Travel to Spain

Well, that's a tough one, but I can tell you what we carried home from our trip to Spain in December: a colorful glass bull; some Spanish red (if not in checked luggage, must be purchased within the secure area at the airport); olive oil; marzepan from Toledo; a book on Gaudi's Casa Mila; and some handmade glass candle holders from a market in Barcelona!

Carla,
My daughter just brought home a painting that she rolled up and carried on with her from her honeymoon. They had it framed and it looks lovely hanging in her home. She also brought back a bottle of wine in her checked bag.

The way I understand Carla's question is that she wants to take small gifts FROM home. At least, that is how her message reads.

Your request is confusing. However, if you mean gifts to give to hosts in Spain, I recommend going to a dollar store to shop for gifts which will represent your state or region.

Foreigners like picture post cards from the U.S. If you are concerned about added weight to your luggage, select paper or small wooden gifts.

Our friends in Australia and New Zealand were thrilled with a small Texas flag we gave them.

Bravo, Norma! Boy, I simply misread Carla's post...read it much too quickly. We usually bring something from Chicago, i.e. Wrigley's gum, Fannie May candy, something like that, small and relatively inexpensive. If you can find it, I think it's nice to bring something actually FROM you own locale (granted, it's harder and harder to find that stuff). It's fun to give that stuff away to people who show even small kindnesses to you while abroad.

A photo book on your state or the country in general.

I brought shot glasses from Walmart (with Texan symbols on them) and packs of cards, some read "Don't Mess With Texas" or had Texan symbols as well. Each gift costs about $3.

One thing that I'll frequently bring back from the States when I'm there for a visit are license plates. Any junkyard will sell them quite cheap, and they're easy to pack. Also, dollar bills are popular, especially as a tip in a bar. (Certainly more appreciated than the comparable value in euros.)