Frenchtwist

My husband and I are traveling to Paris and then heading to Oyonnax to visit French friends for a few days. I live in Southwest Florida so I was thinking a regional gift would be nice but I'm struggling to come up with anything besides oranges. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Merci!

Lorac1127

Local gifts are usually appropriate. How about Florida beach towels or sea shells. Or tee shirts and baseball hats from some of the Florida sports teams or colleges. If there are little children, Disney shirts or stuffed animals. Our French and Italian friends and relatives liked anything with the NY logo on it.

We love those coconut candy patties that we found at some of the roadside shops also. Or maybe a nice photo book of Florida and its beaches. Hope this helps.

Patrick

I hate to sound unappreciative, but I've hosted families from Europe, especially the UK. Frankly having placemats with their local scenes on, or a plate with the name of their home town, or other touristy little things like hats are t-shirts are stuck away and will get thrown out -- I wouldn't even buy those things if I visited there, why would I want them from places I've never been?

On the other hand a handsome "coffee table book" -- like the Everglades or Beache Scenes from the air might be something they'd appreciate.

Underhill

The coffee-table book is a good idea. Our French friends like those, as well as Native American jewelry and artifacts (baskets, pots). Scenic calendars are also welcomed, as is candy. We've also taken brownie mix and bottles of California zinfandel, not ordinarily available in France.

spring33

trying to find something made in the USA is also very difficult. If you live near a museum or a Metropolitian gift shop, you might find some interesting things there.

Scarlett

Hi Frenchtwist!
We are living in Jax now and I have friends who live in London, who will get some small gift at Christmas time from us.
We were at an old historic plantation not too long ago and they had black and white photos of the place, with the trees dripping moss, it was a recent photo but looked very old and almost haunted. I will send that to them, something truly not found in England
Therefore I agree with the idea of books or calendars or photos~

Judyrem

I have found fabulous Florida trinkets in Sanibel shops and Fort Myers Beach shops...a tropical print purse(tres chic), crazy cute flip flops, little gator tropical pins or jewelry, bronze metal fish sculptures, wind sculptures(which I love)..lots of stuff besides oranges ;-) IMVHO. Judy

Scarlett

Hi Judy, seashells from Sanibel would be a great gift!

miguelgcuadra

a key lime pie....now there is a key lime store all over florida

Frenchtwist

Thanks you guys! Your suggestions are very helpful. I am taking a gift to my friend's parents as well and a picture calendar of Florida is a terrific idea since they only speak French. I think our friends would also enjoy a coffee table book. They've never visited Florida and are now under the impression it's a very dangerous place to live because of all the hurricanes. Key lime pie would be a great idea if I can keep my husband from eating it on the plane. And maybe I'll go shell scavenging. Thanks again everyone for your suggestions.

ira

Hi F,

How about a carved pelican?

BTilke

Another vote for the coffee table suggestion. The only other suggestion I could offer is something scented with orange flower water. We live in Europe (Brussels) and buy French laundry detergent, softener, linen water, etc., and orange flower from Provence is one of the most preferred scents...something along that line (orange flower water soaps, for example) from Florida would be an interesting alternative. At some Paris cafes, they also offer orange flower water to the hot tea with fresh mint leaves.

janeg

How about a dozen pink flamingoes for their yard!

Scarlett

janeg, snorting