# What is a good "American" item that would be a good present for a Japanese family? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 14, 2009, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388 "2009-08-14T07:33:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/41 "2009-08-16T19:05:09Z")
My mother-in-law hosted Japanese exchange students for years, and always kept around a selection of touristy coffee mugs (you know, coffee mugs with a picture of the Space Needle on the side or whatnot – she lives in Seattle) to give as small gifts to the students. You could get a coffee mug from your local area – or, better yet, a big cappuccino mug? – and fill it with chocolate covered pretzels or little containers of Baileys Irish Cream or really whatever you want. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/42 "2009-08-18T13:59:05Z")
“After careful consideration, and with input from delegates from across the United States, I would like to present to you, my host family, Carrot Top. Take him (please) with our blessing.” ---
**Author:** ![Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/43 "2009-08-18T15:53:40Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > All good ideas posted. > > In addition, I might suggest maple sugar candy and 100 percent real maple syrup. We have given those to my wife’s family when we visit, and it was a big hit. Especially when we explained how it came from sugar maple tree sap, and had no other ingredients. You have to tell them how the sap is just boiled down to the syrup or sugar. > > As there are no sugar maple trees in Japan (or anywhere other than North America, I believe), that stuff is unique. Second the maple sugar/syrup. It’s North American rather than American, but it is unique. ---
**Author:** ![\_xiao\_wenti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b782af/32.png) [@\_xiao\_wenti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_xiao_wenti)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/44 "2009-08-18T22:45:54Z")
I have heard the same thing about beef jerky. I would also ask a Japanese person (or someone who has lived there a long time) about the etiquette for this type of gift. There are rules that are minefields for westerners. I gave a Japanese colleague a bottle of home-brewed sake just to see what he thought of it and it started this gift exchange (battle) that I ended up with me throwing the towel in. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/45 "2009-08-18T22:55:17Z")
We make a **lot** of good alcohol here. Napa & Sonoma for wine, beer from all over the Bay Area (Anchor pretty much created the modern America craft beer culture), and spirits from St George/Alameda, Skyy and Distillery 209 in SF. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/46 "2009-08-18T23:29:15Z")
A chardonnay and a merlot from Napa, plus nuts…almonds, cashews and pistachios all California grown. ---
**Author:** ![lshaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e36b37/32.png) [@lshaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lshaw)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/47 "2009-08-19T19:48:07Z")
Thanks, guys. All good ideas. I’ll keep them all in mind, as I’m shopping for the gifts this weekend… ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388/48 "2009-08-19T20:21:45Z")
An atomic clock? Sorry, couldnt resist that one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-american-item-that-would-be-a-good-present-for-a-japanese-family/506388.md?page=2)