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Another gift question - England

Posted by (XXX) on

We were invited to spend a week or two in Oxford, England by one of my husband's ex-graduate students. I only met her once and we got along very well. She is from Algeria (not that it matters too much), is in her late 30s and does not like to cook.

We asked what she would like from the States and she said there was nothing she could think of. She said if we were coming from Belgium she would ask for chocolates, and if we were French she would ask for cheese, LOL She is Muslim and does not drink alcohol so that is out.

I want to take her something(s) nice, but without knowing her likes and dislikes it's hard. One thing that came to mind was to buy some "college" related things like a sweatshirt with the University's logo on it, and also a mug maybe? Then I thought of locally made candles because most ladies love candles.

Ideas?

Posted by
89 posts

If she was one of your husband's students I assume that the U-gear would have a personal connection for her? So even if shirts with logos aren't "the thing" in Europe it might be something she'd like for that reason. Is there some kind of food/product that is unique to the area wear you live? On my visit to France two years ago I was visiting friends of a friend, so I didn't know them at all, but knew that they like postcards and cheese. At store that sells things made by local artists (the unkown and therefore still affordable) I found a glass cheese platter that had a postcard sort of thing inside of a flattened wine bottle from a local winery. They loved it (or at least said they did... =). It was unique and local, the two things that I think make the best travel gifts (if you don't know the person very well).

Posted by
964 posts

Hi Eli,
The mug idea is nice, but shirts with logos on are not so popular in the UK as they are in the US. It's a tough question. How about getting her something once you're in the UK and have gotten to know her a little better?

Posted by
27 posts

What about some nice toiletries? I am from the US and my English friends (late 20s) always like getting things from Bath and Body Works, Burt's Bees, or any local bath and body shops in your town. (Not the Body Shop or L'Occitaine because these are big in the UK.) You could get little travel sizes and make up a gift bag---so even if she doesn't love one particular scent, she's gotten to try some American soaps, lotions, shower gels, bubble baths, etc.

Posted by
1170 posts

I like the idea of the bath products. Most women love those things, and Bath & Bodyworks would be different.

I know the logo thing isn't big in the UK but for someone who graduated from a University I would think that might have some special meaning.

We may write to a mutual friend (another ex-student) who works with her and ask him if he could think of anything in particular she would like. Something by a local artist is a good idea too.

Thanks for the suggestions.

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