DD2 (14) going on a French Exchange in less than a week - we're advised to take a gift for the family - any ideas?

[2sugarsandadog]

Shortbread? although I've heard this is available in most French supermarkets

Fudge?

Though about a local game of Monopoly but dd said 'I'm not taking that!' and probably impractical weight and size-wise in any case.

Any ideas anyone? Anyone lived/living in France gagging for something peculiarly English? Thanks in advance!

British beers?

She's flying :(

A small hamper of British stuff?
Kendal mint cake, marmite, one beer, erm....
Would that be too heavy?

Teas (nice ones), shortbread, fudge
It is the thought that counts

My mum made a traditional fruit cake with glacé cherries in glaze on top for my French exchange family. Apparently went down well and travelled fine.

Nice teas, marmalade

Naice teas. The French generally love good teas (but usually drink it without milk). It is something seen as very British but that they should love rather than turn their noses up at!

These all sound really good. Maybe (as her baggage weight will allow) a box of Marmite, Kendal Mint cake, fudge, shortbread and >> home made fruit cake ?

And tea. Forgot the tea!

A British recipe book - trad pies or baking or something?

Tea and British mugs to drink it from (Emma Bridgewater are very popular).

All french supermarkets have naive tea in them and I live in the back end of beyond.

Marmalade is an idea (sure you can buy it here though): they like to have it with their pâté de foie gras. Shortbread also everywhere. Marmite worth a punt for novelty factor. Bendicks chocolates would go down well or other posh mint chocs. Not After 8 - I saw them in Super U last week! Not sure your DC can carry it but they love things like Sloe Gin or a good single malt whisky (although the supermarkets are full of it).

Yes anything with a union jack on it. They love it. Teens esp love t shirts/bags with them on- a good gift for your exchangee?

Wouldn't send marmite except as a joke. Doesn't appeal to the avarage french palate. Is there something local to your town foodwise? A book with lots of pictures of your local area or tourist attractions. Gives something to talk about to break the ice

If you want to take food, Belvoir Elderflower Cordial is good. As is really good Cheddar or Stilton.

I sent Tiptree Jam (little scarlet strawberry) and some nice biscuits when my dd did this. On another exchange, French girl to here, and different family, I received fig jam and french honey. Easy to pack and not too heavy.

Agree with castles - Union Jack themed stuff is super popular.

Duchy Original chocolate ginger biscuits also good.

Actually thinking about it, having had a few exchange students, the students had requests from parents for Cheddar, Stilton, Ambrosia custard and sherry trifle. All things I have never seen in French supermarkets. I did wonder how the trifle got back in one piece. Anyway I think very British things that can't be found in France are good

Fantastic ideas - thank you so much. Not sure dd will be persuaded re. cheese although I think its a really good idea. Can't believe the Ambrosia thing! Castles, forgot about exchangee! Lapet, we're in Oxford so the book idea is a really good one - lots of beautifully illustrated books about it. x

I think you're overthinking this, 2sugars. Last time I was in a British airport I saw a selection of British teas (breakfast, earl grey, etc) in Union Jack caddies at one of the shops landside. That will do perfectly. No need to faff around with cheese or fruit cake.

Does the school allow them to take alcohol with them?? At my DS's school, we were advised that no students should carry alcohol as a gift. He took creme eggs for his exchange partner, which went down well! (3 years ago) Don't know what the new version tastes like though!

When DD went to stay with a family abroad she took a Emma Bridgewater union jack tin with some British grown tea and biscuits in.

She also took a Union Jack notebook and pen (from Monsoon) for their daughter.

We used to have French children staying with us every year with the exchange programme and some of the gifts they gave us were awful. We have a cork screw made out of a log that looks like a dog poo and a glass swan ornament swimming on a mirror floating around somewhere. The Union Jack biscuit tin someone mentioned upthread is a good idea, otherwise just chocolates or something like that. They'll appreciate the thought regardless.

DD took a Cath Kidston bag to her exchange - mainly because it didn't weigh much or take up much room in her bag. It just seemed like a good "British" thing at the time. Food-wise, there doesn't seem to be much they can't get over there (depending on the area, I'm sure).