I have a friend in Ireland right now, and another friend going to visit her, and she just emailed me to say that if I wanted anything she'd pick it up for me. They are going to Glasgow, Barcelona, Rome, and Dublin. And I really can't think of anything specific to those places that I'd want that she could bring back for me. I asked her to try and find me a specific kind of champagne that's harder to get around here, but, other than that I'm drawing a blank. World trade has really made it hard to make shopping overseas fun and unique, you know, when you aren't actually going.
So, any ideas? What would you want someone to bring you back?
Posted by rollainm (Member # 8318) on :
Lots of pictures.
Posted by BlueWizard (Member # 9389) on :
I have a lot of friend who simply pick up a rock when they travel. That way you can always have a piece of Ireland (or where every you happen to be) with you.
Steve
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'll get pictures whether I want them or not. My friend is a notorious shutterbug.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Steal some road signs. Then you can compare them to our superior American road signs.
You could put an american 'STOP' sign next to a british 'do pardon me but might I suggest a temporary cessation of forward movement, if you are hopefully so inclined' sign.
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
Chocolate.
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
The head of Colin Farrell on a silver platter, still attached to the rest of him below the silver platter.
If they're going to Italy--good cheap wines, and ask 'em to see if they can smuggle a couple mozzarellas through Customs.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Plenty of good rocks in Ireland. I have several. They sell bits of Conamara marble in gift stores. It is lovely.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
A vintage Pucci scarf from a thriftstore. (You'd look dashing! )
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
quote:Originally posted by Samprimary: Steal some road signs. Then you can compare them to our superior American road signs.
You could put an american 'STOP' sign next to a british 'do pardon me but might I suggest a temporary cessation of forward movement, if you are hopefully so inclined' sign.
*giggle*
You should ask her for the same type of memento from each place... then you can start a collection. Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
Euros.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Excalibur.
Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :
Hedgehog figurines. Unless you don't collect them (who doesn't?)
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
When we honeymooned in Ireland, we brought back a bodhran and a sheep. The best possible souvenir from Rome is, without question, the Popener.
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
"we brought back a...sheep."
A ceramic sheep figurine? I have a hard time imagining you getting a live sheep through customs. Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
quote:Originally posted by TomDavidson: When we honeymooned in Ireland, we brought back a bodhran and a sheep. The best possible souvenir from Rome is, without question, the Popener.
I got a scarf from Ireland, but the Popener was BY FAR the coolest thing anyone's ever brought me from overseas. Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
I second chocolate, definitely - from Scotland or Ireland. It tastes very different from American. They have gorgeous stationary shops in Italy, with handmade-paper notebooks, glass pens and scented inks in thousands of colours - if you like that sort of thing.
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
Scented inks? Are those sold only to tourists, or do the locals buy them too?
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
My boss brought me back chocolates filled with 12-year Scotch after a trip to Edinburgh. Another trip to Ireland netted me a small Waterford dish that I use for jewelry. He hasn't been to Spain or Italy while I've been working for him.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Steven, if I went to Ireland/the UK/Great Britain I would be working on brining home a sheep. I think I'd skip the Pucci
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
"I would be working on brining home a sheep."
You would...preserve a sheep in salt water?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Actually that can hurt the follicles, so more likely a vinegar solution.
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
I has a follicle. Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Fake Prada bags. You can also get them in any given Chinatown, but I'm bringing a ton of them back from Italy. That's not loving hard -- that's loving smart.
Also, if they have Sainsbury's in Ireland (it's a British supermarket chain), ask her to bring back chocolate-coated cornflake clusters. They sound absolutely bizarre, but they're honestly just about the best food I've ever had.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
They sell those in the little kosher grocery around the corner from me. Some Israeli brand.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Klik, probably.
Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :
A small wooden box with a unique design on it. I have always loved wooden boxes with carvings on them. Plus, it is nice enough to display and fun/easy to store jewelry or little trinkets inside.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Some great ideas.
CT - What's a Pucci scarf?
Dan - I already asked for that, but they had to scratch the day they were spending in Avalon. I wouldn't mind a French rapier or a scottish broadsword.
Tom/Carrie - What's a Popener?
I couldn't think of any kind of liquor that they could get me over there that I couldn't just get here, with the exception of some kinds of Champagne that are harder to find around here. I want a doux.
My mom suggested Irish linen, but I don't know why it's so special.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Vintage 60s psychadelic print fabric, very high quality silk, genuine collector's items. The brand still exists, but it is the vintage work that I know is collectible (can't vouche for the rest).
Edited to add: IIRC, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis wore Pucci.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
lol. Gotcha.
Not really to my taste either. It's not nearly worth the razzing I'd get from my friends and brother over it.
Any idea off the top of your head of what clothing they might have over there that would be hard to get here that I might be interested in?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Irish or Scottish wool product? (e.g, sweater)
I believe Irish linen is controlled by guild to ensure quality.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'm hesitant to get wool. My skin has a bad reaction to wool unless I wear a thick longs leeve turtleneck underneath to totally shield me from it. And I don't like turtlenecks.
Oo, maybe I'll take a look at the linen then. I'll feel a bit like a girl looking up linen, but I have growing interest in aquiring unique items that could be potential heirlooms.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Keep an eye out for vintage Pucci, then, as well. Hey, a stylish Euro-chic girlfriend would appreciate it.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Last time I was in Paris (december) I bought wonderful leather shoes from a boutique. Shoes are fantastic in paris and Rome.
You might like a florentine leather notebook or diary, or a jacket from italy with calfskin or leather.
The shoes would be something to think about- just give your friend actual measurements of your foot, not sizes. The sizes are supposedly standard, but are different effectively for every company and in every country. Also, the french and italians will usually tell you to buy a shoe that is quite snug at first, and will break in wonderfully in a few weeks, which is why their shoes do fit so well.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
A broadsword? You want your friends to schlep around a broadsword for you on their travels? I don't even think that would fit in a suitcase.
By the time they return home, they'd hate you.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: Tom/Carrie - What's a Popener?
Well, that certainly brings a new meaning to "churchkey"!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I would spend waaay too much money on cute kid clothes. But that probably doesn't interest you. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: A broadsword? You want your friends to schlep around a broadsword for you on their travels? I don't even think that would fit in a suitcase.
By the time they return home, they'd hate you.
Yeah but, I'll have a broadsword. They'll love me or suffer the consequences!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: They'll love me or suffer the consequences!
You falling over? Those suckers are HEAVY.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
There could be ill effects for them from the thud I make when I hit the ground.
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My friend is a notorious shutterbug.
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