I will travel to Turkiye next Saturday, and I need a little advice or tips please. You see, I met my love´s parents and family (I hope this is a good sign for me) last time, and they were so hospitable and caring. His sister gave me a cardigan and her tea set because I loved çay so much. I really want to take some gifts for them this time, but I won´t have chance to go shopping in Turkiye before I meet them again ( I will meet them straight from airport I think).

I considered buying some fudge (a sweet treat from south west England) or some kind of confectionary, but I don´t want to appear like I just bought a ´cheap´ gift, although I know nothing extravagant is expected. Ornaments? Accessories? What is best?

Any ideas what I could bring? Should I bring them something from England, and if so, what could I take as a gift? Any advice would be lovely.

Thank you for reading

 Hi Carla

I think it would be nice to talk them something "English" - the fudge would be a nice idea (I dont think people care or calculate the cost of girfts - do you?)  If you want to spend a bit more how about something made from Nottingham Lace or Staffordshire or Poole pottery maybe?  Depending on the age of his sister, how about a tshirt or top from a fashion store only available in England?

Thank you TheAenigma for your reply, I´m glad you think the fudge is a good idea, I would take toffee but I worry it would get stuck in their teeth! I can´t eat toffee for that reason

I like that idea about the pottery, I think I´ll have to have a hunt on the internet, that would be nice for them to keep

I´m running out of time so fast, and I´m spending so much time worrying what to take!

Have a great trip x

 Hi Carla,

A lot depends on the family, are they rural or urban? Do the women in the family wear head scarves? You could bring some English tea. When I was in England I found wonderful cream in cans. It was the thickest cream I´ve ever seen, I´m sure they would like that. It´s a good thing I didn´t stay in England too long or I´d have been a real butterball fast! It was sooooo delicious.

Fine hand creams and body lotions are welcome. I´ve found some nice unisex creams with things like calendula oils in them. European creams are better than the ones made in the US because of the more stringent EU standards. Fine soap is good in your suitcase, but not given as an "official" gift....I´ve been told it is washing them away....I don´t really know about it, but to be safe, I just put them in my suitcase and share....

Something to put in your suitcase that I´ve found there are never enough of are safety pins. You don´t give them as gifts, but having them available for use is welcome.

If you will be staying with a family and have become part of the family, I´ve found it´s good to fill my suitcase with clothes I am don´t mind sharing and am able leave behind. They don´t expect it, but it´s a nice way to give "extra" gifts.

From what I´ve seen, (and others have told me) some parts of Turkish society is pretty communal, and what ever is in my suitcase (or closet) is shared when you are perceived as part of the family in some famlies.  At first it upset me, but now I´ve gotten used to it and am not so possessive about my "things".

Alameda, this is really helpful, I didn´t know that about soap!

They do wear headscarves, yes. Last time, me and my love went to their house every evening nearly, they would cook for us, and I never knew anyone could be so caring! His sister is around 30 years old, and she and her husband have 2 sons, and also more relatives  live in the house. The house is modern. I´d love to get them something they could share but that they could keep if possible. The saying is  ´it´s the thought that counts´, deðil mi? 

I contacted a local shop an hour ago about some assorted sweet fudge, this is from my hometown and maybe they might think it´s a nice gesture? Is this too small a gift? I mean, would you be happy if your son´s girlfriend bought you just a box of fudge after you´d given them so much? Ayyy :! 

I´m looking at pottery on ebay as well, or for a pretty tablecloth, but I don´t know the size of their table! Ahhh! I´m going a little bit crazy!

How about a tea towel with pictures of your local area? Or is that a bit daft!

Small brooches are very popular with ladies for holding their headscarves in place. I don´t think pottery is a great idea. Look for small brooches. I´ve seen a lot of them on eBay. No cameos...anything with turquoise blue....flowers or in particular, roses.

I´m sure whatever you bring will be appreciated, we do like to be successful in this though, don´t we? I know, I worry about the same thing.

I like the tea towel idea as well, I´ll have to look in some local shops.

As for the brooch idea- fabulous! I will look on ebay, that would be something very nice to give!

I really mean this when I say thank you to everyone for your contributions, you´ve helped me a lot. I think me and ebay are going to be spending a lot of time together this evening!

Be careful not to spend all your money before you go to Turkey, dear!