What are some ideas for a French birthday gift for my male friend here in the U.S.?

Question

This guy is very frugal. So, I find it hard to get him something for his birthday. My other friend is going to France, and I will ask him to buy something for this person. So, what should it be? I don't want it to look so much like a souvenir. As far as price goes, I really don't have a limit, though I'd ratehr get something not so costly. This person is turning 21. He shops at American Eagle and places similar to that.

Answer 1

I don't quite understand why it's hard to buy a frugal person a gift (I presume that you're paying for the gift).  A gift card from France wouldn't work too well if your friend is in the US.  If your pal likes model airplanes, you might get him a plastic model plane from France (WW 2, jet planes, etc.).  Those are seldom seen in the US.  Clothes can be VERY expensive in France but he might like a belt or pair of socks.  You can also consider giving him a bottle of French cologne.  Made in France chocolates is another possibility.

Answer 2

In some areas of France, you can buy wooden shoes (just like in Holland). I've heard they're comfy too. But they are expensive (because they're hand-made.)

Answer 3

Well, I'm a French guy who had lived in US, and so I can tell you that your friend maybe miss some French food.

So it could be sweet to invite your friend in a French restaurant , or if you're not living in a big city, try to make yourself a French dinner.

Another thing is that you can ask your other friend to buy some French wine you can't find here or a Pastis/Ricard bottle (popular French alcohol hard to find in US stores).

As he'll turn 21 it's the rigth deal versus American law.

In the other way, you can buy for him something typically American (clothes, jersey team sweat, tickets for concert or sport event, ....)

;;;;;

Answer 4

i would say a map of France and its cheeses

Answer 5

I've often sent stuff to my american male friends here in the USA, and what had the most success was a bottle of good French wine. (it was a veuve Clicquot, Champagne), but why not a T-shirt?

Answer 6

What about a gift card to his favorite store? These are easy to purchase on line and can be used however the recipient would like. That means no hours of shopping and worrying only to have him return it or sit in a drawer.