What are some "american" things french people would like as a gift? kind of like a souvenier?

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soho

The best gifts come with thought. If you have an idea of what interests your host family, you could tailor your gift. E.g., the parents like classical music, a CD of music by an American composer.

Assuming you know nothing of your host family, the next best is to give a gift that reflects you. That way you can pique their interest in the gift by giving some background on it, what you like about it, etc.; it'll make the gift more interesting and special to them.

If my generalizations don't help, here are some more concrete suggestions:

A bottle of CA wine (Napa or Sonoma). You may think it's weird to give wine to a French family, but the French mostly drink their own stuff, largely because it's what's widely available and cheap, not because they refuse to drink foreign wines. On the contrary, I'd think that the vast majority would be interested in trying something different. Get a recommendation for a decent bottle, though.

Regional food specialty. It doesn't necessarily have to be something nonexistent in France, but if it's from your region, that makes it special in itself. As a regional goodie, it'll bound to be delicious and the French love to eat!

A beautiful American photography book, on, for ex., famous architecture or national parks (e.g., Grand Canyon, Yosemite). Who doesn't like to look at nice photos, and you'll be showing your host family the more beautiful aspects of your home country.

Regional art or crafts. I'm from the desert, and there are interesting crafts that are Native American-influenced, like dreamcatchers, or made from indigenous rocks (e.g., figurines, picture frames). Maybe this will work for you, too?

In general, stay away from stuff that is too kitschy or cheap souvenirs because these are hit or miss (and likely miss).

Cats on DVD.

Bruce T

A jar or can of good quality nuts (cashews, macademias, etc.); the price of nuts in France is just nuts. In France, the nuts are sold in boxes the size of cigarette packs and they are VERY expensive. Your host family will think that you spent a fortune and what we think of as an average sized can is a giant can, not readily available in France. You might also consider getting them some hot fudge sundae sauce. They have lots of good food in France, but you won't see any hot fudge sundae sauce in French supermarkets. Amaze them by making them hot fudge sundaes (vanilla ice cream is readily avail. in France).

vir

A typical western hat, the one we see in western movies!

Viva LA NOIRAUDE

Bonjour de RhĂ´ne-Alpes country/France !
Not sure of my english, sorry....
Typical things as Stetsons, baseball ball (or american football balloon) T.Shirts or caps from big cities (I love NY, or LA....), or from famous NBA teams, also enormous (empty) big coca or pop-corn glasses as you can find in american fast-foods.
Bon sĂ©jour en France !

Great

As french, I would like for adult a book about your country (in English), an Tshirt for children.
Not expensive gifts because french who receive american host are a greater pleasure to receive host than gift. But don't forget the gift.
Have a nice stay in France

wildpitch_20

VH1 Behind the Music: MC Hammer

sweetmommy

Our latest CDs & DVDs, just make sure they will work on their system. They love American clothes by big American names like Ralph Lauren, Gap, American Eagle, Hollister, etc. Also Williams Sonoma stuff for the kitchen. Maybe some very American microwave popcorn!

fookine

A western hat or boots, a football team tee shirt or helmet, a baseball glove (anything about baseball is funny for us), a basketball cap, a registration plate of any state, a small statue of liberty, californian wine, a funny key ring, an history book in english, an old map, ...

Nicoco

mapple syrup (hard to find in France) + maybe pancake mix
errrr...
peanut butter?

patrice

n'importe quoi pourvu qu'il y ait inscrit dessus "I love Ny", ou un des ces fabuleux T-shirt Ă la gloire des usa, ou ce fameux stetson que portait JR dans la serie "Dallas" !!!!..

un peu comme un amĂ©ricain venant Ă paris et qui ramĂ¨ne une tour eiffel miniature .... so kitch !

Whitman Lam

It would have to be something specifically American.
If customs would let you, I'd bring a cactus plant from the Western deserts. Souvenir cowboy hats. Or some souvenir belt buckle. Or a painting of an American landscape.
Usually European people think of the Wild West when they think America.

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