Kelbert

Hi all,

This may seem like a silly question, but it is really starting to consume me. I have no problem trying to figure out what to bring my Mom, sister, niece, & nephew....but what do I get Dad??

He can't eat chocolate so that is out. I think I read about a hardware/tool shop in Paris somewhere??? He is a construction foreman, so something from there might interest him. I just want to bring back something special from Paris for him...any ideas?

He is 54, works construction, and has never been outside of the US...he only gets one week of vacation a year...and it has always been that way. We took lots of weekend trips as kids.

Thanks!

crepes_a_go_go

You say no chocolate, but there are lots of other food items that could be a possibility: a good French mustard, a bag of French coffee, a package of macarons.

I had the same situation with my own dad. He took us on trips all our growing up years, but now that we are grown, he hasn't taken a vacation in over 20 years. He has no hobbies because he works all the time - has his own business, no employees and is on 24 hour call. When I took my mom with me to France in November, we brought back all kinds of food items so he could experience a little of what she did. A dozen macarons from one of my favorite patisseries at Montmartre was his favorite thing.

Kelbert

Thanks crepes_a_go_go for the suggestions.

Mustards are a good idea...he packs his lunch everyday for work and could use them on a sandwich.

LVSue

My dad was a card player, so I brought him back some cards from France. When he saw the kings with R, queens with D, and jacks with V, he was "What the h....??"

Joe_in_Silver_Spring

Try the hardware department in the basement of BHV. They have lots of neat guy stuff.

Kelbert

Thanks Joe!!

That is the place I was thinking of!! Couldn't remember it though.

Much apppreciated!

Kelbert

MelissaHI

also when you give the gift to him....maybe also give him a garden gnome like the one from Amelie!

brotherleelove2004

How about reproductions of those old French nudie postcards? He might get a kick out of them. I've seen them for sale at newsstand/postcard kiosks and in some stores in Paris.

Gretchen

How about a nice Laguiole pocket knife?

Viajero2

Lingerie for your Mom (Kidding!) and or a nice cologne/after shave. A couple of T-shirts are always a practical, good gift. Also, stop by a supermarket/food product section and get some cheese, bottle of wine. Be aware of security constraints for whatever construction tool you get, better be packed with your suitcase, not your carry on. I will think a tape measure would be cool (once in a while there are drawings/products that use the metric system). You sound like a great kid and hope you have the best time!!

JulieVikmanis

How about a tie with tasteful eifel towers on it--if he dresses up occasionally.

ira

A hard hat with his name written in French?

Kelbert

Great ideas everyone!

I was thinking a tape measure would be kind of cool....and I like the hardhat idea...Ira!! Too big to pack though.

walkinaround

i like the pocket knife idea above. also, Laguiole make the traditional steak knives that look like switchblades (but are not so they are legal). a boxed set of these would be a keepsake.

ira

>I like the hardhat idea...Ira!! Too big to pack though...<

Wear it home, K.

SusanP

Kelbert, It's no problem fitting a hard hat in! I just brought back a sink for my bathroom from Mexico. Just packed socks and stuff in it and rolled clothes and fitted them around it. A hard hat should be even easier. Have fun!

StCirq

Kelbert:

A tape measure would be metric - his construction projects could suffer.

Is he a coffee drinker? Bring him home some wonderful French coffee.

Go to the basement of the Bazar Hôtel de Ville and you'll be overwhelmed at all the things that might be good gifts for your dad.

Viajero2

St Cirq-- if you go back to the posts on the tape measure you'll get that Kelbert is aware of the tape measure on metric system and that's what is cool about it! (obviosuly, a souvenir...)

Kel-- I was also thinking a pair of construction-type gloves, a tool's belt, a thermo.

Kelbert

St. Cirq--As Viajero2 stated...I am aware of the tape measure being metric...would be neat for him to have. Coffee is good...he likes that.

I will definitely go to BHV and see what I can find.

Construction gloves and/or thermos is a neat idea too.

Whew! I'm not stressed anymore! Thanks everyone!

Will post trip report upon return.

Kelbert

pjsparlor

i just gave my Dad his present I bought in Paris in March 2005. I went to maille mustard shop on madelene street. I bought the chablis mustard and cassis. He really loved it.