Comments | deutsche_kultur: GIFT GIVING between Germany and the USA

breakingthrunow in deutsche_kultur

GIFT GIVING between Germany and the USA

Oct 25, 2007 12:52

I will be travelling on the transatlantic route again this December and will need to bring presents on both ends. I thought this is a good place to start my gift planning and ask your opinions -- we can keep it in the group for future reference.
Thanks in advance for any ideas! :)

To the Americans in the groupWhat would YOU most like to receive ( Read more... )

breakingthrunow, gifts, transatlantic travel, usa:germany, geschenke

Comments 111

gwennaelle October 25 2007, 20:38:15 UTC

I received a dirndl as a gift the last time I visited Germany. That was pretty damn rad. Granted, I can't do much with it here, but I just loooove looking at it in my closet. :D

breakingthrunow October 26 2007, 12:49:48 UTC

Wow, Dirndls seem popular, haha. I'm German but they're so totally Bavarian to me. I think they can be cute in girls who have the body for it.

gwennaelle October 26 2007, 12:54:41 UTC

Yeah, I spent the majority of my time in Ingolstadt and Füssen! :)

zimtkeks October 25 2007, 20:40:34 UTC

Sweets that are only availabe in the other country are always good. And I like shirts that say where they're from; if they fit and look nice, that is. Not the cheap stuff.

breakingthrunow October 26 2007, 12:54:01 UTC

Oh, it's Christmas in your icon. :D The shirt thing is a good idea, thanks. I think 2 of my younger cousins might like the some of the local ones that say Malibu, UCLA or whatever.

zimtkeks October 26 2007, 15:01:17 UTC

Yes, with these temperatures outside and then talking about presents ... ;-)
I have a very nice shirt I bought in Shanghai and another great one a friend sent me from L.A. I like these, because they're not only from cool places, but the fit me in size and color and all. I'm very much for that kind of Mitbringsel.

lirren October 25 2007, 20:45:52 UTC

German Gummy bears. Yes, I know that sounds odd, but my husband won a bet over a hockey game once with a friend of his in Germany, and the result of the bet was that we got a huge box of German candies. The chocolate was wonderful, but the GUMMY BEARS. I'm telling you, you can not get gummy bears that taste that good here in the U.S.

Beer steins. My father has some really beautiful beer steins from Germany that he got decades ago and I've always been fascinated with them.

Pictures of the castles. Germany always puts me in mind of fairy tales, and having pictures of the castles would be one of my favorite things.

breakingthrunow October 26 2007, 13:03:15 UTC

Like any good German, I love gummi bears. On the US end, you guys might want to have a look at German Deli - they're in Texas like you. The best brands are Haribo and Katjes http://www.germandeli.com/sweets-gummitreats.html

lirren October 26 2007, 14:44:33 UTC

OOOOH!! Thank you so much! Oh, god, I'm totally breaking my diet now. *grin*

breakingthrunow October 26 2007, 14:50:04 UTC

Tell me about it, lol. I want everything in that store and it will only get worse when I actually go home to Germany for Christmas. I will gain 20 pounds in that month if I don't watch it.

(The comment has been removed)

arthenadent October 25 2007, 21:46:40 UTC

Customs limits the amount of wine you can bring back; I think to less than five bottles. Most airlines also have strict baggage weight standards, so you're restricted two ways. Also, if possible, bring back white wine only! I've had bottles crack in transit, and red wine is much harder to wash out of all your clothes than white!

pompier October 26 2007, 08:15:52 UTC

Pay the deposit on the litre beer mugs at the biergartens in Munich, then just nonchalantly slip them into your backpack you just happen to have handy. Don't forget to wipe them out first!

I think security likes to control backpacks when you exit the Biergarten - at least they do it at the Oktoberfest. Still, nice gift!

ionicaq October 25 2007, 20:55:59 UTC

Beer steins. As an American the one thing that screams "Germany" to me more than a beer stein.

Oh, and castles. Although castles remind me of just about anything European, not just Germany. And I'm not sure how you'd get a castle into you luggage... ;)

pompier October 26 2007, 08:17:01 UTC

Funny, how "beer stone" (that's what it translates to) is a "German-sounding" word that's never used in Germany for that purpose. It's "Krug" or "Humpen" or something.

Just like Germans use "Handy" for their mobile/cell-phone. "It sounds coooool" is the given reason ... o.O

breakingthrunow October 26 2007, 13:18:20 UTC

I remember when I first heard "stein" here in the US and went huh? I was thinking maybe they derived it from Steingut, which must sound funny to an English speaker. Most of the "steins" I have seen here are the really elaborate kind that's more for show. And they cost insane amounts over here. http://www.steincenter.com/stein/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=14

Not to mention the "lovely" nazi-themed ones... lol
http://www.steincenter.com/stein/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=49

Can you imagine this in Germany? ;)