What gift(s) to get for my host family in Spain?

Question

Hi I'm 15 and live in Arizona and I'm going to Spain this summer with my school. For 2 of the 3 1/2 weeks we stay with a host family. We are supposed to get them a gift and I am so stuck on what to buy. How much do I spend--$20? $50? $100? I want to get them something nice that you can't get in Spain. Have any ideas???

Answer 1

How about something handcrafted by the native americans in your area? (A beautiful Hopi indian basket or a woven tablecloth for example).

That's about as american as you can get... And you definitely won't find anything similar here in Spain (except the famous

"dreamcatchers"  those can be found all over the world now).

Or perhaps a DVD on your state (I'll bet you could find one with an english and spanish version) with a matching book?

(Maybe at your local museums store). Then they could watch it in english with you to show points of interest, and watch afterwards in their own language.

Do you know if your host family has kids? If so bring them some american candy we don't have here (for example: Baby Ruths, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, a box of turtles (I know we don't have any of those here... Don't bring Mars bars or anything of that brand, they can be found in most of Europe).

It's not a question of how much to spend... Look for something that "feels" right!

Answer 2

You don't want to spend too much.  Being from Arizona makes it so much easier for me to suggest ideas.

Get something Native themed.  Something like a sand painting, or something hand made.  I'm sure that anything Spainsh-American, showing your Mexican (area at least) heritage is too close to anything they can get there, but I guarantee they have little access to things that are handmade by the Natives of the area.  When buying gifts for homestays, it's very nice to get something that they can display and show off proudly to their friends and family.  Some inexpensive jewelry might be appropriate, as well, but I was told to get something they could display on the wall or shelves or coffee table...ooh!  do they make story teller dolls there?  or is that only in New Mexico?  something along those lines, maybe a small Kachina doll.

Answer 3

ask the school how much you should spend - usually a very expensive gift is not necessary, just something nice that is your way of saying "thank you"

something very American would be nice so that they can remember you - apart from brand names like Hersheys I can't think of what you would get in the US that you can't get in Spain - you could always get a bottle of good perfume in duty free for your hostess I guess

Answer 4

I lived in Spain for a year, and return as often as I can. My Spanish friends love anything related to the Spanish heritage of the Southwest US.

For example, a book about Spanish missions in Arizona [San Xavier del Bac, etc.] and missions founded by Father Kino, etc.] would earn you very high esteem with your hosts.

here are some links to start with:

http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/missions/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_mis...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_per...