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Original poster

gift ideas wanted please... French school exchange visit

12 replies

Se7en11 · 31/03/2019 15:46

Hi.
my DD(15) will be going on a school exchange trip to France next term. She has been paired up with a student from the french school and they have been messaging each other on Insta, etc.
Her French teacher has suggested to all students that they each take their French pen pal a small gift, nothing expensive but something typically British.
we are stumped for ideas, so would appreciate some suggestions please.
we have a few weeks to get organised but as I'm pretty busy with work I'd like to get this sorted now while I think about it.
All I can think of is shortbread or a notepad with the tower of London onConfused

OP posts:
HaventGotAllDay · 31/03/2019 15:55

I notice our foreign students stock up with Whittards tea in fancy "British" canisters, anything but anything with London on, or Harrods.

Ricekrispie22 · 31/03/2019 16:01

There is no such thing as pickle in France. Plus there are many other condiments that you won’t find in France such as mint sauce, horseradish or brown sauce.
Sweets from traditional sweet shops such as sherbet lemons, mint humbugs, pear drops etc...
English breakfast teabags.
Fudge
Jaffa cakes

clearsommespace · 31/03/2019 16:02

I live in France. We have brought back the following as gifts and have had successful feedback:
Shortbread
Bottle green elderflower fizz
Prince Charles' biscuits
Savoury crackers to eat with cheese
Fruit pastilles and Wine Gums

Agree that anything with London on would be a success with a teen.
So the notepad is a good idea.

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clearsommespace · 31/03/2019 16:03

Oh yes fudge!

I disagree with Jaffa cakes. They exist over here but are called Pims.

HappyMama01 · 31/03/2019 16:08

Baked beans!
My French best friend (who was my French exchange) had never had them! She fell in love with them and took back about 12 cans 😂

Horsemad · 31/03/2019 16:09

Where do you live OP, is there a local delicacy you could send as well as a 'London' gift?

YahBasic · 31/03/2019 16:15

My default gift for a non English teen is an Oxford Uni hoodie. About £15 on eBay/Amazon.

Always goes down a treat for some reason.

EduCated · 31/03/2019 16:18

Something like these notebooks?

AdaColeman · 31/03/2019 16:26

Kendal Mint Cake
Fudge or treacle toffee
Scarf from your local football team

Original poster
Se7en11 · 31/03/2019 18:04

kendal mint cake? never heard of it, is it nice? sounds horrendousGrin

OP posts:
luckylavender · 31/03/2019 18:08

Tea, shortbread, Sherry.

BlueMerchant · 31/03/2019 18:11

What about a book with all the Great British Landmarks in it.
Usually 'The Workx' has a good selection and some traditional sweets?

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