DH went to China for business trip recently and one of the guys (& his wife) presented him with a beautiful silk fan that we will be displaying in our home. Well, this guy & wife are now heading here & DH has tasked me with finding an appropriate gift to give them. Any ideas?
Is there something specific from your area? Crafts or artwork from a locally known artist? For example, in my area there is a person that makes beautiful bowls out of burled wood. They are beautiful just to look at but can be used as well.
Normally when traveling to China, the traveler brings the gift, and the only ‘rule’ is that it shouldn’t be something made in China! Do not be surprised if they bring you a gift this time too.
Definitely something from your region or special to America. A set of spices (they especially like American Ginger root), art work, something made from marble or another stone from your area, wood carving, water color.
That’s part of the problem - I can’t think of anything particularly local that fits the bill. We are in suburbs of Detroit. So I’m trying to think of Michigan based stuff, but my mind is just a blank!
Good suggestions…but also keep in mind…this person will need to transport this back to China.
I agree with finding something that is made in your area of the country. are there any crafts people who make small items?
When our friend from Michigan visits, he always brings something from here:
http://www.cherryrepublic.com/shop-cherry-republic/chocolate-cherries
Michigan is now associated in my brain with dark chocolate covered cherries! Yum.
New Englander here…I take maple sugar candy. It’s small…and can be carried easily on a plane.
From HI, I often bring Coffee made in our state and/or Mac nuts and/or Mac but candy and/or tea from HI. Sure, you can buy it elsewhere but folks seem to enjoy edibles.
For businessmen, I’ve always given wine from a US vineyard, or even a bottle of small batch Kentucky bourbon. Not sure if that would be right for a couple though.
The visitor is from China. How is he supposed to get that bottle of wine back to china…?
You can bring alcohol into China however, since it is limited, the businessman might prefer to use his allowance on something else. He can always drink it while stateside, too.
I would recommend giving something nice and permanent (akin to the fan) in addition to any consumable.
A handmade bowl and some candy to fill it would be a good combo.
How about a cherry wood bowl made in Michigan filled with the cherry candy @BunsenBurner linked to?
https://hollandbowlmill.com/the-history-of-the-holland-bowl-mill/
I’m a fan of the live edge look.
If you want to get fancy, you could even have it engraved with something.
How about Amish Dutch item? a coffee table book of Michigan? Book of the National Parks?
Something blue and gold. 
Something shaped like a mitten. https://www.■■■■■■■■/listing/270753645/handmade-michigan-state-cutting-boardyqxoCnpkQAvD_BwE
https://www.■■■■■■■■/listing/256187699/michigan-shaped-wood-cutting-board?ref=additional_listings_0