880's, "Anyone who knows anything in Germany, knows English."

I don't disagree that a lot of German's embrace learning English and would welcome a gift of a book in English. However, the OP isn't just a traveler coming for a visit, he is being introduced to the family of his girlfriend, which, as I interpret it, has the implication that he may one day be part of that family. It's a little bit more delicate of a situation, especially given the denouncement of "multi-kulti" and the desire to have immigrants assimiliate into German culture. I also look at it from the German sister's point of view. She's probably going to have a lot running through her head as she thinks about her sister's (OP's girlfriend) future if she stays involved with someone who is from another continent. I

I had a French friend visit me here in the US a couple of years ago, and she wanted to take her nephew a very American toy. We went to Toys R Us, and she picked out a toy semi. She thought it was perfect--apparently they don't have those over there? My point is, toys are probably quite different over there, though certainly some ex-pats would be better ones to make that comparison. Head to a toy store, explain to a clerk what price range and ages/genders you are looking for, and let them help. Foreign (by which, of course, I mean American) toys will be a novelty, which I think is as much fun as the "American thing." Good luck!