I am going to France this summer to live with a French family in a small town of Limoges. It is sorta out of the way. I wanted to bring the family who has a 16 year old boy some gifts from Georgia (since thats where i live). They can get coke easily over there so that ideas out. I dont want to bring a t-shitr or key chain or anything like that b/c thats just a little cheezy. I thought i would bring them a coffee table book on georgia. Like a picture book.

But what else. i would greatly appretiate your help

About 20 years ago I knew a french woman who was very impressed with instant pancake mix (e.g. Aunt Jemima). Maybe they can not get this in France?

I hear that they do not have peanut butter in France. I was there not long ago, but didn't notice as I was too busy eating everything else!

Also, you could take some tasty snack foods you like - they are less into snacking over there and seem to have limited selection of that sort of thing (I shopped at Monoprix).

Have fun!

How about some US coins? It doesn't have to be an expensive set, but newer ones that you come across the next few months. Or the State quarters... While visiting other countries, teens seem interested in our money.

No offense, but i seriously doubt that food will be the best gift, since France is pretty much the center of the culinary world. How about some kind of craft that is native to Georgia? I might be wrong, but don't they make some neat woven baskets there? For the boy, maybe a baseball cap from Georgia Tech or UG?

I think the book idea is a good one. Also regional special foods - like peach preserves, pralines, local candies, etc. Maple sugar candy (not local to the south, but pretty unique to USA I think) also might be a possibility. A college t-shirt might be a good idea for the 16 year-old (e.g. University of Georgia or whatever).

When we had a French exchange student here she was very excited to bring her dad Jack Daniels. (This is obviously a gift for the parents--not the 16 year old). On a recent trip to Prague, again Jack Daniels was the gift of choice.

My parents hosted a student from Germany a couple of years ago. She had never had peanut butter or Oreos before, and fell in love with them when she was here. She took some home with her along with local foods from the Seattle area (salmon, local jams, local wine, etc.)
I would suggest some items that are unique to Georgia. Maybe some local peach jam. Coke flavors the soda to taste different in other countries, so maybe taking some Coke isn't that bad of an idea after all.

American food is a good idea. The French go wild about specialty products they cannot get in France. Some jam made with Georgia peaches would be a huge hit.

If you want things that are easier to carry, get some buttons from the Atlanta sports teams. Those are big hits and they weigh nothing.

Peanut butter can be found in Europe these days, but it is very expensive. How about some made with Georgia peanuts? You could also bring a large bag of peanuts in the shell.

Maple syrup is another item bound to be a hit because it is difficult to find in Europe. If you are going to buy it, buy the real thing not the synthetic maple syrup (forget about the calories this once). If you bring it together with the Aunt Jemima mix, well, you got an American breakfast.

I have also brought American cookbooks with measuring spoons and cups (remember Europe is metric and it is all different). This only works if they know English.

The coin suggestion is bound to be a hit as well.

I have also brought t-shirts with American sports teams. One time I brought a German baby a "Future President" t-shirt. It was a huge hit. Teens would probably love any American themed t-shirts.

For my friends in Germany, there is always a mandatory bag of Doritos. They are liable to be Dorito crumbs by the time I get there, but I have to bring them. They used to live in the US and are wild for them. We open the bag very slowly. Then we pass it around like fine wine so everyone can inhale and then they dig in. It has become sort of a tradition. We also have a good laugh about it.

My friends in Scotland like pecans and cornbread mix.

1) Authentic Georgia Tech or Bulldog t-shirt or hat.
2) Food may be contraband..also, they have GREAT foods there already and can get virtually anything.
3) How about asking them what they would like from the states (GA) or what they can't get...then surprise them!
Enjoy!

Bring them deoderant.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Once when I was in France, we picked up a young hitchiker and he was fascinated by NBA basketball teams, so maybe an Atlanta Hawks hat if you want something representing GA or something Michael Jordan related for more universal appeal.

As someone else said, the parents will probably go nuts for American whiskey, that's all they drink in the bars, "whiskey coke".

You've gotten some pretty good ideas already, but you might post this on the Europe board, with something in the title that might attract someone in France, such as "Gift for a French Teen" or something like that. Just a thought.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I would have never thought about the peanut butter and coins thing. I did post a similar question on the european board.
Anyone else?

Peanut butter is widely avaliable in Europe....

Go for the Basketball clothing idea as this will be very expensive in France

Create your own Savannah sampler: a six-pack of Billie Beer, one peck of peanuts, a notarized copy of Newt Gingrich's divorce proceedings, and a 20-lb sack of sweet vidalia onions.

I was told pecans are expensive and comparatively rare, so perhaps "Turtles" candy or pralines. Some Scandavian friends thought our Poptarts were hysterically funny, ditto Spam. But peach preserves made locally will probably go over very very well.

Re: pancake mix -- a neighbor had some French visitors once who found the picture of "Aunt Jemima" striking, shall we say, on sociologic grounds. I haven't bought pancake mix in years but am I right in thinking that the box has been redesigned for that very reason? If not, consider another brand just to keep things neutral and about gift giving.

Reply to soccr: Pancake mix has had a makeover, check out the new auntjemima at http://www.auntjemima.com/

Reece's peanut Butter Cups. Yum!!!