need ideas for an American themed gift basket

[mom-from-missouri]

How about a McNally road map of the USA or a state map and a state visitors guide? Some red, white and blue candles?

Personally, I would stay away from giving wine or beer. From the volunteer work I have done at various crisis and help centers, I have discovered there are a lot of recovering alcoholics out there--more than I ever thought were were. And, that could put an unwanted additional source of stress on them (on top of the move to another country) Also, many people just plain don't drink.

[mom-from-missouri]

How about a CD of American patriotic songs??

[jodi]

Thanks, everyone! I gave them the gift basket last night and I *think* they were pleased. At the very least, they were not expecting anything and were pleasantly surprised. I was a bit limited in time and shopping areas (I had to go to Wal-Mart), so I didn't have time to look for books on local features, which would have been great. The map was also a great idea, but I know for a fact that they bought one on their last visit. This is what I ended up with:
a bottle of Americana wine
a pound of Dunkin Donuts coffee (I'm fairly sure they drink both alcohol and coffee)
Cracker Jacks (it was a cute red, white, and blue box)
M&Ms
two mini apple pies
a red, white, and blue pinwheel
I tucked it all into a very nice basket. Thanks again!

[jodi]

P.S. I did like the cheese idea and got a nice block of local cheese, but it spent a little too much time in my car between stops and got mushy I'll have to plan better next time!
(it wasn't gift-worthy, but it is in my fridge now! )

[LuxLiving]

Good luck - are these more than prospects or someone you've got under contract to buy a house already?

[DebbieL]

It is a processed food. It starts with a very young, barely cultured, very mild cheese. Apparently it is run through the finest sieves and then uncultured milk and/or water and/or vegetable oils are worked into it to make it even softer and milder. A lot of salt is usually added. I think sometimes sugar might even be added, because sometimes it tastes sweet to me. Oh, and it is artificially colored orange. It is almost always sold pre-sliced into squares that are about 4 inches by 4 inches and maybe 3 mm thick. Sometimes each slice is individually wrapped in plastic to prevent tearing the slices when one separates them. The mouth feel is, to me, most unpleasant. It's gooey and sticks to the roof of my mouth and my teeth. It is popular for making grilled cheese sandwhiches, if you know what that is.

I suspect this is one of those foods that had its origin in WWII or post WWII shortages when people were more willing to "pretend" it was cheese.

Okay, I know what you're talking about now. Thanks.

PS - I hate that stuff. It's not too bad in a grilled cheese or something I guess. We just call them cheese slices or processed cheese.

[sweeps]

How about a $5 bottle of water.

[GrimJack]

A jug of pure maple syrup from Costco; least expensive but purest you can get.

[jodi]

Good luck - are these more than prospects or someone you've got under contract to buy a house already?

Technically, I guess they are prospects, since we haven't found the house yet. But, we did meet and look at houses last fall and have been communicating by e-mail ever since. We've struck up quite a friendship over the months and they have said that they will not buy from anyone but me