What kinds of gifts should I bring a french family that I am staying with?

Question

I'm going to France in 2 weeks and staying with the family of the girl that was my foreign exchange student last summer. In the family there is a mom, dad, boy (about 9 or 10), and 2 girls (ages 14 and 16). What should I get them?

Answer 1

Mabye something American like a t-shirt from somewhere famous near you.

Answer 2

also, certain candies. because that's the one thing i've always tried to find in europe but have had a hard time with, haha. :]

Answer 3

Bring them something that is unique from your home area.  For instance - I live in Virginia.  I would bring them a Smithfield ham or even perhaps some Virginia wine.

Answer 4

A nice idea would be to present her family with a photo album, of their daughter while she was a guest in your country.  Have her friends  that she had made while she stayed there add their own photos and notes, That would be a very kind gift that all of them would enjoy.

Answer 5

I second the above answer about a book about your local area.  

Another idea is a cookery books with recipes from your country/area.  Cooking is a popular pastime in Europe and of course with the French!  Trying new recipes and cuisines is something that many French are open to.

The other advantage is that it is a long-lasting memento of you.  Everytime they cook a recipe from it or open the book they will be reminded of you!  (also nice if you place a personal message inside the cover)

Answer 6

well dont get them anything french

ok, they may enjoy some thing from the west, COWBOY west, or if they are commies, a statue of kennedy, or hillary,

But i love France, they would just love to have you bring some homemade stuff from were you live, and enjoy it with you you.

be yourself, and a good american.

jimbo.

Answer 7

Food products are either bulky or might spoil.

But a good California (or other US) wine might

be nice.

If you can find those toy license plates

with their names, that might be cute.

The girls might like a celebrity publication

such as a fan magazine.

Something that is representative of your area,

like refrigerator magnets with some famous

building or monument.

A book with lots of pictures of your area.

(If they can read English well, then your

options are much greater.  It is virtually

impossible to find books in the US in French

which are not of French origin.)

Those are all rather small and insignificant.

If you will be there 2 weeks, you could visit

a bookstore there and find something perhaps.

Or you could buy other gifts there and present

them when you leave.  By the end you'd have

a better idea what they like.

Answer 8

Well the French visitors brings mostly the Eiffel tower shaped presents, so get them something famous from yours. Opera House from Australia or The CIA badge from the US.lol