My little girl is all grown up (almost) and will be spending a semester abroad in Denmark. I’d like to give her something that will come in handy/be appreciated while she’s there, but know very little about Denmark beside the sneaking suspicion that they’re probably smarter, cooler, and more sophisticated than I am.
So, anyone have any suggestions, besides large wads of cash? Any Copehageners out there? All input gratefully appreciated.
If you can arrange it with whoever she is staying with, or with a store or whatever, having a bicycle is great for Copenhagen. How is the weather where you are? Does she have good clothes for cold, wet and windy conditions? Wool is best. Gloves (with fingers) are a must. And a hat with earflaps.
Concur on the gloves/hats thing. I’ve made winter trips to bits of the UK that are further north than Copenhagen and it was a bit chilly. But I spent a week in Copenhagen in January and it was unbelievable. I was not at all prepared for how damn cold it can get there.
Also, lip balm, for the same reasons.
Funny, Ms Bizz was also thinking along a bicycle-related theme…
I was thinking of sending her some herring. Do they have herring up there?
Being a bona fide Dane, I think it’s fair to say that Denmark has the herring angle covered quite well. We eat them smoked on bread (with akvavit) or pan-fried (with beer) or pickled (with akvavit and beer).
If she’s going to Copenhagen, something bicycle-related will not be amiss. And yes, Copenhagen can get cold.
Are we talking about something to take along, or more like a CARE package to arrive later? Because American foodstuffs like pancake mix, proper s’more ingredients, guacamole spice mix or the like tends to be a hit when I go back home.
For something before the trip, a good travel backpack (do your research, and get one that isn’t too big- they tend to inflate them these days). She will probably want to take at least a couple trip out of town. Cold weather gear would also be helpful if she doesn’t have good stuff- a pair of silk long underwear is a very good investment.
For care packages, American packaged food will be a hit. You’d have to do further research, however, to figure out what would be unobtainable in Denmark.
I wouldn’t worry about pancake mix. It’s easy to make (and the SO likes mine better than store-bought).
You know I’ve never had s’mores? I should try them one day. If I were going on an extended trip to Europe, I have a feeling I should bring corn tortillas. And American and Mexican hot sauces.
Thanks all for your kind suggestions. Comfort food/care packages will come in due time. Since she’ll be arriving in January, I guess we’ll address the weather factor first. I was thinking about one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Peacock-Platinum-Catalyst-Warmer/dp/B009T0QDF8
The Fella and I know a woman on FB. (He’s met her, I know her there) who is a Canadian woman married to an guy from South America.
They live in Denmark. She said the one thing she couldn’t get there is peanut butter.
Maybe she can use it to barter? (I know other places don’t love the peanut butter, but our friend can’t be the only person there!)
As a cold-climate living person who doesn’t smoke or carry a lighter or matches or anything that involves fire or lighter fluid, I can’t imagine ever using one of these.
As a city person who walks all over no matter how much snow is on the ground, I would very much appreciate a lined pair of convertible gloves. I have several pair. Also, a winter coat that goes down to the knees and has a hood. If the coat’s covered, I would concentrate on keeping hands, neck, ears and toes warm. They’re not glamorous, but I love my wool socks. Depending on how chilly a person she is, a good set of silk long underwear may go a long way, too, and something she won’t think about until she’s bone-cold. I don’t wear them personally, but I know several women who do and can’t imagine surviving winter without them.
Will her American cell phone work over there or will she need to purchase a new plan or have some sort of conversion?
How about some sort of translation book or program? Which ones are best?
Danish candy and chewing gum tends to be kind of bleh so send alot of her favorites.
Indeed. I don’t think I’ve even met someone with one here. Good pair of Thinsulate gloves, which will be available cheaply everywhere, would be much better.
I second the backpack thing - bet it a large one for travelling or a smaller one for being out and about. Or at least some kind of decent luggage.
A EuRail pass if she is planning to travel?
But the “wads of cash” thing might be best… things tend to be expensive in Scandinavian countries.
Ugh, me and the gigantic FUBAR that was my week in Copenhagen. You know what she’s going to need? A great big box of Imodium. The Danish standards of cleanliness for things like dishes, eating utensils, and towels were the poorest I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to Russia. I was so sick the whole time I was there.
Will she be there in the winter? How about a sunlamp for help dealing with the long dark nights punctuated by short, dim, overcast days?
I have not been, but of the places that I have been, I’ve always liked to buy clothes there that the locals buy/wear for that season. When I came back home, I treasured those items.
I agree, a parka & a really good set of cold weather under gear because its January, but let her buy Danish cold weather gear there also. She’ll blend in with her friends more & when she comes back announcing that she’s been away for a semester,
she’ll get "OOooo"s and "Ahhh"s instead of, “Where did you go? LL Bean Maine?”
She should buy her clothes there. The styles will be different enough that it will be better to buy there. But, I don’t know where you live–when I spent a year in DK, I had to wear leggings under my jeans for about 6 months. I’m from CA and just not acclimated to the kind of cold they had. My entire wardrobe consisted of t-shirts! Leggings or other warm things to wear under clothes are good–she will need more layers than the Danish kids do.
She should also buy her dictionaries there. Materials for learning Danish are way better over there than they are here (though there are some good YouTube videos!).
Basically, send her away with very little stuff but lots of money. Then send her care packages of her favorite home treats. If she needs gifts to give hosts, local treats and handmade items are best. If you know a quilter, a nice American-style quilt (say, the size you put on your couch to snuggle under) is perfect.
For care packages, consider chocolate chip cookies. I understand that American-style chocolate chips are hard to come by.
Pancakes are easy enough to make anywhere, but I’m not sure whether she’ll be able to find maple syrup (real or fake, whichever she prefers).
If she hasn’t started learning the language, I suggest she sign up for Duolingo. I think it’s better than Rosetta Stone and totally free. Their Danish learning tree is in beta, which means you can use it with a web browser but it’s not yet supported on their Android/iOS apps. I’ve been really impressed with their French and Portuguese trees. I’m signed up for the Danish one too but haven’t spent much time on it yet.
The thing that I missed most in Denmark was fresh produce. Even in summer, the only thing we found (in Aarhus, not Copenhagen) was carrots, potatoes, turnips, onions, and the like. But there’s not much you can do about that. Danish pastry is called Wienerbrod, BTW.