Suggestions for gifts to bring back

[KimtheCruiser]

Two of our neighbors are house-watching and plant-watering while we are gone on the cruise - and of course, we want to bring them something back.

 

One couple is easy - they are Santa and Mrs. Claus - seriously, they work as Santa and manage a team of Santas from October through Christmas - their home is decorated with Santa "stuff", so I will try to find a Christmas ornament for them.

 

The other couple are non-drinkers, so a bottle of Tequila is out of the question. Any other ideas? We usually do liquor or rum cakes or Tequila-filled chocolates, but that won't work.

[bankerbabe]

If they like to bake, then Mexican vanilla is always a hit. It's inexpensive and really good stuff (I say this as I munch on a chocolate chip cookie that I baked last night with Mexican vanilla).

 

Maybe a hammock chair? We've brought several of those home over the years and they are really fun to have around. Great for an afternoon spent reading.

 

Mexican blankets are also very nice.

 

Happy shopping!

[Warm Breezes]

If they like to bake, then Mexican vanilla is always a hit. It's inexpensive and really good stuff (I say this as I munch on a chocolate chip cookie that I baked last night with Mexican vanilla).

 

Maybe a hammock chair? We've brought several of those home over the years and they are really fun to have around. Great for an afternoon spent reading.

 

Mexican blankets are also very nice.

 

Happy shopping!

 

I've done the mexican vanilla as gifts too. I can't wait to get back to Cozumel in November because my last bottle is almost gone. I think we need to make a rule that everytime my mexican vanilla runs low we need to go back for more.

[2-laner]

I don't know where all you will be stoppping at on your cruise, but, coffee from Jamaica is usually a big hit for those that drink it. I am not a coffee drinker myself, but I hear that Blue Coffee is the "best".

[Mary Ellen1]

Would help if you said what ports you're going to... I've picked up some great spices in Grenada and St. Maarten. Agree with the recommendations for Mexican vanilla, or some coffee.

[shortstop95]

depending what ports- bring them back some good coffee- it's something you never buy yourself and the fresh beans you get in the islands are SO much better then what you get back home....

[Honeyroastedmelnut]

OK, so is the mexican vanilla a vanilla extract or the whole pod with the little beans inside? Or can you get either?

[KimtheCruiser]

Thanks, all - and sorry I was not specific.

 

We're actually cruising twice this month - so need 2 small gifts - next week is Cozumel and Calica. Then, the end of the month is Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel.

 

I'll definitely go with the Mexican vanilla for one of the treats - will look for something interesting in Roatan or Belize for the second trip.

[yogimax]

It would help to know where you are going, but chocolate always works.

[lillian marie]

You can find really different holiday ornaments, or decorated plates-pottery, etc in the ports. If they like to wear t shirts you'll find lots in ports and some on the ship of a better quality too. Candy is an old standby of course. If you're flying Mexican vanilla is hard to bring back.

[Name Of The Game]

We didn't have trouble with Mexican vanilla when we flew (in our checked luggage) but coming back on the ship they thought it was a bottle of booze. :rolleyes:

[casino lady]

How about a gift card to their favorite restuarant.

[Tapi]

...but chocolate always works.

 

Except for me....!

 

Allergic! :eek:

[PAcruiser25]

Beaded or silver bracelet or earrings?

Saw a lot of nice beach / duffel bags in Cozumel and very cheap

[Rosefloater]

OK, so is the mexican vanilla a vanilla extract or the whole pod with the little beans inside? Or can you get either?

 

The vanilla that everyone gets is in liquid form. Make sure the label says "coumarin free". Coumarin can damage the liver. I had one vendor tell me that there is no problem with having coumarin in the vanilla. :eek: Didn't buy anything from his store.

[Fergus]

I was in Los Cinco Soles in Cozumel last week, the location at Puerta Maya pier, buying some small bottles of vanilla and they had the CUTEST little pottery Christmas ornaments. They were on a display right at the store entrance, there were dozens of different styles - smaller ones they had for just a few dollars each. Some of them were Christmas-y like angels, and some were farm animals, little Mexican people, different sea animals, mermaids - very colorful and most of them had little dangly legs. They had a selection of larger ones that were also very pretty - like gourds with nativity scenes in them. I bought about a dozen of the smaller style to give as Christmas gifts to co-workers, teachers, etc.

[deborahjo]

I like Spoon Rests. They set on my stove and remind me of my cruise. Told my husband we had to go back to Tortola last week because I broke my spoon rest from there. He just laughed.

[simkoreb]

I always get rum cakes and vanilla for family when we cruise. The coolest thing I bought for myself that everyone who sees it wants is a wooden salad bowl from Roatan I bought outside where the boat docks. It was only 35 dollars or so, and came with the serving spoons and small bowls, and it is beautiful!!!! Next time I go to Roatan, I am getting at least one for my parents.

[Sarah@Sea]

Second, or third...or am I fourth...on getting the vanilla from Mexico.

 

I've read coffee from Roatan, Honduras is very good...I know the coffee I got last year in Guatamala (just north) was WONDERFUL...need to go back for more soon.

[LostAgain]

We bought some beautiful wooden bowls while in Roatan.

[crisrn2003]

We bought several wooden items in Roatan. I got a small wooden chest with things (house and flowers) carved out of it. I store change in it. It's beautiful and not very expensive. I also even got some hand painted bookmarks there for $1 each. My kids got puzzles there--a guitar and a puppy, made of wood for $8 each.

[Powriv]

If your neighbors like spicy things...get them Hot Sauce in Cozumel..last november when I was there the hot sauce was selling for $2/bottle right outside the pier

[nothomeonacruise]

The vanilla that everyone gets is in liquid form. Make sure the label says "coumarin free". Coumarin can damage the liver. I had one vendor tell me that there is no problem with having coumarin in the vanilla. :eek: Didn't buy anything from his store.

 

I read something about the dangers of coumarin a while ago. Here's an article on it:

 

http://efoodalert.blogspot.com/2008/10/fda-issues-warning-against-bargain.html

 

OP: Do your friends like pottery? We bought our friend a pottery sun from a small vendor in Cozumel. This one wasn't cheesy, as some of them. She absolutely loved it and put it on her lanai.

[balcony bound]

For us, it's become vanilla, coffee, liquor. I rarely bring back anything someone would have to dust (including me!). Roatan was a great for coffee:)

[Marie51]

Please do not bring anyone something that will sit around and collect dust.