These are the things we have received from students and teachers we have hosted: Two lbs of dried pasta made with squid ink from our Italian; about two lbs of German chocolates from a German boy; a short length - maybe a foot or so-of beautiful lace made by the German girl's grandmother that I have since made into a pillow cover; two sets of chopstiks, beautifully decorated, with a small rice bowl from the Japanese woman teacher; a small enameled trinket box from a Spanish boy. I use it to keep my rings in.

They were each a delight to receive. From the list you have suggested, I think a locally made candle without scent would be appropriate.

You and your son and your exchange student will benefit greatly from this. Enjoy it, and don't fret about it.

So if you have something like that where you live, I don't think it'd matter what it was, as long as it was something that is specifically from your local area.

On a funny note, I once asked some people in Japan what they would like for me to bring fo them? They excitedly explained that they had never smelled a skunk, and could I bring them a skunk smell sample?

So, I went to a hunting store, bought a small bottle of skunk-on, or whatever it was called. Even wrapped in multiple plastic zip locks, it seeped odor, so I froze the vial of oil inside a small bag of water, then placed that inside a closed thermos flask. I delivered the vial and a small stuffed animal skunk without incident.
My friends greatly enjoyed anointing the skunk and sharing the experience.

I do realize that i would never ever be able to bring that thru security now, can you imagine the stink homeland security would raise : )