Gift for Austrian family

How about a book with photographs about your home state or the U.S. (National Geographic has some beautiful books out, so do others: Picturesque Road Trips; National Parks; State Parks etc.), some CDs with Jazz, Blues or Country music or Spirituals. I've taken a road atlas before; it was a big hit.

Hi Denise,

... we imagine your 21 y/o Austrian friend has a good grasp of English; she would probably treasure a copy of a book of poetry - such as a collection of poems by Robert Frost, or maybe the English poet A. E. Housman " A Shropshire Lad" - a poignant collection of poems especially appropriate for people about 21 y/o.
... or maybe just a pint of Extra Fancy Maple Syrup... always good ... Have a great trip...P

I second the idea of a photo book about Illinois. Borders Books has a great one that I took to my friends in Spain last year. It has pictures of all areas of the state, starting in the north and going south. It was about $18, as I recall, and I especially liked it because the text was full of trivia-type information (state bird, or how Starved Rock got its name, etc.) and it was written in a way that was easy for my friends (whose English is good, but not flawless) to understand. Look for it in the Regional Interest section.

If there is some unique confection found only in your area, that is always welcome (there is keen curiosity about other countries' favorite things). Just don't make it chocolate - Austrians have plenty of that, and all is very good. We brought chocolate-covered macadamia nuts that went over well; the chocolate-enrobed Dilettante mix of dried fruit not so.

Denise, the 21 y.o. may like American fashion magazines or something with celebrity gossip. For the family, give something that Illinois is known for.

I agree.. I would definitely avoid chocolates.

Hmm, regional goods are usually a hit. I would think that book suggestions that were made would be a good idea. Not for the entire gift, but for little trinkets or fill ins, many of my friends overseas really enjoyed take out single serving containers of unique condiments that they don't have. For example, my Austraian friend gave everyone little containers of vegamite she nicked from a McDonald's.