Paris themed gifts?

Question

I have a friend that really really loves the whole paris theme. she also like the Eiffel Tower....but everywhere ive looked on the internet..i cant find any ideas...so if you can help me with ideas, websites, or stores..id really appreciate it.

Thank you

Answer 1

If you have a  store near you called Cost Plus World Market, you can probably find bottles or other items shaped like the Eiffel Tower.  Sometimes they have liquor in them, and sometimes they're empty.  People often use them for olive oil or just colored water.  

One of my friends gave me a necklace charm shaped like the Eiffel Tower.  She got it at Macy's.  

There are lots of books about Paris.  Three of my favorites are "Above Paris" by Pierre Salinger, "One Thousand Buildings of Paris" by Jorg Brockman, and "Paris from Above" by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.  All are available on amazon.com.  Some or all of these may be available at your local bookstore, as well as possibly other titles.

Get her some French perfume.  I just bought 24 Faubourg by Hermes.   It's named for the address of their flagship store in Paris.  BTW it's far less expensive on amazon.com than in any store.

Give her some French music CDs.  I've never met anyone who didn't like Charles Aznavour or Edith Piaf.  

Give her some DVDs set in Paris.  "My Best Friend" and "Paris Je T'Aime" were both very good and might be out on DVD now.  

I have quite a few photos on kodakgallery.com that you're welcome to browse through.  Maybe you'll see something that she would like.  I am by no means a professional photog, but a few people have given positive feedback about some of my shots.  Email me if you want a link.  Just a cautionary note -- don't wait too long to order or it might not arrive by Christmas.

If she doesn't speak French, sign her up for a class if you think she can fit it into her schedule.  

Speaking of classes, sign her up for a French cooking class.  Many large grocery stores like Whole Foods Market offer these classes.

Answer 2

It is difficult to answer without knowing her age, tastes, hobbies, etc and without knowing your budget. However, here are a few ideas:

1) Eiffel Tower jewelery. For instance if you type "eiffel tower earrings", a lot of sites will come up. Or a charm:

http://www.surlatable.com/product/id/176...

2) other Paris/Eiffel Tower themed gifts:

http://www.happymall.com/france/paris_st...

http://www.cafepress.com/la_eiffel_tower

http://www.lightaffection.com/ParisEiffe...

Clocks:

http://www.hansonellis.com/groomsmengift...

http://www.surlatable.com/product/id/124...

http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/pro...

3) Movies or books in which the story is set in Paris. For instance has she read best-seller novel Perfume, by Patrick Suskind?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375725...

As for DVDs, you can check amazon.ca, since it is bilingual they will have both US and French movies. It is hard to make recommendations without knowing her tastes though.

4) Any bookstore will have beautiful books on Paris in the travel section (I don't mean guide books, but more like nice books with large pictures) or in the photography section if she likes photography.

5) Have a nice poster of Paris framed. A lot of sites sell posters online and some may frame them. Or does she like jigsaw puzzles?

http://www.puzzlehouse.com/paris500.htm

http://www.bitsandpieces.com/%5EJigsaw+P...

6) A 2008 calendar showing a different picture of Paris each month: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602...

http://www.calendars.com/results.asp?PID...

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksea...

Hope this helps. If you tell me a little more about her or your budget I may be able to come up with more ideas.