The 2005 Canadian-American Candy Exchange

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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As I stare out my window, I think about yesterday’s unseasonable snowstorm… and Canada. Alas, finances prevented me from my almost-annual ski trip to Banff this year. But my love of our neighbor to the north lives on, so in the spirit of international friendship and cavities, I bring you…

The 2005 Canadian-American Candy Exchange.

What it is: a chance for Americans and Canadians to experience the uniquely delightful candies which are only available in the other locale. As a very basic overview:

What Americans usually can’t get: anything Cadbury except Creme Eggs and Mini eggs, Anything Kinder including Kinder Surprise, some Nestle products.

What Canadians usually can’t get: Anything Necco, Marshmallow Peeps and related products from JustBorn, Many Hershey’s products, some Mars products, some Willy Wonka products, and regional specialties like buckeyes, pralines, etc.

The Rules:
-If you wish to participate, please post to this thread stating your nationality by 11:59pm March 4, 2005. No latecoming entries accepted. Its just too complicated for lil ol’ me.

-After all entries are posted, I will match up everyone and email you individually to notify you of your partner. From there you will contact each other to exchange addresses, etc.

-In the event of an unequal Canadian:American ratio, partners will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. In other words, if we run out of Canadians, it’s just tough cookies.

-If you are Canadian and would be willing to exchange with 2 partners a)you are very nice and b)state that in your post and c)hi, opal!

-Please do not say you will participate unless you have the inclination, time, and financial means to do so. No one likes to get “grinched.”

-No party shall spend more than $10 (local currency) on candy.

-Send only packaged, commercially available products. This will smooth your package’s way through customs.

**US Participants: I strongly advise the use of the “Global Priority Flat Rate Envelope (large)” for your shipments. By folding the corners under and applying lots of packing tape, you can make a handy small box, and its only $7 regardless of weight (a big savings over parcel post if your package weighs over 1lb).

Otherwise, Americans should expect to pay around $12-$15 for a 2lb (1 kilo) package), and Canada Post rates are fairly comparable at the same weight (~$12 CAN)

Let’s get this par-tay started!

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Count me in!

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Enthusiasm appreciated… but please state your nationality.

:smiley:

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I’m in - 100% Canadian - sorry to hear you can’t come skiing and glad to hear you still love us! :wink:

Although candy is really not my thing - I absolutely delight in finding weird and wonderful things so I shall hunt and hunt until I find the one which is just perfect for ???

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I’m not in, considering I’ve recently sworn off all of the sweet stuff in an attempt to become half the person I am. But, a word of warning. I tried to send candy accross the border for the secret santa, and there is a new FDA rule that requires them to pre-approve any foodstuffs sent across the border.

there is a link here, on the right to a pdf that talks about it.

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My interpretation of that is that it applies to commercial shipments and/or home-made, unpackaged foods. (it talks about how your manufacturing facility must be approved, etc.). I think you got caught by a stickler. It is incroyable to me that they would try to keep you from sending me a Crispy Crunch bar.

In fact, last year I had some Mr. Christie Maple Cookies shipped to a friend of mine, and there was no problem. So I say we soldier on, and damn the torpedos.

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I’m in. Amurkin, and willing to share the gustatory wonders of Southern California with some poor, benighted Canuck. :smiley:

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I’m in. American who lives close to the blessings that are Hershey, PA and Bethlehem, PA, home of JustBorn. It’s coming up on Spring Break, and I need an excuse, uh, reason to take Aaron to Hershey.

Robin

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This sounds like fun, besides I looove chocolate. I’m Canadian, and would like to share the wonders of Smarties and such with an American doper.

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I’m in, although I have to admit I don’t know what kind of candies are available or not in Canada.

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I’m in too. U.S.

I had some non-egg shaped Cadbury candy that a coworker brought back from Ireland. It was delicious. She’s going back in a week. I hope she brings more.

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If only it were so, my huckleberry friend. ALL foodstuffs coming into the USA must now obtain prior approval from the FDA, except home-made goodies. Yes, that’s right–commercially-made stuff has to receive prior approval in the interests of National Security, but I can make all the anthrax ripple chocolate truffles and tainted salmon mousse I want and send it south. It is utterly absurd.

Here’s the lowdown from your friendly neighbourhood US Ambassador to Canada:

http://www.usembassycanada.gov/content/content.asp?section=travel&document=priornotice_food_120403

I’m not trying to say that the candy exchange isn’t a great idea–just that anyone living outside the USA will have to go through some hoops (or risk their terroristic, socialist sugary treats being confiscated or returned).

My fellow Canucks should also be aware that–although I can’t find any reference to it on Canada Post’s webpage–all the postal outlets round these parts insist on having the recipient’s full address plus phone number on the customs form, on all parcels over 1 kg. 'Cause, y’know terrorists could never get a phone installed or anything.

With the FDA on constant watch, Americans can sleep soundly, knowing that they are protected from a sugary death, or cavities…

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Ooops…yeah, nationality would probably help. I’m American.

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I’ve had issues sending food across the border as well. If you write food of any kind on the declaration slip, it ain’t getting through.

/Ms Cyros

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Oh, I’m in! I love me some candy. GingerOfTheNorth gave me Canadian candy a while ago, it was excellent. I can’t really remember what I particularly liked, but there were some maple flavored things…mmmm…maple.

FTR, my friend LaurAnge in Montreal sent me a canister of cranberry cider from Second Cup (one of my favoritest things in the universe) not so long ago and there was some concern over customs, but it got here safe and sound. And she was honest about what she was sending, too.

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I want to play! I’m an American!

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A friend of mine in Scotland wanted to send me some of that orange colored metal flavored soda they like so much (I love strange sodas, and the idea of an entire country being head over heels for something that was advertised as being made out of metal sounded just fabulous). When he went to the post office to inquire, they warned him off of even trying to send any food to the States. So he gave up. No Irn Bru for me, I cry.

Funny how it’s so easy to send stuff out, though. My boyfriend is Canadian and I send him goodies all the time. I recently sent him a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese so he could put it on a table next to a box of Kraft Dinner and take a picture. He thinks it will tear a hole in the fabric of space-time. And my Scottish friend wants me to send him a box of Twinkies. So he can deep-fry them, I think. :stuck_out_tongue:

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I’m in. Canuck. Desperately in need of Fruit Stripe bubble gum.

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Me too! I’m American (maple candy, yum!!)

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Canadian living in California here… I want a taste of home! (So, sort of count me in as an American…) I hear there are all kinds of new Coffee Crisps and Aeros and stuff…

I’ll happily send some American stuff I can get here that I know isn’t in Canada… :smiley: