Gifts for Relatives in Sicily

The photo albums are a great idea, it's a special gift.

It's difficult to take something to people you haven't met; along with the albums, perhaps something classic like a good bottle of Sicilian wine and some flowers?

Sorry Zoe, but taking Sicilian Wine to Sicily - isn't that like carrying coal to Newcastle???

Jules: I your case I might take some good American wine or some other typical American items.

How about some Cleveland Indians, Browns, or Cavs cap, visor, or key chain. That is exotic and very American to them because our sports are known widely overseas. I also take pecans because they are American and not found overseas--can't eat buckeyes, unfortunately. I once took Jelly Bellies to our French family children but quickly learned they found them too sweet and artificial. Also, stay away from that wine they make near where you live--too sweet. But some of those homemade jams might be appreciated, especially blueberry, another fruit from the Americas that is only now hitting European markets.
I've taken dried Michigan cherries that were only politely accepted, but the Kentucky bourbon and the bourbon fudge from a monastery in Kentucky were BIG hits. Note that all these objects play into a folkloric stereotype of our country.

I think your handmade photo album gift is a great idea. I would leave it at that...I wouldn't bring American food stuffs or candy or wine since they have better versions of it right at home (sorry to say that but their food just tastes better and fresher and less sweet). I'm not sure how American sports teams paraphernalia would be meaningful, since they are soccer fans not American sports fans. Something that is truly unique here is our national parks (I would say especially out west - places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc.) - maybe a lovely book of our national parks or something that inspires travel to the US? That may be a cheesy idea but I love looking at photos of landscapes that are different than my homeland.

ip, you got me! Giving a Sicilian wine in Sicily just shows that you appreciate the high quality of the local product; wine, flowers, a tray of pastries is what one family would bring to another for a special occasion. "Coals to Newcastle" did make me laugh, though.

I never think that a gift has to be from my hometown (buckeyes are really sweet). Without knowing if the family members are into sports, memorabilia could be tricky.

Why not go with your photo albums as a start, but get them gifts once you are there and have a better sense of what they might like.
You can always send them something once you get back home, or spend some time getting them something while you are there.

Of course you can always take them out for dinner, or treat them to something that they might appreciate after you get to know them.

Baseball caps are appreciated by young Italian kids. American food specialties work too, even if they are just local chocolates or jellies (I'm thinking about lilikoi jelly from Hawaii). I wouldn't bother with wine because it is heavy and it's a hassle to carry on flights. You need special containers because you need to check it in.

Uh, to clarify, you would buy the wine in Sicily, better selection and no packing worries.

Ah, but you can eat Buckeyes...by the pound, in fact,, as long as they're the peanut butter chocolate variety. How about a dozen or so for your family? I thought the albums is a wonderful idea I'm sure they'll cherish.

Peanut butter. Seriously. Most Italians love it and they can't find it over there. You can buy some pretty tiny jars to pack with your things.

Dark chocolate covered cranberries were always a big hit with guests from Europe.

Thank You all for the wonderful ideas !! I decided to go with locally made edibles ... I will be bringing them ½ pint bottles of local maple syrup, bags of maple sugar candies and boxes of Ohio Buckeye candies (chocolate-covered peanut butter). I appreciate all the advice and hope my "new" family in Sicily will find the items from their US relatives delicious : )

On our first trip to Italy among other gifts we brought were small bottles of Maine maple syrup. None of my Italian family spoke English which almost made for a bit of a disaster. I thought we had explained some uses for the syrup but my Italian then was quite 'unreliable'. Thankfully we were able to stop my cousin Maria from using the syrup for shampoo!!! I never did get the concept of pancakes or French toast explained. I ended up telling them to use it on gelato:-)

I am also bringing some brochures explaining how maple syrup is made, and although the writing is English, there are pictures. Our Italian is very limited and we do not speak any Sicilian, so we have an interpreter/guide who will be taking us to visit both sets of families. Hopefully, he will be able to explain to everyone what maple syrup is and we will avoid any "sticky" situations : )

I recently rented a cottage in France which was for the second time, and because the owners had been so very kind to me the first time, I wanted to bring them something and decided on Sees candy because it is not available in Europe (as far as I know). They were surprised and seemed pleased.

I like all the suggestions of food items, candy, etc. So much better than the frequently offered ideas of a picture book of your home town, or a calendar with pictures of your home town, or a pennant from your home town's football team. You know in your heart all such items go into a bottom drawer never to be seen again. Exactly where they belong.

My first visit to Italy finding my family was in 1980 and we took cartoons of cigarettes along with a few bottles of bourbon for my great-uncles. We selected bourbon because it is uniquely American and cigarettes because most of the men smoked back then. The men really liked the American cigarettes even though we are non-smokers. Do not be surprised if you meet all sorts of relatives you never knew you had. Now when we return we bring boxes of locally made chocolates, maybe some Harley Davidson tees, or cordial glasses with the logo from the university where I teach.

Someone above mentioned key chains with our pro sports team logos and that seems like a good idea. It's always a good idea to arrive with some small gifts, and IMHO, and things from America are appropriate.

Buon viaggio,

I once gave all my colleagues in Japan Texas pralines. Of course they were a bit too sweet for the Japanese pallet but they really enjoyed that it was a treat from my home state. Likewise, my husband's Korean colleagues gave him a type of candied seaweed. We could only eat a few but it was a lot of fun. My friend's British colleagues always want her to brings bags of Hershey miniatures. My husband's Japanese colleagues game him a small cloth banner of Japan's most celebrated samurai. It's one of my favorite gifts.