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Visiting German Family

We will be visiting German family outside of Frankfurt (Waibstadt) - our neighbors back in Mountain View, CA. They have invited us - we will be seeing them after 30 years. Looking for suggestions on what we should bring them ... Flowers ? Wine ? Is there a German custom ?

Posted by
6 posts

I grew up visiting family in Germany every summer and we would bring American goodies that weren't available in Germany! Mostly candy, peanut butter, and cereals.

Posted by
536 posts

I was going to suggest kind of the same thing. My kids did an exchange with high school kids at a Gymnasium in Bavaria. They took American gifts to their host families. We live in Atlanta, so I sent things like cheese straws, toasted pecans, a folk-arty print of a map of Georgia, things like that. One of our exchange students had two little brothers, so we bought t-shirts of our MLS team for them.

Posted by
3020 posts

A lot of US sweets are available in German supermarkets and specialized online shops. Flowers are an option but buy them in Germany - hopefully your hosts do not have allergies in that direction.

Have a look at German customs' restrictions and duties and taxes.

I would rather invite them to a good restaurant visit of their choice.

Posted by
9224 posts

Peanut butter and American candy are widely available and bringing wine isn't really advisable. Anything specific to your city or state?
I would take them out to eat.

Posted by
8055 posts

I second Mark and Ms. Jo's suggestions. Take them out to eat to a nice restaurant. I've seen so many American products in German grocery stores, that unless you bring something really unusual, they probably have it available.

Posted by
107 posts

Thanks everyone --
couple of issues ... we are already in Germany (Berlin) .. we go next Tuesday to their place) . We had not thought beforehand to bring from the US :(

Secondly - they are inviting us for Dinner .. so taking them out is out :)
(no pun intended)

Posted by
9224 posts

Then a nice bouquet of flowers would be in order.