Small gifts
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Small gifts
We are going to visit an elderly French couple in Nimes that hosted our daughter ten years ago while she was on a French Study program in college. I cannot think of an appropriate gift to bring, that's easily carried and not too expensive. Any suggestions?
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure what you're thinking of for budget, but I think a small framed print (or photograph)is a nice gift. It could be of a scene in your part of the world.
I have received a couple from foreign exchange students in the past and I appreciate them so much. This is also the kind of thing I try to buy as souvenirs as well.
I have received a couple from foreign exchange students in the past and I appreciate them so much. This is also the kind of thing I try to buy as souvenirs as well.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have always found that the French appreciate a book showing photos of the part of the world where YOU live - a coffee table-type book, but it doesn't have to be huge or heavy.
Another suggestion might be some kind of food (we know the French love food) that is special to your part of the world).
Another suggestion might be some kind of food (we know the French love food) that is special to your part of the world).
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your suggestions. Since I live in So. Calif. it will be easy to find beautiful coffee table books on our area. I'm not too sure yet what kinds of food are special to our area but it will be fun to shop and see what I can find.
#11
Lol...well. I do watch my friends cook but not that magically appear. but one friend's husband always grills fish on the outside fireplace.( I prefer fish)
But eat my other friend's wild boar that he catches on his hunts.
But eat my other friend's wild boar that he catches on his hunts.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cigalechanta, thanks for the self-justification, I always feel like such an ingrate: I'm up to my elbows
in cooking, and a well-meaning dinner guest arrives with flowers that require a vase (usually of a shape I don't own), or with a dessert or side dish that requires a platter or serving utensil that I didn't plan on. I smile and try to look grateful, but mostly I feel exasperated. I think it's just that they are not cooks themselves.
If the coffee table book is too heavy (any chance you can order from amazon uk and ship it?) then I think local candy or jams/fruit butters, or other such treats would be also welcome.
in cooking, and a well-meaning dinner guest arrives with flowers that require a vase (usually of a shape I don't own), or with a dessert or side dish that requires a platter or serving utensil that I didn't plan on. I smile and try to look grateful, but mostly I feel exasperated. I think it's just that they are not cooks themselves.
If the coffee table book is too heavy (any chance you can order from amazon uk and ship it?) then I think local candy or jams/fruit butters, or other such treats would be also welcome.
#16
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Elaine,
I'd rather not have a dinner guest bring flowers because there's hardly room in the apartment for them! But I don't recall ever running into a flustered host-hostess-cook in these parts -- except for myself! I've been told, though have not polled, that a food gift is a bit of an affront. (Though I am regularly forgiven for a lot of American faux pas. (What's the plural of that?
I'd rather not have a dinner guest bring flowers because there's hardly room in the apartment for them! But I don't recall ever running into a flustered host-hostess-cook in these parts -- except for myself! I've been told, though have not polled, that a food gift is a bit of an affront. (Though I am regularly forgiven for a lot of American faux pas. (What's the plural of that?