The Ultimate Canadian Care Package

Posted on 25. Mar, 2010 by Steph in Guest posts

I’ve learned more about Canadians since I began traveling then I ever had living south of the border in the US. Canadians love to travel, and just like every one else they miss home. So when Pam of Spunky Girl Monologues wanted to offer some insight into Canadian culture I was excited (and I tried really hard not to Americanize her spelling).

There is nothing better than finding a little piece of home while your traveling. Whether it’s your favourite fast food restaurant, favourite beverage, or some irresistibly good coffee. However when you’re trekking through a jungle or hanging out in a small village finding signs of home are few and far between. That’s when you start to crave things from home and start begging friends and family to send you that coveted Canadian Care Package.

If you’re on the purchasing end of said care package, here are 5 helpful hints on what you should include.

Tim Horton’s Coffee, Travel Mug or Both! Tim’s is 100% Canadian and 100% fabulous. There is nothing better than waking up half way around the word and brewing your very own cup of Tim’s or using your travel mug to drink anything from water to beer. Tim Horton’s is a Canadian institution and just looking at the logo can give you the warm fuzzies.

Smarties- Oh my… Smarties made in Canada taste way better than the ones made elsewhere. They’re better than M&M’s! I always eat the blue ones last. Mmmm

Maple Syrup, you knew that was coming! Canadian Maple Syrup is like crack-cocaine for your tummy. It’s great on almost anything: pancakes or waffles, ice cream, in hot chocolate, or oatmeal. When I travel I take a small amount with for those days when I’m sick of noodles and rice and want something sweet. BUT, if you don’t want to send actual maple syrup, Maple Cookies work just as well!

Anything with a Canadian Flag- anything with the Canadian flag works. Stickers, temporary tattoos, key chains, pens, you name it. It’s a great reminder of where you come from and can made for fun gifts for foreign locals. Personally, I have temporary tattoos that I can wear on Canada Day while traveling.

Creative Commons License photo credit: Ian Muttoo

Photos- every traveler loves photographs and the best ones are the ones from home. It doesn’t matter what they’re of, family, friends, pets, favourite bar, the place where you had your most embarrassing moment… ANY photo from home is a good photo!

Blogger, Traveler, photographer and part-time rambler, Pamela is the author of Spunky Girl Monologues; a blog about all things travel. First bitten by the Travel Bug in ‘98, Pamela has taken short trips to Scotland, Cuba, France, England and China. However she’s about to throw caution to the wind, pack-up her life, and quit her job in order to pursue her dream of sustainable travel.

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22 Responses to “The Ultimate Canadian Care Package”

ayngelina

25. Mar, 2010

I visited friends in New Zealand a few years ago and brought a care package and they wanted two things:

1) Kraft Peanut Butter, it’s only sold in Canada and Australia but the Australian version is slightly different
2) Kraft Dinner – similar to the American Kraft Mac and Cheese. Canadians grow up on it and while they often grow out of it it can remind them of home. I personally eat it once a year and that’s enough for me.
ayngelina´s last blog ..A RTW Itinerary That Doesn’t Include Thailand

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- Steph
  
  25. Mar, 2010
  
  I’m American but when I was living abroad my biggest requests from home were peanut butter and tequila (not to be consumed together… probably).
  
  Reply to this comment
Candice

25. Mar, 2010

Do Americans like Tim Horton’s? I wonder why it’s such a huge thing in Canada. Brand loyalty?
Candice´s last blog ..Man Bounty: Halifax Has It

Reply to this comment
- Steph
  
  25. Mar, 2010
  
  I’ve never been to one, I don’t think there are any outside of upstate New York…
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Becs
    
    25. Mar, 2010
    
    check the tim’s website. i saw one when i was in NYC(!) and checked it to see if there are any near me (california). nope, but they are scattered around the mid-north-east.
    
    Reply to this comment
    - Steph
      
      26. Mar, 2010
      
      Sadly there are none within 50 miles of me… My Tim Hortons curiosity will have to go unsatisfied for now.
      
      Reply to this comment
- Scott
  
  25. Mar, 2010
  
  The thing about Tim Hortons is they are such a socially aware company within Canada which drives brand loyalty. They fund scholarships for high school grads, the Tim Horton Childrens foundation supports camps for children at need and they also sponser many national and local programs across Canada. Add in they sponser minor league hockey with “Timbits” and other childrens sports…
  
  Plus they are everywhere. Any small town has at least one, and they’re reasonable prices for a cup of coffee. $2 for an extra large and cheap donuts. If you order a double double in Vanouver, it tastes the same as one in Calgary, St Johns or Toronto.
  
  It’s our version of Apple pie And I’m looking forward to drinking my double double when we’re back in Vancouver in a month!
  Scott´s last blog ..Is Koh Phayam the perfect beach in Thailand?
  
  Reply to this comment
- ayngelina
  
  26. Mar, 2010
  
  Tim Hortons is like Canadian Tire, the service sucks and the product isn’t that good but we’re fiercely proud of them because they are Canadian.
  
  Have you ever tried to get help at Crappy Tire, seriously it’s impossible.
  ayngelina´s last blog ..A RTW Itinerary That Doesn’t Include Thailand
  
  Reply to this comment
- Jill
  
  28. Mar, 2010
  
  It’s a tradition thing, I think. It’s not JUST a coffee shop. It’s where your parents took you after your first hockey game as a kid. It’s where your friend’s cousin works.
  It’s got a small town feel that just WORKS in Canada. I don’t know how else to describe it.
  Crap. All this Timmy’s talk makes me want a cappachino…
  
  Reply to this comment
The Jetpacker

25. Mar, 2010

I’m still CONVINCED that the Smarties shell has a faint fruity taste to it. There’s a hint of orange flavor in the orange Smartie. I got into this debate with some Canadian fellas we met at the Olympics and they’re convinced I’m just imagining.
The Jetpacker´s last blog ..What Is The Mystery Behind The Winchester Mansion?

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- SpunkyGirl
  
  25. Mar, 2010
  
  Hahaha…I still have some smarties, I should open up a box and see if you’re right. I’ve never noticed a fruity flavour before though…
  SpunkyGirl´s last blog ..Illeagally Leaving London
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Steph
    
    25. Mar, 2010
    
    are candaian smarties the same as British smarties? If so I’m going to vote no fruity taste.
    
    Reply to this comment
Legilber

25. Mar, 2010

Ketchup chips!! As a duel citizen of Canada and the states, I get so excited when I cross the boarded because those delicious chips are just a store away! I’m in Buenos Aires and am waiting for my Canadian care package. Too bad they can’t send Strubs Dill Pickles!!

Reply to this comment
- SpunkyGirl
  
  25. Mar, 2010
  
  OMG, how could I forget Ketchup chips! They’re sooo yummy. Although the ones out east are better than the ones made in the west.
  SpunkyGirl´s last blog ..Illeagally Leaving London
  
  Reply to this comment
- Steph
  
  25. Mar, 2010
  
  ketchup chips?! I am intrigued.
  
  Reply to this comment
Alouise

25. Mar, 2010

Tim Horton’s definitely – they even setup one up for the troops over in Afghanistan. My friend and I drove by one in Maine, I was tempted to stop and get a Double Double. I’m curious if Americans going to Tim’s in the US use those terms, or if they’d just ask for a coffee with two creams and two sugars.

And I have to add Coffee Crisp. Chocolate + Coffee = Deliciousness.
Alouise´s last blog ..Across The Pond

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Steph

26. Mar, 2010

The comments on this post have convinced me I really need to get myself up to Canada at some point. I’ve been before as a kid, but now I can see there is a lot of culture (junk food?) I need to appreciate better.

Reply to this comment
Jen

01. Apr, 2010

‘m from Montreal and when I gte home sick these are the things I crave. Smarties (Canadian smarties are better, and there is a sweetness to the candy that the other lacks). I also miss pountine, dill pickle chips(although there are some odd flavours .. ketchup, poutine, all dressed, chicken, ect… Canadians love their chips, lol), crispy crunch and tim hortons (not the best coffee, but it reminds you of home wherever you are in Canada).

Reply to this comment
- Steph
  
  01. Apr, 2010
  
  Need to get my hands on some of these “smarties”
  
  Reply to this comment

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I Like My Coffee..Travel Mug - 23. Apr, 2010
[...] Canadian Ultimate Care Package Travel | Twenty-Something Tim Horton's Coffee, Travel Mug or Both! Tim's is 100% Canadian and 100% fabulous. There is nothing better than waking up half way around the word and Brewing your very own cup of Tim's or using your travel mug to drink anything from water to beer. … Smarties Smarties-Oh my … Made in Canada "taste way better than the ones made elsewhere. They're better than M & M's! I always eat the blue ones last. Mmmm. Maple Syrup, you Knew That was coming! Canadian Maple Syrup is like … [...]