I need a gift for a French family I'll be staying with?

Question

I want something American so I can bring a taste of the US to France.

My friend is thinking of making them Cd's of American music, so I don't want to steal his idea.

Answer 1

why don't you try to bring them a bottle of American wine? We (i 'm Fench) only have french wine here, that would be a good opportunity to taste something different.

Answer 2

American music is really popular overseas, so it won't be anything new.

Food is always wonderful. When I bring gifts when I stay with European families or friends I bring peanut butter and bagles, since you can't really find them there.

Also, clothes from American Eagle, PacSun, etc. is good too--they really like American style.

For adults it is always a little harder to shop for. I usually stop at a local gifty type store that sells souvenir type things--nothing tacky of course.

Where in the US are you from? Buying something that your state or region is known for or has to do with it's history is a great gift for adults (i.e. I'm from Wisconsin, so cranberries from a local fruit stand is always a good idea).

Postcards are great too!

Answer 3

This question has been asked several times recently!  

If you or someone you know is very skilled at making something unique, take that item.  Or take something that represents your hometown or home state.  Something that is not representative of corporate america.  For example, I live in Atlanta, but I would not take them something with a Coke logo even though Atlanta is Coke's headquarters.  I'd opt for a jar of peach preserves, or a peach-shaped tart pan.  You see what I mean?  

If you repost your question with your state in it, maybe people on answers could give you some good ideas.

Answer 4

why did not you use the 'search for questions' possibility on Answers ?

You'll get tens of answers.

Answer 5

American music doesn't seem like a very good idea to me, because it's present in France too, so it's not like it's something new to them.

If you want something American, I'd suggest bringing things like souvenirs you can buy in gift shops, like flags or things with the name of your city written on it.

Finally, you can make a photo album with pictures of where you live, your town/city/state, your family, your house, etc.. It's more personal and it gives you something to talk about if you don't have anything to say. I did this a few times and it worked every time.

Hope this could help!

Answer 6

Make it more personal and less corporate American - take something for which your home town, county or state is famous.