What should a Canadian exchange student bring his Belgium host family?
My brother will be going on an exchange to Belgium in August and we're trying to brainstorm ideas of little gifts that he can bring his host family. We've thought of typical things like maple syrup, but is there anything that instantly comes to mind or might be neat to bring? Thanks :)
Belgium - 7 Answers
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1 :
Hockey Jerseys - people overseas love them!!
2 :
Depending on your budget that's a great idea. I got official NHL hockey hats & one home team jersey.Another idea is maple syrup or sugar. The syrup will have to be placed in checked bags as its a liquid. Its about the gift not the cost, put a little time into it Have fun
3 :
My husband and I have hosted 5 students (plus had guests of 2 others). The gifts I've enjoyed most: the cookbooks our Hungarian and German brought; regional candy/unusual food (your maple syrup would count); the bookmarks in a traditional Latvian pattern and colors; the Russian matrushka dolls; the Russian 'doilies' (for lack of a better word) and Chinese handicrafts; the travel books for various countries. One of the best: the homemade photo album with pictures of the region where our German lives. One thing that I buy for ourselves and for others: desk top flags - they're about the size of your hand and can be put into a little stand. (Do an internet search or go to flagsgeorgia.com ... they probably ship to Canada and I know will have the Canadian flag. They also have lapel pins with the US and other flag on them, but I'm not sure if they have the Canadian-Belgian flag combination.) It truely is about the thought that your brother puts into it. Handmade is great! If I had a child who was going on exchange, I'd likely make something in cross stitch. I hope this helps! I hope your brother has a wonderful, fun, and productive exchange!
4 :
Well, like when you go to anywhere else, just bring presents that typically say "Canada". Like maple syrup, and whatever else edible or non-edible that you can think of. Or something they don't sell in Belgium, be it Canadian or not, as long as you can't buy it here. I'd say bring me a few comedians, because there aren't a lot of good ones here and Canada is quite known for it's stand-up comedy scene. But that scene might not be for everyone. Belgians generally don't have a sense of humor (hence why most of our stand-up comedians are bad). @ Dam: Hah! My dad didn't believe they were called matrushka dolls, thanks to that Flemish show with the same name he probably thought it was another word for stripper... And yeah... I love Hockey jerseys myself! Any kind of sports jerseys actually, so I can pretend to do sports without actually doing it! :p So Hockey jerseys is definitely a winner! It depends on the person receiving the gifts, though!
5 :
We went to Belgium last year and stayed with a family. We brought Maple Syrup as you've mentioned. We also brought Ice Wine which is not something they have in Europe. IF there are kids, any kid of toys with our flag is appreciated (balls, kites etc)
6 :
Hockey sweater with name of family, inuit moccasins, inuit fur items, book of jokes about the newfies, pix book about panoramic train thru the Rockies, pix book about whales in the Saint Laurent, maple syrup and book about OLD syrup farm, small ski and apres ski clothes (Belgians go a lot skiing in Germany, Switzerland and Austria), T shirts with joke in French from Quebec.
7 :
I'm a Canadian living in Belgium and the following are items they like from Canada... 1) Maple syrup - However they can buy it here 2) Hockey jerseys - Try to put the family name on it 3) Anything Native - Moccasins, Haida or inuit art, etc... 4) Canadian cookbook - Ok, there is no really Canadian food per se, however I introduced french toast over here to some family and friends and they love it. Also, their BBQ is crap over here so maybe a good BBQ cookbook. 5) Ice wine - For the wine lovers. Have a great time in Belgium. Travel around when you can.
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