What do you bring back from abroad now?

Gin! From Menorca. It goes very nicely with Fanta lemon.

Local alcoholic drinks for me ie Pomada from Menorca, Poncha in Madeira etc DH likes a local gin and we also bring almonds from a market in Majorca or Spain.

Georgesgran

The British Airways Long-haul Lurgy!
Still coughing two weeks on.

Air conditioning on planes is still a concern.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9111434/

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I’ve brought back masks from several countries.

Havent been for a while.
Now bring back practical, useable things.

A pin badge to go on my badge hat.

I try to visit a yarn shop each holiday and buy some local yarn to make a hat/scarf/mitts either while travelling or when we get back. They take a bit of searching out though so not always.

I wish I had bought some quivet yarn when we were in Alaska - super expensive so I didn’t but also very very warm and I regret not treating myself to an ounce which would have been enough for a hat. It isn’t exported.

A couple of Christmas presents and a doll for my grandaughter, some unused tea bags.

Also lots of photos and some wonderful memories!

On our regular trips to France I bring back eco cleaning fluids, washing machine detergent, surface cleaner, washing up liquid, thin bleach, confit de canard ( in tins), ratatouille, (in tins), garlic, dried herbs and spices, local honey, tinned chestnuts and wild smoked salmon.

I used to bring back 0% fat fromage frais, rolled stuffed pork joints, sheeps cheese for a friend and sausages fom the local butcher.

Claretjan

Gin! From Menorca. It goes very nicely with Fanta lemon.

Yes good choice. I purchased two bottles of gin liqueurs this year in Menorca. I will keep them until Christmas....maybe.

My friend has brought me a packet of chocolate dipped blueberries from Canada and a beautiful handmade porcelain mug.
I'm well pleased ☺️
I avoid airport shops usually and try to find something in the local markets. I find other country's antique fairs, fascinating. Last time in France I found a beautiful jug.

In Spain I found baby clothes, a bit different from ours and knitting wool from the Pyrenees

Fridge magnets, soap and usually a ‘holiday’ present for my granddaughter. Oh, I always buy perfume in Duty Free.

Here is irony for you: I live in Canada so the UK is actually abroad for me

However, when we are going TO the UK, typically we like to bring over ice wine. This is wine made from grapes that are left on the vine until after it drops below freezing. They are picked after they literally freeze on the vine. This results in concentration of the sugars, producing a very sweet wine that is typically drunk as a dessert wine.

When we are coming back to Canada, one thing I've decided I'm bringing back in future is Lee Stafford London Anti-Humidity Spray. We were in the UK in the spring, and we were going to Cornwall and Devonshire, so I knew I would need some anti-frizz spray for my curly/wavy hair. I happened to pick up this particular brand at a pharmacy, just by chance. (We had brought only carry-on luggage because it's easier that way, meaning I couldn't bring anti-frizz products from home.) This stuff was freaking AMAZING. I don't think my hair has EVER looked so good, particularly in a more humid environment. Next time we go, likely in the spring, I'm hoping to buy some extra bottles to bring or send to myself back in Canada, because I can't get that product here. (I can get that brand here, just not that particular product. I have checked their web site, Amazon, and the web sites of Walmart and at least two pharmacies and beauty supply stores. No dice.)

I also have bought some lovely cross stitch kits and supplies in the UK. Last time we went I picked up a damask rose pattern bookmark that I'm making for my mother, and a beautiful Tudor Rose needle case I'm making for myself.

When I was working it was the tradition for anyone travelling abroad to bring exotic biscuits for the staff room. In the past I have brought a Christmas decoration back from holiday and my sister always brings a foreign magazine. Usually a 'home decor' or recipe type of magazine.

Always a tea towel, easy to pack and then memories while drying dishes.
And often a small piece of jewellery, earrings or a pretty ring. ( Not valuable). We all decided years ago as a family to stop bringing gifts for each other as it became a chore.

Oh - cross stitch. The UK has the best! You can’t get them like that anywhere else and I pay megabucks for the kits online.

A few things from Mercadona in Spain. Shower sponges. Cling film. Absolutely the best. Freezer bags. I could go on.

I usually look for something for.our neighbour who looks out for the house while we're away and gets the paper in. Most times it's just a little jar of honey or jam, but she was most pleased with a Christmas tree bauble from San Francisco. I haven't seen any Christmas tree decorations on our travels since so it's back to the jams.

I had ice wine in Minnesota agnurse quite unique.
We don’t travel abroad any more, but used to bring back all sorts from Françe when we drove, my ‘summer’ tea mug is French with a cockerel.
We rarely bring anything back from UK.

Usually just a fridge magnet. I used to not buy them as I thought they were tacky, but they’re a great reminder of places we’ve been to and I wish now that we had them from the early days. DH likes a pin badge, but often ends up losing them, sometimes before they even arrive home.

And always a bit of something for the family. Last time it was orange infused olive oil from Puglia. Usually just sweets of some sort for the six grandsons as well, though it can work out expensive if we’re somewhere with a renowned football team, and I’m tempted to get them a shirt each.

From the usual destination in Burgundy, usually a case of Cremant from the local cave. And if I remember, a jar of fromage de tete for a dd who really likes it.
A big pot of Mixa body moisturiser, from the supermarket.
Not much else any more.

I bought a decorated spaghetti ladle in Italy and a porcelain egg rack which I love. In Tunisia I bought several large pottery salad bowls (travelled in my rucksack wrapped in dirty t-shirts. In India I bought a tablecloth and in Florida this year I bought a set of table napkins. I like to buy things I will use.

I don’t go abroad these days, but holidays in this country always yield a small treasure or two. Sea glass from a beach, or something made of sea glass. Small glass window hangers (though I’m now running out of windows to hang them on). In Cornwall I would often buy a piece of Jo Downes glass. A perennial plant or two if there’s room in the car. St David’s had a lovely little nursery and I couldn’t leave without something from there. And cheese also from West Wales.
This year we went to Northern Ireland and nothing caught my eye - it wasn’t that kind of touristy place - but I did find a lovely hardware shop (can’t resist them) that sold good china and glassware so I treated myself to a Mason Cash breakfast cup with an etched and glazed pattern which I now use every morning.

From Canada I brought back a glass Canada Goose Christmas tree decoration. They were from the Christmas Shop in Niagara.
Also from Canada a carved wood Canada Goose and bread knives with wooden handles. The blade is set in such a way so as to enable it to cut straight slices of bread. No more sloping loaves.

On one of our trips to Greece a while ago now, I bought some small natural sponges from Kalymnos to use in my watercolour painting and I still have and use those.

It's the other way round for me so usually books and new glasses. ( spectacles)