I just finished packing up a box to ship over to my daughter and son-in-law in the UK. It’s filled with items they can’t find there and miss. There are a couple jars of yummy Kraft peanut butter (because, they say, British peanut butter is gross), a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, Peeps, candy corn, and a bag of Smart Food popcorn, among other things.
As I packed the box, I began to muse, “If I were living in another country where I couldn’t find some of the items I was used to having, which ones would I miss the most?
Tim Hortons Dark Roast coffee would be near the top of the list. Dempster’s Farm House Bread (which I can hardly find anymore at all <insert sad face>) and King’s Hawaiian rolls, real bacon (I don’t eat it often but when I want it, I want it), McDonalds Sweet Tea, Devil’s Food Cake Cookies (which I eat once a year because otherwise I might make myself sick on them), and a recently discovered treat, Smart Food Cheddar and Caramel Popcorn – it’s kind of a weird list when you think about it.
Still, I realize that it’s not so much the items themselves as it is the comfort from home that they bring with them. The peanut butter and cereal are things the kids grew up on and makes them think of younger days. The Devil’s Food cookies takes me back to being with my grandma who always had them ready for us at her house. The Peeps and candy corn speak to traditions and the coffee brings with it a quiet moment just to myself to savour and breathe.
If you had to move overseas for a while, what material items do you think you’d find yourself missing there after a few months?
Holly @ The Inspired Home says
Had to click on this simply because of the Brock t-shirt, but you make excellent points.
For me: REAL maple syrup, popcorn, Tim Hortons peppermint tea.
Liz @ Yes/No Films says
My college roommate lived in Paris for about 6 months (I went to visit her, 2 years ago) and had us bring her peanut butter – they don’t really sell it there.