I'm off to the UK in August to see my Mummy

My friend is of to Newfoundland to see her Mommy

We have decided to bring each other something unique to our destinations (her idea), i.e. she is bringing me something you can only get in Newfoundland and I have to bring her something British.

Other than food/alcohol items I can't think of anything. I am also not going to be doing anything remotely touristy, I'm flying into Manchester, going to Lincoln and probably going to Cambridge.

Has anyone got any ideas, everything I think of goes back to food/alcohol.

Give her some English change in a Union Jack purse

I had thought of that as her OH collects all the special edition quarters and stuff here - it's a tough one. Thanks for the idea.

To be honest, they like that kind of stuff.

My boss's daughter is going to Leeds UK to study, I gave her all the coins and she was really made up.

She said she wasn't going to spend them but keep them for luck, how sweet

I know its food but when I flew over a couple of years ago, I was sat next to a Canadian girl who asked me if there really was something called 'spotted dick'.

I said yup and told her to go into Asda or Tesco and get a Heinz can of steamed spotted dick, she could use it as an ornament she thought it was hilarious.

Oooh a tea cup and saucer - seeing as thats sooo very British

Or a pair of Elizabeth Duke gold hoop earrings - then explain what chavs are

Love the chav idea!

Thought about getting some comics and UK style magazines....

Some England football kit items - they'll be in the 50p bargain bins now!

A mild melancholy enthused with a touch of healthy cynicism.

Viz is always good for a laugh.

What about a pint glass? Or if you don't have much money, take some conkers back with you.

Bedfordshire lace, or Nottingham lace. Summat like that.

If you go to Cambridge you might find something on the market

I was over a couple of weeks ago and bought back some 'Blackpool Rock' for some friends here. That was appreciated. I also bought back a full round of Lancashire Cheese (weighed nearly 5kilos). You have to declare it but it is ok for hard cheese. Not so sure about the amount but they OK'd it.
The cheese has definitely gone down very well, we have frozen most of it but friends did get a small piece

A pint glass is a great idea - plus you don't have to buy it. Go in a pub and buy a pint ask for it in one of those dimply pint glasses (are they called ale jars I can't remember) with the handle and liberate the glass when you've done.

Will there be conkers in August? I bought pint glasses here from Ikea - good idea though

You know what even when I lived in Bedforshire I never saw bedford lace, now I'm hoping my sister won't be away when I'm in the UK and I'm hoping she'll want to mooch round the shops when I visit her (she lives in Cambridge).

Trying to avoid the food idea ( I won't be able to give it away when I get home), did think of rock though - I'll not be going to the seaside

Ah! Hadn't thought of a jug when Oink mentioned a pint glass, maybe one of those and some bitter

Really? My aunt used to make it, she even gave me the lace making pillow and bobbins but my mum sold it 'for me'.