I'm from Virginia, USA visiting family in Greece. What items that are rare in Greece that I can bring to them?

Question

I'm planning to bring Ketchup and peanut butter. But I know I can bring more than that...But WHAT?

Answer 1

I remember when we used to bring back tons of peanut butter when we would visit the States!!  :)   But seriously you can find everything from Froot Loops to maple syrup here nowadays....thank goodness!!  :)

Answer 2

Three things I never was able to find in Greece were Skittles, chicken broth, and ranch dressing..... (if you are talking about food items.)   Oh, and one more thing that I am sure will make a big hit.....powdered lemonade, you know, like Wylers, Country Time and Crystal Light. And while your at it, you could buy them one of those nice Tupperware pitchers that fits on any shelf in the refrigerator.

Answer 3

You can find ketchup and peanut butter here.  What else do you want to bring?  If they don't have it here I'll tell you.  Where does your family live?  If they live in Athens you don't have to bring anything unless you want a specific type of chocolate or something.  But anyway, what's the point of travelling if you bring food from your country and not try food from the one you're visiting?

Answer 4

I would suggest you leave the ketchup and peanut butter home (or better yet send to the poor kids in Africa).

There isn't really anything that you can't find in Greece nowadays. Years ago I brought jars of peanut butter as it was the only thing my daughter was eating.

Back then I had hard time finding cream cheese as well. Now you can find these items in any corner supermarket

I wouldn't suggest you bring any kind of food.

Maybe you bring something your relatives can put on display in their home. If you plan to stay with them for awhile try to spend some money for some decent souvenir(s).

My mom loved a photo frame I brought her once with my son's photo and voice wishing her well after her surgery and promising to see her in the summer.

I know crystals can be a nice addition to any living room and a conversation starter.Costa Boda crystals are very popular in Greece.(make sure you carry any fragile item with you)

Your relatives will feel proud to display something special from you and show to their friends

For younger female relatives jewelry, gold or silver, is always a welcomed gift.

Answer 5

There's nothing that Greece doesn't have - there are certain things we wouldn't want to have unless you are an expat. For example if my parents arrive from UK they bring gravy powder / Bird's custard / tea bags (mainly for my mum) / mint sauce and boxes of chocolate .. plus selection boxes (kids christmas choc boxes) They used to bring clothes for me and the kids - not because they aren't available here (obviously they are) but because they are MUCH cheaper but then eBay arrived so I am well happy!

My Canadian friend always brings back cranberry sauce and maple syrup - once again that's because she's an expat.

I helped my nextdoor neighbour buy shoes from Zappos as she wears size 43 and that size is impossible to find in Greece - which is crazy nowadays as the kids are so tall! My daughter's 9 and wears the same size as me! So you could ask them!

BTW I agree with Litsa - buy them a plant/flowers a gateaux and take them out for a meal.

Answer 6

Greek people like designer items that are expensive.

Man love Timberland shoes and Nautica Tshirts for example.Anything that has a famous maker.The same for the ladies ,and the children are something else you can't fool them they know their items very well.

The best think to do is take them out for a nice supper,or send some flowers with a nice card because unles something is good they will not appreciated.  

Answer 7

Ketchup, peanut butter etc is something you wouldn't want to bring to a Greek family unless you want to insult them.

There is actually nothing that you can't find in Greece!

Rare items? Nope! Greece is a modern, European country, and doesn't need any care packages from the US. Try to find something personal or from your home town.

Answer 8

lol  ketchup and peanut butter!  That's fun!  I'm sure they have a hard time finding them.

Here's some ideas I've seen floating around  (most really aren't my own)

T shirts, that represent your town/sports team/university.  Also, baseball caps of the same, especially if you live near one of the bigger teams, Yankees, Bears, Cowboys...you know, that they might have heard of.

I like to think in terms of something that they can display in their living room which represents home.  Something handmade in your home town.  I once brought a glass wall hanging with a pressed columbine and a couple of other wildflowers (state flower of Colorado).  I was a bit chagrined to find one already on her wall.... :)  

Picture frames, again, especially if handmade locally, then make a photo of you with them at, say, the Parthenon, or at a party or something like that, to put in it.

I like the personal touch.

You could get some touristy kitschy things from Washington, if you live close enough.  But, of course, all that is made in China, anyway.

Answer 9

No foods...they fill take that from you at customs.  Greece has a lot of things that are here in the U.S.  I think it is best to not worry about what to get them and have fun with your relatives when you get there.

Answer 10

greece is not africa .

bring the money in order to pay a location of a nice villa in myconos(15.000 euro for 1 week)