Hi everyone!
I didn't know where the best spot to post this would be, so...

I would like to bring some small gift from my town or from California or from the United States that could show my appreciation to my hostal hosts.

Does anyone have any suggestions of something from the states that the Spaniards cannot easily come by, but that they like?

Thanks,
Uphilldeb

something from your very TOWN. Pins are popular, or mementos of where you live. Sounds like a nice thing to do!

Thanks for the suggestion, Rgf!

I suppose since I live in a beautiful tourist town myself, it will be easy to find something like pins.

In addition, I thought I should like to bring something like a bag of Hershey's kisses to leave a piece on our pillows each day for our housekeeping service.

You know, "Hershey's... The Great American Chocolate Bar!" LOL

But then, maybe they have Hershey's in Spain, too? Or maybe they don't like American chocolate. If not the chocolate, can you think of any fun, individually wrapped American candy that would be good for such a purpose?

Hmm...I don't have a clue if customs would have a problem with this sort of thing either.

Thanks again!!!!
Uphilldeb

Hi, Uphilldeb!

Please, please, please, don't take Hershey's kisses. Compared to the wonderful European chocolate all Spaniards eat, kisses taste like cardboard! I once had a terribly embarrassing experience when I gave a Spanish woman a Hershey's kiss to try, and she could barely swallow it. Even now, I can't bear to eat kisses after so many years eating rich European chocolate.

All the Spaniards I know love chocolate, so the idea of taking chocolates is actually a good one. But it would be better to take mini Snickers, or 3 Musketeers, or something like that. (Now that Halloween is coming, you can find sacks of good little things.) Just not Hershey's kisses, or plain Hershey's chocolate bars!!

I don't think you'll have any trouble with customs. And you may want to buy some chocolate there yourself!

I would not buy mini snickers because snickers are available all over Europe, so they would be nothing particular. I have never seen 3 Musketeers and I am not exactly sure what it is.
I think in Europe a product that is sold as chocolate has to have a certain percentage of cocoa butter, which is more expensive in production. Probably that is why the taste of chocolate is different.
What about peanut butter cups, or something else based on peanut butter? That is something not easily available there.
Anyway, I do not think you have to worry about customs.

[This message has been edited by connie (edited 09-18-2000).]

Gads, girls!

Good thing I asked about the Hershey's! Hahaha. That would be so embarrassing to try to give them a gift and have it be disgusting! Yikes!!!

Hmmm...if chocolate is kind of iffy all together, I even wonder about Reeses Peanut Butter cups...they're made by Hershey, I think.

Sheesh! This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. It is good that the small sizes of candy are available right now, but picking something fun and interesting and GOOD is going to be a problem.

If you have a brainstorm, let me know. I'll keep checking here for a few more days. We leave the 27th!

With appreciation,
Deb

I still think something typical from your town, and that's all, is more than enough to bring. Please remember that los hostales are family run hotels, and they probably never get gifts. They will appreciate a small gesture but more than that would probably seem demasiado (too much) to them. If you are going to hostal Lopez, it seems everyone is treated very well by that family, so a small gift is certainly going to be a nice touch! looking forward to hearing of your experiences....

What about fridge magnets? Who doesn't like those!? Also, they're practical!

I think I have one. What about Pez? There are so many different kinds and sending refills with letters always seems to work for me. It's a great way to keep in touch with people and everytime I pass a Pez display, I think of that person. Or does this sound too hokey?

I have to agree with rgf (is there a smiley for "waving white flag"???).
I think it´s more than enough to bring your host one little gift. Spaniards wouldn´t really understand the gesture of leaving a candy bar or some chocolate on your pillow every morning.
And one thing I definitely would not bring is Reesse´s Peanut Butter cups. I mean peanut butter is a little better known in Spain now than 10 years ago, but it´s not really THE thing to eat
What I think is very american is a Cheeseburger, although I don´t think the housekeeping service would think it´s very funny, finding a burger on the pillow every morning
Saludos
PS: To avoid missunderstandings-the last sentence is a joke, OK?