Hi everyone,

I will be visiting Turkey from the United States next month. I will be staying with my boyfriend´s family. I want to bring gifts from the U.S. Does anyone have any ideas? Is there anything that is unique to the U.S. and difficult to find in Turkey that may be appreciated? I know when my boyfriend goes home he brings clothes, perfume, etc.

Thank you!

You can read about what ideas others have for gifts here

You have hard job maybe you can bring some stuffs for house. We have everything in here. It will be special for them. You mustnt think about, its large or small.

Hi jas...I will also be in Turkey next month with my husband and kids.  I usually bring pecan pralines which are a favorite in Texas where I currently live.  My in laws really enjoy them.  Just keep in mind that there is very little you can´t get in Turkey but many things are cheaper outside of Turkey...like American jeans, perfume, cell phones, laptops ()...ect. However, I prefer to keep it simple and stick to the pralines!    

hmmm....pralines. I love pralines and caramel, have you seen the ones with chipotle in them? It just adds a touch of smokey warmth.

Have you ever had cajeta? Yum....I don´t know of where you could get a good one in Texas, but you should be able to. I have been looking for a good brand and found this place. Most the commercial cajeta I´ve seen has corn syrup in the ingredients and maybe cow milk mixed with the goat milk and who knows what else. I want pure cajeta, no cow milk and no corn syrup. Here´s a recipie for it. 

Hmmm....now I´m either going to have to make some cajeta or order it from Fat Toad Farm. Hmmm....I found this place in Texas that may be close to you. 

I get my pralines from this gal:  http://www.susiessouthforty.com/.  She´s a Texas business woman who started making them out of her own home.  So far they are the best I´ve tasted.  She makes great Texas Trash too.  We also have a candy shop nearby that makes several different variations of pralines. I guess I should get more adventurous and try something different. 

I have tried Cajeta.  A friend of mine who is a chef made it.  I had never heard of it before he urged me to try it. It´s almost as good as chocolate!   

In any case, I find that my husbands family appreciates the gesture of the gift more than the actual gift itself.  So, jas, don´t be too concerned about impressing them with a gift.  They will appreciate your thoughtfulness.  I would think your boyfriend could help you find something they would like or at least let you know about preferences.  Good luck!! 

Big bottles (50 of tylenol or ibuprofen! I know it sounds cheesey, but every time I go to Turkey I take these to give to family members. Not as gift of course, but as an extra that really comes in handy.

Bu Ne Ya

Wow are you lucky, a friend that makes cajeta. I am jealous, but actually it´s better I can´t find it easily. If I did I´d probably be very rotund as it´s so delicious. Does your friend make the "real" cajeta out of goats milk? The cow´s milk one isn´t the same. Good for you to support your local gal. It´s hard enough to find products made in the USA these days.

Of course, the gesture of jusst giving a gift is greatly appreciated. Your inlaws are lucky to have a daughter in law who finds, and brings, such a unique gift.