Over time, I’ve gotten emails from individuals asking what to carry again from the U.S. for his or her French family and friends members, so at this time I’m going to reply that query. In the event you’re on the lookout for the proper American items to carry French individuals from the USA, hold studying as a result of I’ve bought you coated!
Excellent Individuals items to carry French pals
I don’t learn about you, however I discover it actually difficult to select the proper reward for individuals. After being on the receiving finish of well-intentioned items that weren’t, how let’s assume, my fashion, nicely I’m pondering many people on the market have hassle with reward giving. There’s a lot that might go improper! But it surely’s the thought that counts, proper?
To assist guarantee your reward might be a banger, it’s at all times a good suggestion to maintain the recipient’s preferences and pursuits in thoughts. If in case you have French pals or relations, it’s possible you’ll need to give them one thing that displays your American tradition whereas additionally being considerate and sensible.
Your relationship with the particular person additionally comes into play. In the event you’re assembly your boyfriend’s dad and mom for the primary time, I’m pondering a bag of sweet may not reduce it. Extra on that beneath. Positively learn the room when deciding what Individuals items to carry French pals.
Additionally, don’t stress an excessive amount of. When purchasing for items for French individuals from the U.S., I feel the novelty side of the reward will assist add to the cool issue. It’s one thing new to them and could seem a bit unique, in order that’ll undoubtedly work in your favor.
Earlier than moving into my listing of reward concepts for French individuals from America, there are two issues to bear in mind:
Appreciation for artwork
France is thought for its artwork and tradition, and the French individuals take nice delight of their creative heritage. From the Louvre to the Musée d’Orsay and all the opposite well-known museums in France, France is dwelling to among the world’s most well-known artwork collections.
The French recognize artwork in all its types, from work and sculptures to music and literature. Now it goes with out saying, not EVERY French particular person takes artwork severely, however in case you’re on the lookout for a present for an art-loving French buddy, contemplate a e book a few well-known artist or a print of a well-known portray.
Love of meals and wine
French delicacies is sort of a faith and everyone knows the French take their meals severely. They have a tendency to worth high quality elements, conventional recipes, and the artwork of cooking and having fun with their meal.
In the event you’re on the lookout for a present for a French gourmand(e), contemplate one thing that celebrates their love of meals, reminiscent of a cookbook, kitchen instruments, an ornamental dish towel… you get my drift.
Wine can be an essential a part of French tradition, and a bottle of fine wine is at all times a welcome reward. Simply ensure you select a high-quality wine from a good winery and pack it correctly on the airplane.
Alrighty, now into my listing of reward concepts from the U.S. for French individuals.
Regional meals merchandise
When touring round France, I at all times cease by vacationer retailers which have a lot of produits regionaux which might be new to me. From sea salt, to sardines, to specialty sweets, wine, cookies, and extra, procuring native is a good way to pattern a area’s specialty meals merchandise.
Why not do the identical within the U.S.? In case your space of the USA is thought for a selected kind of product or meals, I extremely advocate going this route on your reward. It’s my best choice for Individuals items to carry French family and friends.
The French recognize high quality meals merchandise as I defined above, and as , mealtime and consuming nicely with family and friends (usually at a extra leisurely tempo than we’re used to!) is a part of French tradition. You’ll be able to’t go improper with a high quality regional meals merchandise from your house state or area on your French particular person reward.
Observe: Spicy meals should not tremendous frequent in France, so don’t purchase something with an excessive amount of warmth until the particular person can take it. Additionally, cinnamon/pumpkin spice isn’t a well-liked taste right here (neither is cranberry), so in case your French particular person likes that type of factor, it may very well be course to go in.
This might embrace meals specialties reminiscent of taffy, chocolate, BBQ sauce, scorching sauce, California wine, locally-made jams and honey, and a lot extra.
These considerate items won’t solely introduce your French pals to new flavors but in addition present them that you just put some effort into their reward.
Greatest place to purchase French meals on-line (BIG low cost code!) >>
Regional memento
So many areas of the U.S. have superb memento retailers and native boutiques that it ought to be a no brainer to cease in and peruse the choice. Outlets like this usually function native artists’ wares and are an important place to choose up a singular reward.
A present my in-laws liked was an ornamental ceramic trivet that had a extremely well-done graphic of New Jersey, my dwelling state. They like to cook dinner and use it on a regular basis (whereas getting somewhat geography lesson within the course of).
In Florida, I bought my mother-in-law a lovely silk scarf that had the same kind of lovely graphic outlining all the principle areas of Florida in a extremely visible, colourful manner. One other time, I bought her some Florida-themed slippers that she liked and wore till that they had holes in them (French individuals love slippers).
At a pleasant boutique in Spring Lake, NJ, the final time I used to be there, I picked up a regionally made candle with an ocean scent for my mother-in-law as nicely.
You realize your individuals greatest, however issues like handcrafted pottery, jewellery, tub & physique merchandise, leather-based items, housewares, and many others. are glorious choices.
At any time when potential, I attempt to purchase regionally made souvenirs for myself and others as an alternative of a mass-produced magnet or keychain, so completely go the regional path to share a chunk of the place you come from in a considerate manner.
In case your French particular person is into pictures and/or journey, you may need to contemplate a framed picture of a selected space if it has particular significance to you or them. Most vacationer areas have stunning photographs on the market in case you aren’t a lot of a photographer your self. A wall or desk picture calendar can be a good suggestion.
Credit score: www.depositphotos.com/jshanebutt
Normal American meals merchandise
One other enjoyable thought is to carry meals items which might be quintessentially American. You’ll be able to go the junk meals/sweet route or choose up issues that may have extra dietary worth. No matter you get, simply ensure you go for meals merchandise they will’t readily discover in France.
The French individuals in my life love making an attempt new meals, so go nuts. And in the event that they hate it, nicely, extra for you. ;-)))
Let me additionally preface this class with a fast disclaimer. A few of these American meals merchandise that carry again fond recollections of our childhoods won’t have the identical impact on a French particular person. They could even come throughout as unusual or careless items, relying in your relationship.
It’s particularly essential to know the way a seemingly random meals merchandise is likely to be acquired. Sweet is at all times a success with youngsters, nevertheless it most likely goes with out saying that giving a field of Pop Tarts to your new boyfriend’s dad and mom for Christmas isn’t going to chop it.
Additionally, since I’ve moved to France, increasingly more previously hard-to-get American meals at the moment are accessible right here like peanut butter, nut milks, Doritos, and Greek yogurt. Nonetheless no mac & cheese, egg whites, and flavored espresso creamer. although.
5 Standard American grocery retailer objects you received’t discover in France >>
A few of my favourite American meals to carry again for French individuals:
–Sweet:
- Reese’s peanut butter cups (whilst you can generally discover the unique ones nowadays in France right here and there, you received’t discover the extra fascinating varieties which have potato chips or pretzels in them)
- Tootsie pops & Blow Pops
- Twizzlers
- Jolly Rancher candies
- Nerds
- York Peppermint Patties
- Warheads (for the bitter lover)
- Chocolate-covered pretzels
- Raisinets
- Any kind of cookie dough chunk or cookie dough product. They’re not tremendous widespread in France.
- Fudge. There are nice retailers on the Jersey Shore and my in-laws have liked the fudge I’ve introduced again. It’s not one thing you discover in France.
- Cinnamon gum. Whilst you can in fact purchase gum in France, cinnamon actually isn’t a taste you see right here.
- Toll Home semisweet chocolate chips for the baker in your listing. In France, the baggage of chocolate chips you purchase on the grocery retailer are tiny and fairly costly, to not point out the chip sizes are just about all mini chips. Additionally they primarily are available in darkish or milk chocolate — no semisweet.
Credit score: www.depositphotos.com/homank76
NOTE: In the event you’re within the U.S. round a vacation interval like Christmas, Easter, or Halloween, the festive packaging is at all times a good selection. In France, you’ll discover Easter and Christmas packaging principally however on a a lot smaller scale than within the U.S., the place it looks like there are 100 decisions.
I as soon as introduced the French Air France flight attendants on my flight a collection of Halloween-themed sweet and one lady liked it a lot that she instructed me she was conserving it for her daughter (vampire Bitter Patch Youngsters had been a success!).
–Cheetos. SO GOOD and will work nicely for an apéro snack. Cheddar goldfish crackers and Cheez-Its are additionally good tacky snack objects.
–Actual maple syrup (the very best I ever had was made in Vermont and likewise Canada.) It’s nice drizzled over yogurt.
–Pop Tarts. Whereas nutritionally doubtful, the novelty of a Pop Tart is price it.
–Beef Jerky. There are SO many types of beef jerky within the U.S. in addition to different sorts of meat jerky. Seize a bag for the French meat lover in your life.
–Marshmallow Fluff. These things is form of bizarre however tops my listing for a novelty product.
–Ranch salad dressing. No clarification wanted. SO GOOD.
Tech items
In case you are on the lookout for a higher-end reward, understand that tech units like an iPhone are going to be cheaper within the U.S. than in France. The retail value is decrease and with a powerful U.S. greenback, it is sensible to purchase your electronics within the U.S.
All the time do a value comparability, however cell telephones, computer systems, train trackers, good audio system, and many others. are all good reward concepts. I’ve additionally discovered superb tech-adjacent items at locations like Marshalls and TJ Maxx — issues like chargers, cables, cellphone instances and that type of factor.
Presents that replicate American tradition
With regards to deciding on items for French individuals from the U.S. that replicate American tradition, there are a number of choices to think about that’ll assist you make impression:
Sports activities memorabilia
Sports activities are a major a part of American and French cultures, however they’re completely different sports activities, so why not deal with your French sports activities lover to some American sports activities memorabilia. American soccer, basketball and baseball-related items all make nice choices.
Listed below are a few of my faves:
-Staff jerseys, hats, or t-shirts
-Autographed sports activities gear or memorabilia
-Tickets to a recreation or sporting occasion in France like The Harlem Globetrotters. Additionally, you should purchase a Tremendous Bowl move so you may watch it on TV.
-A soccer. Easy however enjoyable! My nephew nonetheless throws across the American soccer we bought him 5 years in the past.
American literature
American literature has a wealthy historical past and is thought for producing among the world’s most well-known writers. In case your French pals are literature fans, you may reward them some traditional American books or up to date literature. Listed below are some recommendations in case your French particular person enjoys studying in English:
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
- “The Nice Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- “The Catcher within the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
- “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
- “The Coloration Purple” by Alice Walker
Remaining ideas
There’s no scarcity of reward concepts from the U.S. for French individuals, so with somewhat legwork, I’m certain you’ll discover the proper reward. Do your greatest to keep away from overly generic and low-cost items each time potential.
Lastly, keep away from shopping for something that must be plugged in until you’re certain a easy adapter will do the trick. There’s not simply the problem of voltage however hertz as nicely. Most American pc chargers work simply nice with an adapter however hair instruments won’t. Mine truly caught on fireplace, so on your security, keep away from in any respect prices even when the worth is true. USB is the way in which to go right here.
I hope my submit gave you some concepts on what to carry again French individuals from the U.S.
Comfortable procuring!
PIN my American items for French pals submit:
