I will be visiting the states in the next week or so ( Idaho/Washington areas if that helps). I was wondering what items I could pick up/ship back home to Canada, that we can`t already get here.

I have already begun a list that includes various types of mixes (DH, Pillsburry, Betty Crocker in different flavors.) As well, if you know of any stores or places to save money.

Thanks for any help.

Here's what I always buy: Viva paper towels, Americolor gels, tylose powder, Jello white chocolate instant pudding (although it's getting harder to find all the time!)

I'll let you know if there's anything else that I think of!

I always stock up on Cake mixes especially the flavors you can't get here like Red velvet and strawberry..

Last time I was in the states, I got some neat sprinkles in the grocery store. Due to allergies, I can not buy in bulk or any of the CK sprinkles so the grocery store ones were a great find for me!

Thanks for your ideas everyone. Any other suggestions?

I live in WA, the best places to shop as far as grocery stores go would be Albertson's (if there's a sale on cake mixes, you can get them $1 or less), or Fred Meyer's. Safeway can be expensive and their sales are usually not that great.

I unfortunately don't know any bulk stores that sell things cheaper, except for like Costco but you need a membership and if they have cake mix, it'll be one basic flavor like chocolate.

I'm new to cake decorating so I have not scoped out any stores that sell sprinkles and specialty items.

Winco usually has good prices on single cake mixes. Cash n Carry has bulk cake mixes usually just in vanilla and chocolate. They also carry Pastry Pride and sleeves of cake fillings (lemon, raspberry, etc. Varies by store I imagine.) There is a cake store in Seattle (Home Cake) that has all kinds of cake stuff if you'll be in that area. It's a jumbled little hole in the wall but she has lots of supplies (including a large quantity of Americolor gels) and she knows where everything is if you can't seem to find it.

I will third the suggestion of Home Cake in Seattle. The proprietress is extremely knowledgable and helpful--she's even talked me out of buying something because she told me how do it cheaper a different way. She has regular gel colors and also colors for chocolate (oil-based, so they don't make the chocolate seize); a million flower stamens; books, cake pans, hundreds of those acrylic chocolate molds (e.g., 20 one-sided easter eggs on one sheet), cutters, plastic doodads, dragees, tiny royal icing flowers--the list of inventory is incredible. If you can think of it, ask her.

thanks everyone for sharing..

Are you going to the Seattle area, or more towards Spokane?