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Post by andi on Jul 5, 2008 6:52:54 GMT -5
Ok so our third trip is due in a few days time, I am already thinking of what I can bring back for the family. We usually only bring back token gifts (nothing extravagent) We need to find gifts for our 3 daughters (aged 22, 20 and 13) Something for the grandson (aged 4) and my mum............dad is easy, smelly cheese, the house sitter loves wine. Any suggestions would be greatfully received. Probably should add that previously they have had , novelty Eiffel Tower lighters, key rings, t-shirts, bits of jewelry, fridge magnets etc.  |
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Post by Anne on Jul 5, 2008 7:18:22 GMT -5
For the girls, I remember that the (rather tacky) souvenir shops in St Germain small streets or close to the Louvre sell some quite nice Tshirts with Paris written on them in different ways . Really, many Tsirts are quite ugly, but I was surprised by how cute a few were . Also for the girls : some French rock music CDs (tell me which UK/US groups/singers they like, I'll ask my kids about their French "equivalents") . Also : Sephora or Marionnaud sell some kind of baskets or fun bags filled with toilettries : shower gel, bath salts, soaps, etc ... all in one special perfume and/or colour Also : Promod or Cache-cache chain stores have quite great "bijoux fantaisie" For your mum : perfumed soaps, tea towels with Paris on them, a tray like the ones that Demarais buys from Comptoir Richard, stationery from Stern ... When looking for presents for my daughter's future host family in Australia, I found some ideas on this thread : ourparisforum.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=268(and some ideas here also come from suggestions that Aussies on the forum made to me  ) EDIT : I was already writing when you added the info that they already got Tshirts (yes, I am rather slow in English), but I leave the info here for anyone else interested . Although I must admit that this is one one of the most obvious presents  ... |
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Post by Jody on Jul 5, 2008 7:55:20 GMT -5
I saw some really nice handmade bracelets and ear rings in a shop in the Marais that we just happened to be passing. Sorry I can't remember the name but it was near Pl. de Vosges. Also the museum shops carry many items that girls would enjoy. There is even a store in the Marais that carries all the items from various museums of the city of Paris.
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Post by denise on Jul 5, 2008 9:33:31 GMT -5
:)We always bring back chocolate as gifts from some swish chocolatier. It is beatifully presented and it is not something you can easly get in England. If you are worried about it melting, pack a small cool bag and then pack it in your suitcase. In the baggage hold it is cool. For your grandson it is easy to find chidlrens books with lots of pictures. Denise Love from Bolton |
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Post by suzanne on Jul 5, 2008 10:00:17 GMT -5
I usually bring tea towels for my mom and sister. Absinthe for my 20 something sons. I have also been to that jewelry store demaris mentioned and got really cute bracelets for my DIL and daughter. I think it is on Rue di Rivoli near BHV. I got cute mouse pads too. There is a large souvenier section in Galleries Lafayette. I try to find cute Christmast tree ornaments whenever possilbe. People like having an ornament from Paris on their tree. Bon Marche's food section is a wondrland for gift ideas. I got ornaments there too.
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Post by holger on Jul 5, 2008 10:15:36 GMT -5
There are some wonderful small shops on the main shopping street on Isle St. Louis. Several have small items that are made in France that are great for teenagers and early twenty somethings.
It is a fun place to wander and have ice cream as well.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 5, 2008 11:18:52 GMT -5
Yeah, what Holger said! That's the first place I head when I need small and not too expensive items for just about any age group. (Do your daughters have their own apartments? If so, the Pylones store has wonderful whimsical small kitchen and household gadgets that might be fun.) Also on Ile St Louis, down past Berthillon on the same side of the street, is a shop with a selection of nice small items - can't remember the name, but it's got all the St Louis edition Galt houses in the window. Across the street is a very nice poster (mostly) shop, run by the same woman - she goes back and forth when someone shows interest in the poster shop (although in high tourist season, she may have it staffed, not sure).
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Post by ouiparis on Jul 5, 2008 12:23:17 GMT -5
I second the Pylone suggestion. I can spend hours in that store. There are locations all over Paris - Montmartre (across from the Sacre Couer), Ile St. Louise, one near La Madeline. I'm sure there's more. They carry more than just household goodies. They've got pens, credit card holders, umbrellas, and all sorts of other neat widgets.
Have you ever mailed postcards from the Eiffel? Great and inexpensive souvenirs.
I found some really great Monet eyeglass cloths at the Musee Marmottan gift shop. I bought one for myself and for a friend at work. She wears glasses but she doesn't use the cloth to clean them; she thought it was so pretty that she tacked it to her cubicle! They were 4 euro each if I recall correctly.
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Post by cigalechanta on Jul 5, 2008 14:01:43 GMT -5
Yesterday, I saw Sex and the City. In one scene Carrie was carrying an Eiffel Tower handbag. Does anyone know who made it?
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Post by ouiparis on Jul 5, 2008 14:20:44 GMT -5
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Post by Jody on Jul 5, 2008 14:48:46 GMT -5
I love the pillow covers you can get at various museums . On rue Jacob there is an oriental rug store that has delicious covers made from a Kilim pattern. They usually run around 20 E and are easy to transport.
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Post by paris...ahh on Jul 9, 2008 22:46:18 GMT -5
My first trip to Paris with a friend was May 8 -16/08. We knew we wanted certain types of souvenirs -most tacky.
I bought three "Paris" bags and gave two as gifts. I don't use the one I bought for myself as much as I thought I would, but I do REALLY like the one I bought for my daughter.
Since I like to have aspring, ibuprfen and acetephine (sp?) at all times, I bought two tablet holders. One from a bouquinists (which I liked the best) and one a little more tacky from a souvenir shop on the way to Sacre Coeur in the Montmartre area. The one from the bouquiniste broke on day two of use, but the other one is doing great.
As I mentioned, we really wanted some "touristy" stuff. I also bought boxer shorts for my son in law and note pads from L'Orangerie for a few friends. At Galleries Lafayette, I bought chocolates that had pictures of the important sites around Paris to distribute to co-workers. Since I like to get "consummables" for people. I bought chocolate covered crepes for my neighbour (and she is still displaying them, unopened, on her coffe table) and pens for my parents and myself. That's about it.
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Post by mez on Jul 10, 2008 5:58:41 GMT -5
When I was in Paris last October, I bought a day-to-a-page desk calendar from the Louvre. Each day I tear off a page and get to see another fabulous artwork.
I have kept the pages of the artwork that really impressed me and my goal is to visit each piece when I return in November.
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hahahha