What food/drink should I take to my sisters?

balletshoes

some really great ideas here victory, and I agree with almost all of them. My sister's home is the one everyone congregates at over the holidays, and there are usually 4 or 5 adults plus kids staying over for a week or so. All the adults put the same amount each into a kitty, which covers all the food shopping/takeaways/picnic stuff etc the whole household uses during the visit.

If you don't think that would work with your sister, then taking food/going shopping while you're visiting and buying staples and treats to use and leave at your sister's makes perfect sense to me.

pinkclouds

I have grown up thinking it is perfectly normal to bring the odds and ends from the fridge with you, when going to stay at a relative's house for more than a day or so, because it will go off if left behind and be a huge waste. It's also reasonably normal to bring anything you particularly crave and would not expect to find in someone else's larder, especially if you're arriving late at night. And it's also quite normal to ask if there's anything from "home" that you could bring. Family from Scotland, traveling down to England, generally bring a couple of loaves of Scottish plain bread plus anything else they think of or anything else requested.

consultant31

I think giving her actual money could be very awkward and smacks a little of her being a 'charity case'.

I would buy and cook a nice big gammon joint to take with you. It could be used for some meals and also for the picnic sandwiches (hope you get the weather for a picnic).

Like others I'd be inclined to take any perishables from your fridge for obvious reasons and maybe make a trifle or something as a treat.

Enjoy your time away

Gigglepig

Can you bring her a nice home made hamper? Or even just swing by the supermarket on the way. I usually bring some nice treats when staying with relatives, for example chocolate, cheese, wine/their favourite drink, cake, or even steak, cold ham to slice on bread, depending on what they like.

I think it is great that you are considerate and even if your sister does not "need" the shopping she may still appreciate the treats and the effort you put into it. I certainly would.

birduk

I don't think you are overthinking this at all- you are being very kind and considerate! I wish my brother was like you!

He has come to stay with us twice since we moved 200 miles away- we always have to go to him as he can't be bothered with the drive (and £80 petrol costs!). When he came to us we spent about £200 on a food shop as he is so fussy- no foreign food, full fat real coke only etc. It was a nightmare! But when we go to see him, it is completely the opposite, as he claims he is skint- even though he earns more than I do. You open his cupboards and absolutely everything is branded, although he is on a DMP!!!

When we go see him the only meal we are allowed is toast for breakfast. The rest of it we have to provide ourselves. I am not kidding. We have to buy take-away for dinner, never offered lunch so we have to go out and get some. They even did a BBQ where they asked us to buy some meat (I'm a veggie). It is one of the things that really grates on me when I have spent so much money to get there and sleep on their living room carpet. Then they moan that we don't come often enough!

Gr, enough of my rant, it isn't about me. I think you are being really thoughtful. If I were your sister, I would be grateful of the coffee and cereal as they are expensive items. BUT you don't want to imply that her food isn't good enough. She will probably have meals planned, but not wine and dessert- you can provide that happily! It would be a great idea to pay for her day out as a thank you.

supermezzo

I wouldn't be taking fresh food as if she's already shopped it will get wasted, but then I'm not sure about taking food anyway. It's the other things as she says, such as heating, petrol etc
How about taking the coffee and wine and something for her such as cake, chocs etc then when you leave, a thank you card with a gift card in it for whichever supermarket she uses. It's a nod to the any of the extra costs of having guests, giving her the option to top up petrol, dry goods, freezer etc

Emmzi

My mum drives me nuts bringing stuff when she knows I will have got stuff in for her - implies I am a bad hostess! I would be much netter with...

"I was thinking of getting a Tesco shop delivered cos the kids (or in my case "your dad") are so picky - would you be offended? I just think we'll be a bit more relaxed then. Anything I can put on the order for you? I was thinking maybe a pizza and a curry night."

Or slip her an Asda or whatever gift card so she can catch up after the event? Then she can buy food or stuff for the house/ clothes if she'd rather.

Elmo1985

coffee, wine, chocs - something to eat for the first night you get there a whole meal or maybe some nibbly things - cheese, nice bread, cured hams etc - mmmm god this is making me hungry!

victory

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scheming_gypsy

If there's anything else you want to take, drop her a text telling her to 'make some room in the fridge. I'm bringing some food that'll go off while we're at yours so we might as well bring it and eat it'... That'll cover your back