Yeah, perfume is a good idea, but what about father in law? My mum used to take her mother in law (my Egyptian grandma) perfume, bags, dresses/suits and often material. I guess it depends on what your folks are like, age etc..Cant remember what we used to take for Grandpa..he wasnt much in need of anything and it was a strain i'm sure..will ask mum.

Have a great trip.

Adults here even like stuffed animals, so if you wanted to bring a stuffed Disney character, that would be treasured I think. Pencils, pens, anything like that would be treasured, even by the adults.

We have Toys-R-Us, but we don't have a Disney store here yet.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Debbie:
You know I've been racking my brain to try to think what epitomizes California that isn't fruit or something agricultural

---

hollywood? movie capital of the world?

(i always get a crack up of those cards they sell which look like real snapshot pictures of celebrities -- so you can tell people back home you saw them and took that picture ...i think that would be a funny joke gift for a teenager in the family)

I've read suggestions for chocolates, and some foreign touristy type gifts...but I have a few things in mind as well including:

- Pictorial of books of where you come from, like a nice coffee table book.
- Hijabs or scarves for women (although I'm not sure if this is necessary since the scarves may actually be Egyptian exports )
- Small pins or brooches to decorate hijabs, I live in BC and bought this tiny BC Jade that was carved into a maple leaf. Very Canadian , very local.
- Picture frames (with an engraving of person's name or something more personal)
- Wallets, funky purses, shirts from local companies.
- Pens, journals.

I think that the more personal you go, you can't go wrong. If the person receiving the gift knows you put thought into it, the more it's appreciated. That's why I'm a big fan of engraved picture frames, on coffee table books that they can display.