It's an American thing!

CAFCGirl

I was thinking I might put the dollar bill inside his bday card (which has the chrysler on the front) and let his mum know he has to open the card first!

All these fantastic ideas, I've had to re-read and write them all down in my notebook!

Now Im thinking about what I could put it all in!
Was thinking of maybe trawling charity shops to find an old battered looking suitcase? or trying to make a huge papier mache big apple to go over a normal box with it all in? Any other ideas?

thriftlady_2

Miracle Whip is like salad cream, I looked at some when Tesco started stocking it and it's full of rubbish .

Following on from Leni's idea about the guidebook, you can buy those clever little fold-out maps of major cities in bookshops like Waterstone's, I'm certain they do one of New York.

scaredy_cat_2

i think your gift sounds fantastic - you've gone to a lot of trouble to collect bits and bobs - i'd be thrilled getting it if it were me!

also i had to look up shortening on the net!!

sandieb

Do you think you could post a photo of the recipient when he has opened his present?

thriftlady_2

Brokenwings, tell me Worcester is better than New York

brokenwings

oh thriftlady

it is it is it is
( fingers crossed behind back lol )

sophiesmum_2

asda sell oreos:D

sophiesmum

kessik

Buy Oreos in Sainsburys - they are in a blue box with a picture of the cookies on the front - two chocolate rounds with a creamy white filling. Boxes have 4 packs of 2 biscuits inside (as I remember but I might be wrong). I paid about 60p. I might've seen them in Tescos too. Molasses isn't available freely here but try substituting black treacle. Shortening - try using white Flora.

How about baking some muffins?They are practically idiot-proof (not that I think they need to be for you!). You can make savoury or sweet. We like corn muffins with bacon in - if you want a recipe pm me. Or make some cornbread - buy cornmeal from the health food shop. What about a couple of bottles of Budweiser? :beer:

HTH

kessik

CAFCGirl

wow I just wanna say thankyou to everyone. These ideas are all brilliant and you've all been so amazingly super!

I'll defo take a photo of it and see if I can post it here so you can all see where you're hard thinking work has gone!

Crikey only two weeks to sort it all out now!

Thinking after Brokens super offer (thankyou SOOOOO much!) maybe sending the card with the dollar bill in for starters then giving him the whole basket when I see him would be a cool way to do it!Little bit of anticipation then!

Am going to see if I can blag some travel brochures from the travel agents too!

CAFCGirl

kessik wrote:

How about baking some muffins?They are practically idiot-proof (not that I think they need to be for you!). You can make savoury or sweet. We like corn muffins with bacon in - if you want a recipe pm me. Or make some cornbread - buy cornmeal from the health food shop. What about a couple of bottles of Budweiser? :beer:

HTH

kessik

Trust me the more idiot proof the better!

Whats cornbread taste like? Is it an equivalent to anything british that I might know? It always looks lovely on the tele!

He's a cider drinker so the beer might be a waste. However he is going back to being a student so in that case!