Wow, I have jotted down so many suggestions from this group, will surely do a trip report to let you know how it all panned out!! Another question, I know money is the best tip and I will do that, but I wanted to give a small gift as well from Canada, something that you cannot get in SXM to some of the locals that will be providing us services at our rental and also perhaps some chance encounters with locals. Any ideas? Also we are staying on the French side and I am assuming we will need a converter to charge our cameras ect> Thanks in advance, this is an awesome forum!!!

Small bottles of Maple Syrup? Yes a converter is needed on French side.

Commemorative coins make lovely gifts when one does not know what a person would like.

I agree to the maple syrup. Pancakes & French toast are served with corn syrup.

Have never had corn syrup on my pancakes or French toast!

Many of the VQA outlets have big sales in January. Ice Wine is very Canadian and we have brought a few bottles with us over the years for gifts.

Canadian maple syrup is sold widely, I've bought it at Grand Marche several times. It costs about the same as in the US.

Its' brand name is "Aunt Jemina" along with other store brands, primarily made of corn syrup, which is what many restaurants serve.

See ingredients: http://www.auntjemima.com/aj_products/syrups/orginal.cfm

Ha yuck!! Only maple here either from NY or VT. Silly me thought all syrup was maple!

Out here in the Great Northwest we have ponderosa pine syrup. Don't you remember seeing on the table when the family ate on Bonanza. They liked it so much they named the ranch after it.

Good Morning: Beevly thank you for that, if you can buy Canadian Maple syrup on the island, that won't do for a gift. I would like something that local people cannot enjoy, I guess this is going to be a toughie. I am going to check out the amethyst here as it is mined locally so maybe that would be nice, perhaps an amethyst keychain if I can fine. Please keep thinking tho, I really want to do something!

We've done t-shirts, Cape Cod mugs, key chains, beach plum jelly, even had a request for Stop and Shop reusable bags! Whatever you choose, it's the thought that's greatly appreciated!

Heather, if I can take your clue of amethyst, why not some books on the Sleeping Giant, or shipwrecks of the Great Lakes?

Me too! My grandson is allergic to anything corn!!
Glad you asked.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

There is maple syrup and maple flavored syrup! Two very different things. Real Canadian maple syrup has no corn in it!The maple syrup we have taken to the island cannot be purchased there and is very pure.It is similar to that purchased in Vermont, but the sap comes from a maple tree in a different location.

Hi there: Looks like we live in the same area!! Yes I saw some nice card sized prints of the sleeping giant today, may go back and buy them. I did buy amethyst earrings and sun catcher local made at a store in Thunder Bay!!
thanks

Maybe you can get some lapel pins at city hall?

Three years ago we took what was the new Hershey's Caramels as gifts for a few local people whom we knew. Milton Hershey was a resident of Lancaster, PA where we live and opened his first candy story in Lancaster. When we went to the Grande Marche the second day on the island we were passing the candy isle and there on the shelf were Hershey's Caramels. We don't pack items to bring along anymore since St. Martin seems to have everything that we can think of as gifts. Cash will just have to work.