Gifts for staying at our Italian friends' house for 3 days

Penzey's spices - small, light, you can order on-line. All the family members will love it.

Some typical products or artifacts from your area. American baseball hats are available all over Italy.
Where are you from in the USA?

Really tough to give advice since we have no idea what their family is like and what kinds of things interest them. I would say, forget for a moment that they're Italian and just think about what you know of their interests. For example, if they are keen on history, get a small gift from a historical museum near you. OTOH, traditional hostess gifts include soap; you could buy a couple of bars of handmade soap from an artisan near you. If you want to bring something edible, here's some info on bringing food into Italy https://getawaytips.azcentral.com/food-plane-luggage-italy-5876.html

I always take a bottle of local wine (Ontario) and a box of local chocolates for my hosts, even if I am renting. Why would they like Nike products - are the men all blessed with extraordinarily large feet?

Are they English-literate? how about a game found in the USA and not in Italy? Something easy and good for all ages/group size...Uno?

Is there a specialty food that is produced where you live and superior to a similar product in Italy? Textiles like kitchen towels that illustrate your geographic area? (Similar to what tourists bring home from Europe.) A calendar...national parks photos,etc. I'm trying to think of the items I bring home from my trips.

And...do you have photos from the time of the exchange student's visit? .

I second the idea of Penzeys spices! We are fortunate to have a Penzeys store close by, but buying from their website is great as well. They frequently have reduced shipping rates. Not only do they have small lightweight jars, but also offer their spices in sealed bags (perfect for packing flat in a suitcase).

I've taken small food/liquor gifts, or treat them to dinner. After returning home, I've followed up with a more substantial gift sent after spending time with the hosts in their home. For example, once I noted that my host collected brass figurines, so I sent a nice one to her after I got home with my thank you note. I don't think sports stuff translates well.

Maybe a coffeetable type book of beautiful photos and text about your city area or your state, one for the whole family.
PS: I don’t know Penzey’s spices, are they especially “American”. Seems to me Americans often come back from Italy with wonderful Italian spice mixes, more than the other way around.

A gesture that the whole family would enjoy is to just take them all out to lunch or dinner one day. The mother of the family would like that, I expect. Otherwise what can you bring for five people?

Thank you everyone for your ideas and suggestions. Someone asked me where we are from. We live near Seattle, Washington. I have been thinking about getting something local also, so it is nice to hear some people suggesting that. Nike product and baseball cap ideas came from my husband's parents who hosted the exchange student, but it is more than 30 years ago. I think at that time the exchange student was a teenager. With all your suggestions, I now have a good direction. I will make sure to at least treat them lunch and/or dinner. Thank you!

The vacuum-packed, shelf-stable smoked salmon makes a good gift with local Seattle roots. There are packages available at Costco and elsewhere. Make sure it is wild sockeye salmon for the best quality.

Generally, we take boxes of chocolate from a local chocolatier or we take logo shot glasses from the Steelers or the university where I teach. We've even taken Harley Davidson cordial glasses or tees. During our first trip in 1980 we took cartons of American cigarette because my cousins asked for them. We also brought bottles of bourbon because they were unique the the USA. Taking bottles of whiskey now may present a bunch of problems.

Anything locally made or typically American would be a welcome gift.

Buon viaggio

As Canadians, we've taken things that are typical for our region or country. Maple syrup, smoked fish, local chocolates, coffee table book that features the beautiful sites near where you live, ice wine, etc. We've also taken our hosts out for dinner.

Hey, fellow Seattleite. A box of salted caramel chocolates from Fran's would be a wonderful gift from Seattle. There's one type that was the Obamas' favorite so that's the one I would take if I were you.

(Someone suggested an UNO deck, but those are available in Europe. That's where we bought ours.)

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for you wonderful suggestions again. As you all pointed out about the local products, I remember all the good stuff we produce here around Seattle. I wrote down all your ideas, and will pick and choose with my husband : ) I also requested her pictures from my hustand's parents. I am going to print them out and bring them to her.

You are so awesome. I can't wait to see Italy for the first time!