Hi Everyone, We are going to Ireland for the first time for two weeks in September. I would like to take gifts for several people who live there and who we are meeting up with and are acting as guides for us. We live in Canada, and outside of the obvious maple syrup, were wondering if any of you have suggestions for things we enjoy and perhaps take for granted in North America, that are hard to find in Ireland. Someone said that good chocolate is hard to come by there. We are open to, and welcome, any suggestions. Thanks in advance.
Rob in Toronto
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Maple syrup might be hard to pack (it would have to be in checked baggage unless you are taking tiny bottles that are 100 ml or less). And they have good chocolate - Cadbury, in all of its varieties. I would suggest something about your home area - a photographic calendar or book, or perhaps maple candy? I have taken small items of locally produced pottery, candy, scarves, calendars, photo books.
Posted by
USA
69 posts
I agree that something characteristic of your local area is a great idea. We gave our cottage hosts a photo book of Kentucky horse farms and a cookbook of traditional southern recipes. Simple but they really appreciated it. They shared their culture with us for a week, so we gave them a little bit of our culture too.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Rob, take them out for a nice lunch or dinner and let them choose the restaurant.
Posted by
Kingsville, Ontario
165 posts
Rob: For holding a cottage rental for us without a deposit,we gifted our hosts a bottle of ice wine. The bottles are small, easy to pack ( we don't mind checking bags) and the wine it self is rare in Ireland. The distinctive Canadian label doesn't hurt either. Or how about those sweat shirts with " Muskoka" or canoe type stuff on them? As for maple syrup, we've seen Ontario syrup in Irish shops. It's not cheep but they can get it.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Rob, you're so close to the famous Hockey Hall of Fame, Maple Leafs (the team), and you have Tim Hortons. Ok, maybe doughnuts aren't the best gift, but you can bring a tin of TH coffee. When I go to Canada (from So Cal) I raid the Roots store. Maybe a scarf or a touque? Toronto has plenty of things to bring to someone as a gift... maybe even something simple as a pot holder or tea towel with the maple leaf logo would be nice. Someone gave me a magnet from Edmonton. Actually it was a Mountie standing in attention, and it says "eh!". Hope that helps!
Posted by
Kingsville, Ontario
165 posts
One of our greatest delights in Ireland was finding Tim Hortons coffee and donuts in on sale, not real Timmies stores mind you, but kiosks in shops and gas stations.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
Moose ears? Wooden loon? Moccasins? Maple syrup candies?