My 16 year-old son is participating in a mini foreign-exchange program through his school. During April a student from France came and stayed with us for a week during which time he went to school with my son, did some field trips to the local sights, and was generally part of our family for seven days. He brought a couple of gifts including a book on Normandy (in English) where he is from, a french cookbook, and some exquisite chocolate candies for Easter.
In a couple of weeks my son will go to France and stay with the family of the same boy for a week plus another week of general sight-seeing in Normandy and Paris with the other students who are participating. I am a little stumped for ideas of gifts to send with him for the hosting family. I could certainly find plenty of books about Texas but not in French. I’m not sure a cookbook of traditional Texas recipes would be considered a great addition to a French family’s culinary library. So I thought I would turn to the thoughtful and wise members of this message board for ideas.
I think a cookbook on Texas or general American BBQ would be very appropriate, along with some spice rubs and/or sauces. Your personal chili recipe translated into French, including French measurements. Perhaps a cowboy hat or cowboy boots. Some Mark Twain books translated into French would be very appropriate.
A book about the D-Day landing, a CD of Evangelical country music, a gun replica, a miniature electric chair and either a framed picture of governor George W. Bush or a t-shirt with the famous Bush “Mission accomplished” picture on it.
Or, if the humour could be lost in traduction, a picture-heavy book about Texas and a Texas cookbook. English is fine if the book is mainly pictures. I think the French might be open to other cuisines. The snooty attitude is more linked to Paris than the rest of the country.
Basically, anything that is both 1) strongly associated with Texas 2) something that would not rub a New England democrat or Canadian the wrong way.
Are there clothes which Texas is known for? Cowboy boots are footwear which makes it difficult to give to someone. Large hats might be a bit much. Maybe a Texas poncho? A big belt buckle might be Texas-like but it might very well go unused.
Amazon has a couple of books on the French history in Texas. (Remember that there was a French colony on the Gulf Coast in the nineteenth century.) They might find this interesting, although the books are in English.
Send 'em some snails. Them French folk just LOVE them some snails.
Seriously, I would consider sending a straw cowboy hat or some western photos/artwork showing past and present Texas. Maybe some beef jerky. A baseball with the Rangers logo or a football with a Cowboys logo. These are things that pop into mind when I think of Texas.
I live in Texas and go to France pretty often. Things that go over well - anything to do with cowboys, BBQ sauce, American candy, Texas wine (not if your kid is only 16) and pretty much anything from Buccees - the tackier the better!
Wow - thanks for the good ideas (and the laughs from the less serious ideas).
My impression that some Texas things might not be appreciated is probably an over-thought stereotype of the French. His host family lives in a smaller town of ~50,000 so a little Texas tackiness might not be looked down upon as I thought.
I’m not familiar with alcohol laws in the US. Is it illegal for a minor to possess alcohol? To drink it, yes. But what about possession without consumption?
I know Texas doesn’t necessarily see itself as part of the US (sort of like how my ancestral stomping grounds of Sicily doesn’t necessarily see itself as part of Italy), but does it have to be Texas-specific? I chose a Mark Twain book because finding a French translation shouldn’t be too hard, but perhaps an equivalent Texas writer, writing about Texas, but re-printed in French would be more appropriate (though assuming Texans can write a whole book might be pushing it*).
Honestly, I think the cookbook is almost a necessity. One of the biggest ways cultures bridge gaps and build friendships is over food. Between Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex, you have an unique culinary style to share. Heck, go all out. A BBQ cookbook by a Texan, some spice rubs and a bottle of sauce, and a bag of Texas hickory wood. Even better if your son knows how to BBQ and can show them how it’s done.
I got The Homesick Texan cookbook as a gift a few years ago - it’s got great pictures, it’s not too big/heavy to take in luggage and it’s got a variety of recipes in it. There are lots of other options out there too. I love the idea of the National Park photo book that zoid suggested.
Laws vary from state to state. Here is NY (my state):
That said, possession, if discovered, even if legally given to a minor, will get the minor possessing alcohol and the parents hassled. Not something you want right before an international flight. Quickly searching Texas, I don’t see anything even allowing possession by a minor.
It is also illegal to sell alcohol to minors (<18) in France, though there is no stated minimum drinking age.
The first one, if it’s got lots of good pics who cares what language it’s in. And the second one, why not? The recipes are very different from either traditional French ones or from nouvelle cuisine, but many of them are popular in France and simple enough to make at home (Carrefour has a whole aisle or two dedicated to “world foods”, which usually includes ingredients for Mex and TexMex). Worst case scenario and assuming whomever usually cooks doesn’t read English, the boy will have to translate… best case, he or another sibling will end up being the one who uses the book
Lot’s of good suggestions and good humor as I would expect. A photo book is a great idea that I will pursue plus perhaps a BBQ cook book with some sauce.
Also, I did sign a permission form to allow him to drink wine at dinner if his guest family does as well as to sample some locally made ciders with low alcohol content although I will refrain from sending some along as a gift.
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