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Serving Board | Tagged Posts

2015
9
June
What to Bring as Gifts from Canada While Traveling?

Question:

Profile picture of Joan

Joan

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for gifts from Canada for hosts, etc. when you are travelling? Visiting various spots in England for the about the 5th time in 10 years and have run out of ideas. Have done Ice wine, Maple flavoured everything, and Native Canadian art. Wondering what others take when travelling. Thanks in advance!

Humans say...

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Andrew

Roots blanket!

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Graeme

roots is not actually a canadian company, i have issues with them pretending to be

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Natasha

Mitts, scarves, hats with maple leaves on them. Dollar stores have cute key chains, kitchen towels, pens

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Sarah

I just picked up a lovely little serving board made from a tree felled in the GTA from Urban Tree Salvage for when I visit a friend in Copenhagen this summer. I'm sure you could find a cutting board or serving board made from Canadian maple online.

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Lucia

David's tea: O Canada flavour

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Niamh

For kids I like to bring along these great Canadian super magnets made by a Beacher: https://www.etsy.com/.../super-strong-magnets-oh-canada...
ETSY.COM
Super Strong Magnets - Oh Canada Set of 6 - Canadian - Moose - Canoe - Beaver - Hockey

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Niamh

Maple syrup is always a hit, available in tin cans for easier travel.

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Selena

I often bring this tea as a gift: http://www.deliceboreal.com/en/
DELICEBOREAL.COM
Northern Delights - Fine inuit herbal tea

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JoAnn

Dollar store stuff not made in Canada.

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Janis

Tea towel & oven mitt set with the maple leaf on it

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Dasha

Local crafts and toiletries (ie local organic soap). I live close to St. Jacobs market, so never a shortage of locally made stuff. The owner usually has an information sheet or tag for the product which has the town of manufacture on it (and Ontario).

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Kim

Shake and Bake to the UK my grandma used to request it all the time can't get it there

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Michael

Mott's Clamato Ceasar

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Janette

Photos of our beautiful Canadian landscape

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Lisa

For hosts and special folks - a bottle of Canadian wine (not ice wine). Can't buy it overseas and most people don't even realize we have vineyards.

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Andrea

Hudson's Bay stuff, or the red Olympic mittens, etc.

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Nandish

Laura Secord chocolates are always welcomed by my friends

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Courtney

Maple syrup!

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Ross

When I studied in Japan I gave my host parents maple syrup, second cup, David's tea, maple candy, Olympic shirts, mittens, and mini totem poles.

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Alina

Canada olympic collection at hbc... Specially the mitts. They are so popular

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Beverley

Tim Hortons gift set?

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Chantal

Coffee crisp, smarties and ketchup chips!!

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Morag

Stephen Harper. They can have him.

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Patricia

Lol!

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Lindsey

Coffee crisp, crispy crunch, Reese peanut butter cups....

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Cheyenne

Candy bars they cant get, maple syrup, ice wine are my go to's.

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Joan

I forgot about the Peanut butter cups! I seem to recall my cousins going crazy for them when they were here! Lots of great suggestions here -- thanks folks!

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Jacqueli

I'm a tea towel girl... Give them and bring back from all the time! You can get super fun, unique Canadiana printed ones at tons of places

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Patricia

Hudson Bay's Team Canada collection for the Pan Am games?

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Alex

Maple syrup is a personal favorite tho it is tricky to transport sometimes.

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Christin

taking candy bars from Canada to England is like taking coals to Newcastle...English candies and chocolate are far superior to what we get here and you can get smarties in england

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Alexia

Well, this year Toronto's hosting the PanAm games - maybe some little keepsakes from that?

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George

Canadian Music. Complete Juno Awards lists are available. Mesh the 'critic's choices' with your's. So many nuggests of gold! I have done this. The gift of music is appreciated.

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Jaymee

Coffee crisp is astoundingly popular, browse the UK Starbucks website to find the limited variety of coffee they have here and then bring a bag over (or in our case, 12), maple syrup, Sortilège
maple whiskey...really people will appreciate anything

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Beverley

Red Rose tea..Only in Canada! Pity....Purdy's Chocolate they have maple brittle..

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Raj

Chocolates from soma!

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Trish

RCMP bear. Get them at the airport too.

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Mary

HBC Blanket

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Can

Smoked salmon.

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Heidi

Maple cream cookies, they're shaped like maple leaves with maple flavored cream inside and you can get them at pretty much any grocery store wherever they keep cookies. Lighter than maple syrup and wine so if you're backpacking and couch surfing and need a gift for your host, and don't want to have a checked bag but need a light carry on, it's a decent option.

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El

BC bud

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Kathryn

Something from Roots.

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Ira

*

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Ess

They have Smarties. And they're better than ours

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Linda

My grandmother used to give me Smarties when I was a child in England.

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Linda

Taking tea would really be coals to Newcastle!

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Katherin

Definitely anything from Rocky Mountain Soap Company! They're based in Canmore, AB and have amazing organic and toxin-free soaps, body butters and all things luscious.

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Ellen

I took maple syrup to my cousin in Denmark ,at her local grocery store guess what was on the shelf?Ontario maple syrup.another friend loves our Olympic mittens and sweaters.My sister always takes Purdys chocolate.

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Beverley

Google Red Rose Tea out of 10 brands tested in Canada by marketplace has No pesticide......my hubby and mother are british and only drink red rose..and everyone wants me to bring it over...

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Beverley

Blue rodeo!

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Franca

Something from Roots

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Niamh

I brought home maple syrup one year to Ireland and nobody liked it!!looking

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Niamh

Did you make them pancakes to go with the maple syrup? How could they not like it then!

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Anya

I was running out of ideas last time I went to visit my family so I brought back red Canada mittens and hockey and Blue Jays toques.

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Lisa

Graham crackers and a recipe for s'mores. My friend's kids love these and graham crackers are almost impossible to find there.

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Karmita

Drake General Store has nice Canadiana things (toques etc) and I'd also suggest the HBC striped blankets.

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Judy

ketchup chips!

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Gunjan

ketchup chips, reese cups, and anything to do with maple syrup. works every time.

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Jennifer

Blueberry & Saskatoon berry jams!!!

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Michelle

Being from Toronto, I brought PanAm Games polos, tshirts, and drawstring bags. There is a new store in the Eaton Centre. They are fairly light too.

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Jodi

I gave my family and friends Canadian money: $5 bill and down to the penny,explaining what each one is called and why the picture of the animal, boat, etc..

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Raymond

I buy health supplement pills from Costco when I visit my family in Hong Kong

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Kate

We used to bring our relatives in Scotland tins of Tim Hortons coffee! It was their favorite

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Elyse

Turtles!! They don't get them in the UK and my family always asks me to bring them with me when I go to Belfast

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Melissa

Bath and Body Works stuff (especially the tiny hand sanitizers) goes over well in Japan and might in England too since I don't think they have Bath and Body works there either.

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Martin

Coffee crisp !

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Emilie

Fruits and Passion / Sortilège from LCBO

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Delia

Canadian club

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Jaymee

^^ Canadian Club is sold in the UK

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Rachel

Smarties

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Will

Check out Toronto In a Box - http://www.toinabox.com/
TOINABOX.COM
Toronto in a Box

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Tisha

tim hortons coffee, ketchup chips, Canada mittens from The Bay, maple syrup... make them poutine while ur there... chocolates from Soma, donuts from Glory Hole or Von Donuts, crack pie from Momufuku

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Shannon

Stuff from The bay's HBC line is always good, kitchen mits socks etc

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Joan

Thanks to all for the great ideas. I went out and bought Maple Bark from Purdees, a bunch of mitts from HBC, a bunch of peanut butter cups, and I also got quite a few things from Saje, which is a Canadian company that makes really nice oils, enfusers, sprays -- all natural and made in Canada! I used to order from them online because they are based in BC but they now have a couple of stores in the GTA -- I highly recommend the oil and sprays called Tantra and Yoga -- positively addictive. Something I did in the past when everyone had little kids was take a collection of Robert Munsch books, and also made a CD with him reading his own stories -- that was a huge hit if anyone is looking for ideas for kids. Thanks again everyone -- off to Dublin tomorrow

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Oudompho

Canadian ice wine!

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Eric

The packaged boxes of smoked salmon work well too, the ones that don't need to be refrigerated.

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Mark

ketchup chips

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Jocelynn

all dressed chips, crispers

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Bernard

Maple syrup

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Salina

I say alcohol! Canadian wine!

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Yana

Fudge, chocolates from Soma, make your own beer kit. Good luck!

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Anne

We don't ....instead enjoy a beer or two /or a glass of wine and some life stories together . ..gone is the day when one should feel they have to bring a gift...unless u r an overnight guest in someone's home. ...then treat them to dinner out! ! Most everything else can be bought in most countries.

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Bobby

I'm from the UK and there is absolutely nothing in Canada that is worth the hassle. maple syrup... we use honey. beer and spirits it is cheaper and more convenient in UK. best to save your money and treat your UK friends to a drink. they will appreciate that more than bath soaps.

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Bobby

and definitely not poutine. chips and gravy is nothing new or special.

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Kenneth

Maple Syrup, Tim Horton's coffee

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Dan

Canadian bank notes (eg: our $5 bill).
Yup, some people collect that for note/souvenir purposes.
Even if they're not a collector (they probably are not) people seem to be entertained with our bill lol.
Perfect for kids, teens, and Yonge adults!

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Dan

Ohohohoho, I meant young, not that street LOL

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Dan

Photo art of Canadian locations/activities / etc

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Yulia

I definitely agree with Bobby! Canadians often think that wine beer or maple syrup are special. In fact, they are not. When traveling to visit family in Europe, they most appreciated nice french Cognac as a gift than the icewine I previously brought them.

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Monica

I love the spacing store at 401 Richmond as a Torontonian http://spacingstore.ca/
SPACINGSTORE.CA
Spacing Store

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June

Chips burst open on a plane...have tried many times....not worth the hassle

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Shahla

If you go this time, don't bring them anything, the family you visit, wail you are there take them to a nice dinner.

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Clarissa

@brooklyncarter

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Shaun

Dollar store has everything you need.

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Natalie

I've had requests for peanut butter and Kraft dinner!

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Yulia

Ewwww gross!


A.I. says...

AI Profile Pic

Unique Canadian Gift Ideas for Travelers

Traveling to different destinations is an exciting adventure, and bringing back unique gifts for hosts and loved ones is a thoughtful gesture. If you're planning a trip to England and have already exhausted the typical Canadian souvenirs like ice wine, maple products, and Native Canadian art, here are some fresh ideas to consider.

Canadian Gourmet Treats

Canada is known for its diverse culinary scene, and there are many delicious treats that make great gifts. Consider bringing:

  • Canadian Chocolates: Brands like Purdy's, Purdys, and Lindt offer delectable chocolate assortments that are uniquely Canadian.
  • Canadian Cheeses: From the creamy Quebec cheese curds to the sharp aged cheddar from British Columbia, Canada has an impressive cheese selection.
  • Canadian Smoked Salmon: The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its smoked salmon, which makes a luxurious and delicious gift.

Canadian Handcrafted Items

Supporting local artisans and showcasing Canadian craftsmanship is a wonderful way to share a piece of Canada's cultural heritage. Consider gifting:

  • Canadian Pottery: Canada has many talented potters and ceramicists creating beautiful and unique pieces.
  • Canadian Woodwork: From cutting boards to decorative bowls, Canadian woodworkers create stunning pieces from locally sourced wood.
  • Canadian Jewelry: Explore the work of Canadian jewelry designers who incorporate precious metals, gemstones, and unique designs inspired by the country's landscapes.

Canadian-Themed Accessories

For fashionable and practical gifts, consider the following Canadian-inspired accessories:

  • Canadian-Themed Scarves: Look for scarves featuring iconic Canadian symbols like maple leaves, wildlife, or landscapes.
  • Canadian-Designed Bags: From trendy tote bags to stylish backpacks, Canadian designers offer unique and functional options.
  • Canadian-Made Candles: Candles infused with Canadian scents like cedar, pine, or even maple can make wonderful gifts.

Remember, the best gifts are often those that hold sentimental value or showcase the unique culture and craftsmanship of a place. By selecting thoughtful and unique Canadian gifts, you'll not only delight your hosts but also share a piece of your home country with them.



   










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