Gifts for Turkish Friends

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Over the years I have taken good quality but small pictorial items with a practical purposes. Playing cards, teatowels, china or pottery sweet dishes, place mats or coasters, coffee mugs, small tableside books predominantly pictures, scarves. The lady of the house may like oven mits, or lavender bags - we have a nice range here in fabric depicting national flora which are very much appreciated by my friends. Sweets, or biscuits (small ones) in pictorial tins also went down well and the tin became a tea caddy afterwards. Depending on the age of the children picture books of native animals or flowers. We also have a form of abalone here and the shells are bufffed and make great ashtrays (after all theres not too many Turks who do not smoke), and either small earrings or pendants for the ladies. Yoiu may something similar.

This is just from my experience but my boyfriends mother loves different coloured and textured wool for her knitting (i usually buy her 4 rolls of the one type). And kids love different kinds of lollies/chocolate that is not available in Turkey (especially ones that come in a tin/container or with toys attactched.

When I am in NewYork I always buy pens,pencils,coffee mugs,T shirts,etc.. with NewYork pictures or amblems on them for my nephews and nieces...

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I hail from Tennessee, and the only specific requests I sensed during my visit had to do with "JD." For the rest of my friends, I will look for Appalachian crafts, and sweets that will not melt, and I will go to Kinkos for t-shirts with pictures from my previous trip. It is hard for me to imagine cooler yarns, etc., in the US, but I will try! Actually, my part of the USA is probably quite similar to the places I visited & loved in Turkey. I truly appreciate this message board!