What I Take Home from America to the UK: 50+ Things My Friends & Family Ask For

If you’ve ever moved from the UK to America, you’ll know that one of the unexpected side effects is becoming the person everyone asks to bring things home.

Before I visit family in the UK, I inevitably get the messages:

“Can you bring some of those chocolates?”

“Could you get me some of that Trader Joe’s stuff?”

“Do you think you could fit a Lakers hat in your suitcase?”

And, of course:

“If you see any of that honey, grab me some!”

After living in America for years, I’ve learned that there are a surprising number of American products that my friends and family either can’t easily find in the UK, don’t normally buy at home, or simply love because they remind them of America.

So I’ve put together my personal list of American things I like to take home to the UK — from food and snacks to beauty products, sports gear, regional favourites and fun American souvenirs.

🇺🇸 Want to see everything in one place?

I’ve also put together my American Gifts & Favourites to Take to the UK Amazon list, with 74 products inspired by the things I actually like to bring home for friends and family.

👉 SHOP MY AMERICAN GIFTS & FAVOURITES AMAZON LIST

You’ll find everything from See’s Candies, American chocolate and Trader Joe’s favourites to sports merchandise, beauty products, Utah finds, children’s gifts and American souvenirs.

Some products may vary in availability, but I’ve included the items and types of products I personally look for when I’m shopping for my trip home.

🍫 1. See’s Candies

This has to be near the top of my list.

See’s Candies is one of those American brands that feels special when you’re taking it home as a gift.

I particularly like picking up assorted chocolates, peanut brittle and their lollipops.

They’re also much more fun to give someone than simply arriving with a standard box of chocolates from the supermarket.

If you’re visiting family in the UK, a box of See’s is a very easy win.

🍬 2. American M&M’s

M&M’s are obviously available in the UK, but I still find myself buying American varieties and larger bags.

There are so many different flavours, sizes and seasonal versions in American stores that it can be fun to pick something you don’t normally see at home.

🍫 3. Reese’s

Reese’s are another suitcase favourite.

Peanut butter and chocolate is a combination that seems to have a very loyal following in my family!

I’ve included Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Filled Pretzels on my shopping list.

🍫 4. Ghirardelli Chocolate

Ghirardelli is another California favourite that makes a lovely gift.

Their assorted chocolate squares are particularly easy to pack and look much more impressive than a last-minute airport purchase.

🍫 5. Hershey’s Chocolate

Hershey’s is one of those brands that immediately says America.

And there’s another reason I like taking Hershey’s chocolate home:

S’mores!

If you’ve experienced a proper American campfire with graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows, you know why.

It’s also a fun thing to introduce to people who have never made traditional American s’mores.

🇺🇸 6. BBQ Sauces & Rubs

BBQ sauce and rubs are another thing I love taking back to the UK because American BBQ flavours are just different.

There are so many regional styles and flavours to choose from, and they make an easy gift for anyone who enjoys cooking or having a summer BBQ.

I especially like picking up American BBQ sauces, dry rubs and seasoning blends that you don’t typically see in British supermarkets. Smoky, spicy, sweet, maple-infused — there are endless varieties.

They’re also a great option when you want to bring home something that feels genuinely American rather than just a snack.

Some of my favourites to look out for include:

A little tip: If you’re visiting somewhere known for its BBQ — or you spot a local sauce or rub at a farmers’ market or specialty shop — that’s the kind of thing I’d choose over a generic supermarket brand. It gives you a little taste of the place you’re visiting to take home with you.

🛒 Trader Joe’s: Probably My Most Requested Stop

If I’m heading back to the UK, there’s a very good chance I’m making a trip to Trader Joe’s before I leave.

There are so many products that people ask me to bring back, and some make particularly good gifts. I also like picking up whatever interesting snacks happen to catch my eye.

The beauty of Trader Joe’s is that there are always seasonal or unusual products that make the trip home feel a little more special.

7. Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

This is one of the classic Trader Joe’s products.

It’s incredibly versatile and takes up virtually no suitcase space, which makes it ideal for taking home.

8. Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter

Another one that regularly makes my list.

It’s sweet, spreadable and very easy to become slightly obsessed with.

9. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These are another favourite for gifting — assuming you don’t eat them before you get home!

10. Scandinavian Swimmers

These colourful sweets are fun, different and easy to throw into your suitcase.

11. Trader Joe’s Chili Onion Crunch

If someone in your family enjoys spicy food, this is a fun one to bring back.

🛍️ 12. Trader Joe’s Tote Bags: The American Bag Everyone Wants in London

This is one of those things that still makes me laugh.

In America, a Trader Joe’s tote bag is just… a shopping bag. You pick one up at Trader Joe’s and use it for your groceries.

But take one to London or another major European city and suddenly it becomes a fashion statement.

Trader Joe’s doesn’t have stores in Europe, so carrying one can signal that you’ve been to the US — or, more importantly, that you have someone in America who can bring one back for you.

The small, colourful Trader Joe’s mini totes have become particularly sought-after. They’ve developed a cult following online, and some people have been willing to pay far more than the original US retail price to get hold of particular bags.

So if you’re heading back to the UK from America and wondering what on earth your friends might actually be excited about, don’t underestimate the humble Trader Joe’s tote.

They’re:

And here’s the funny part: you might be able to buy one for just a few dollars in America, while people in London and Europe are paying considerably more to get one.

If you have friends who are into fashion, American culture or anything slightly unusual, I’d definitely throw a few into your suitcase.

It’s one of those American things that seems completely ordinary here but can cause a surprising amount of excitement once you cross the Atlantic.

🧂 13. American Regional Food & Flavours

America is enormous, and different states have their own foods, sauces and specialities.

Because I live in Utah, I particularly like taking home some of our local favourites.

Utah Fry Sauce

If you’ve never tried fry sauce, it’s exactly the sort of American food that makes a fun conversation starter.

Redmond Real Salt

This is another Utah favourite.

It’s a great example of something that feels much more personal than simply buying a generic American product.

Local Utah Honey

Local honey makes a lovely gift, particularly when it’s from somewhere you’ve actually visited.

I’ve included several honey options on my shopping list, including local and raw honey.

🍁 14. Maple Syrup

Real American maple syrup makes a great gift for anyone who loves pancakes, waffles or baking.

I particularly like bringing home products that are genuinely useful rather than something that will simply sit on a shelf.

🌽 15. Cornbread Mix

Cornbread is another very American food that many Brits haven’t grown up eating.

A box of cornbread mix is inexpensive, easy to pack and makes a fun addition to a food-themed gift.

🌮 16. Corn Taco Shells & Seasoning

This might sound like a strange thing to bring home, but American taco night is something I really miss when I’m in the UK!

I love bringing back corn taco shells and American-style taco seasoning because they make an easy dinner and there are so many different flavours and varieties to choose from in US supermarkets.

It’s another one of those everyday American grocery items that makes a surprisingly good addition to your suitcase — especially if friends or family enjoy Mexican-inspired food.

Tip: The seasoning packets are particularly easy to pack and take up virtually no room.

🥤 17. Root Beer

Root beer is one of those classic American drinks that I love taking home simply because it’s so American.

It can be surprisingly difficult to find in the UK compared with the enormous choice available in the US.

🍿 18. American Snacks

This is where my suitcase can quickly get into trouble!

Some of the American snacks I’ve included on my list are:

And honestly, sometimes the best gift is simply a bag of something that looks completely normal to an American but feels excitingly different to a Brit.

🥜 19. Skippy Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is another item where American and British versions can taste quite different.

Skippy is one of the brands I get asked about, particularly by people who have spent time in America and have developed a taste for it.

💄 American Beauty Products

American beauty shopping is another rabbit hole entirely!

There are brands and products that are either harder to find in the UK or simply offer a much bigger selection in the US.

Some of my favourites to take home include:

20. OPI Nail Polish

OPI has a huge range of colours and seasonal collections.

It’s also small enough to make an easy addition to a suitcase.

21. e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. is another American beauty brand that is very popular and has a huge range of affordable products.

I’ve included several e.l.f. products on my list.

22. Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays is one I like for a little American beauty treat. Their products are beautifully packaged and make lovely gifts if you’re looking for something a bit more special.

They also have some great travel-friendly products, which are perfect for long-haul flights between the UK and USA. Their lip balms and skincare are easy to pop into your hand luggage and are great for keeping your skin feeling hydrated during a long flight.

It’s one of those brands that works equally well as a little gift or something to treat yourself with before your next trip.

23. Teeth Whitening Products

Teeth-whitening products are another category people often ask me about.

Always check current UK rules and product ingredients before bringing or sending beauty/whitening products overseas.

24. SheaMoisture – Great for Curly Hair

SheaMoisture is another American favourite I like taking home, especially for friends with children who have curly or textured hair.

The Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Curling Butter Cream is a popular option for defining curls, taming frizz and keeping hair moisturised without feeling heavy.

It’s the kind of practical American product that makes a thoughtful gift — especially for families who struggle to find the right curly-hair products in the UK.

25. Kiehl’s Skincare

Kiehl’s is another American brand I love taking home, especially when I’m looking for something a little more special.

It has a great range of skincare and grooming products for both women and men, including moisturisers, face washes, cleansers, body products and shaving essentials.

I particularly like Kiehl’s for men because the range feels practical and easy to shop — making it a great option when you want to take home a useful gift for a husband, dad, brother or friend rather than another novelty.

It’s also a New York-founded brand, which makes it feel like a nice little piece of America to take home.

🏀 American Sports Gear

This is one of my favourite categories because sports merchandise makes such a good American souvenir.

And it doesn’t have to be something expensive.

26. LA Dodgers Hats

A classic American baseball cap.

If you’re from California or have spent time there, it also has that lovely souvenir quality.

27. Lakers Merchandise

I’ve included Lakers T-shirts, hoodies, socks, basketballs and other merchandise on my list.

Even people who aren’t serious basketball fans often like having something with the Lakers logo.

28. Other American Sports Teams

You can also find merchandise for:

A team cap or T-shirt can be a much more meaningful souvenir than something that simply says “USA.”

🗽 American Souvenirs & Things You Don’t Expect

This is where my list gets a little more random — but I think these are some of the best gifts.

29. Statue of Liberty Gifts

I’ve included Statue of Liberty models and other New York-themed souvenirs.

They’re particularly nice for children or anyone who has visited New York.

30. National Park Gifts

If you’ve travelled around the US, National Park souvenirs are fantastic gifts.

Think:

They’re much more personal than a generic souvenir.

31. Route 66 Gifts

Route 66 is another quintessentially American theme.

A Route 66 travel guide or souvenir is perfect for someone who loves American road trips.

32. American Children’s Books & Toys

I’ve also included things such as:

These can be especially fun if you’re taking gifts home for children who are fascinated by American life.

🧸 33. Jellycat & Special Gifts

Sometimes the best gift isn’t particularly “American” at all.

I’ve included some special gift ideas such as Jellycat, children’s gifts and other items that I happen to come across while shopping.

The list is really a mixture of things that remind me of America and things my family simply loves.

🧴 What About American Pharmacy Products?

There are a few American pharmacy products that I’ve personally been asked about, including Advil, Cortizone products and melatonin.

However, this is one area where I would always check the current UK rules before travelling.

Advil contains ibuprofen, which is available in the UK under other brands, but American formulations, strengths and pack sizes can differ.

Melatonin is particularly important to check because its legal status and availability are different in the UK and US.

So while these might appear on my personal “things people ask me for” list, I wouldn’t recommend simply putting medication in your suitcase without checking the current rules first.

🧳 My Golden Rule: Leave Room in the Suitcase!

The biggest problem with making a shopping list like this?

You actually have to get it all home.

Some things are easy:

Others can become surprisingly heavy or bulky.

A jar of honey here.

A bottle of maple syrup there.

A few bags of snacks.

Suddenly you’re standing at the airport wondering how your suitcase gained 15 pounds!

So I always try to think about weight, size and whether the item is genuinely worth taking home.

🎁 My American Gifts & Favourites Shopping List

Because I get asked so often what I buy, I’ve put together my American Gifts & Favourites to Take to the UK shopping list. I’ve chosen products that I would genuinely consider taking home for friends and family — not simply a list of random “American” products.

It includes 100 plus items, ranging from American snacks and chocolate to sports merchandise, beauty products, Utah favourites, children’s gifts and American souvenirs.

👉 SHOP MY AMERICAN GIFTS & FAVOURITES AMAZON LIST

trader joes
american gifts

🇺🇸 What Would You Take Home?

After living in America for so long, I’ve realised that the things people want me to bring home aren’t necessarily the things I’d expect.

Sometimes it’s See’s Candies.

Sometimes it’s a Lakers hat.

Sometimes it’s Trader Joe’s seasoning.

And sometimes it’s a very specific jar of Utah honey that apparently cannot be forgotten.

That’s one of the things I love about living between two countries: you start to appreciate the little everyday things that make each place unique.

So now I’m curious…

If you lived in America and were flying back to the UK tomorrow, what would be on your suitcase shopping list?

🇺🇸 More American Favourites & Moving Resources

If you’re looking for more American products to bring home, or you’re preparing for your move from the UK, you might also enjoy these:

🛍️ More from Life Across the Pond

🇬🇧 British Essentials on Amazon USA
Missing your favourite British brands? See my collection of UK products you can find on Amazon in the USA.
👉 Shop British Essentials

🏠 Amazon Essentials for Your New US Home
Useful products for setting up your home after moving from the UK to America.
👉 Shop My Home Essentials List

📚 Related Posts

Affiliate disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and brands that I genuinely think would be useful or enjoyable for Brits living in, moving to, or visiting the USA.

Tagged , , , ,