Suggestions for a gift for a girl moving to Paris?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My 20 year old niece is moving to Paris for 5 months starting in June. Other than a chastity belt, any recommendations for a moderately priced ($100 or less) gift for a pampered tall thin blonde American chick moving to France?

(She’s studied French for several years so she shouldn’t need language CDs, plus I’m sure she has print and digital dictionaries et al, though I have considered a collection of German phrases [“My father has money and will pay”, “I’m only a student”, “I’ll show you where they keep the good vintages if you’ll let me make a phone call”, etc.] in case they get invaded since they’re decades overdue.)

2

A couple thoughts come to mind:

  • (although not a great movie by any means) a DVD of “Taken” just to teach her about trusting strangers, sharing cabs, etc… :wink:

  • the practical: power convertor and plug adaptors (they use 220V at 50hz)

  • digital camera or extra memory cards

3

I really liked Food Lover’s Guide to Paris. You also might photocopy the list of good bakeries from Jeffrey Steingarten’s The Man Who Ate Everything.

4

JMHO, I wouldn’t get her anything physical that you expect her to carry over there, her suitcases and carry-on will be stuffed as it is and I’m sure she’d rather pick out her own travel gear. If she’s short on cash then some euros in a bon voyage card would be most appreciated, if she’s doesn’t need cash (and it sounds like that’s the case) then something like the German phrases is a charming idea. Perhaps make an audio file to listen to?

5

Pepper spray.

6

A really nice notebook and pen so she can keep a journal (and roll her eyes at how bizarrely Luddite her Uncle Sampiro is).

7

A French letter.

8

As sugar and spice pointed out, anything she has to take with her is just going to add weight to her luggage. Wait until she’s been there for a while and starts to think of things she wants from the U.S. Then you can send some of those things to her.

9

Eurail pass? Single country maybe?

10

Don’t give her a chastity belt. Instead, give her lots of condoms. :slight_smile: I would have given my left foot to live in Paris for five months at 20.

But I like the journal idea, or maybe a really nice compact umbrella. Can never go wrong with an umbrella.

11

A raspberry beret.

You can probably find one in a secondhand store.

12

Are you implying that Sampiro’s niece won’t wear much more? :eek:

13

Well, as long as she’s got the chastity belt on it won’t matter. :wink:

14

Jesus christ, that movie was the least accurate portrayal of human trafficking evar. Don’t waste her time with it.

Honestly, my recommendation would be to give her a hundred euro bill or something (depending on how much you want to spend - that’s a bit over $100). Moving your whole life to another continent is a huge pain in the ass and the lighter you can travel, the better. I’ve done it four times and inevitable regretted how much stuff I was schlepping.

15

I bought this book when I first moved here in 2003:

http://www.woac.net/bloom/bloombook.html

and I still use it all the time. Give her $25 to buy a copy or order it before she arrives.

16

A beautiful silk scarf that will go with many things and look gorgeous. Lightweight, doesn’t take up much room, and I’d think it’ll be a treat.

17

My number? Sure, I don’t live anywhere close to Paris, but I could go there for a weekend and show her a good time :slight_smile:

18

Dude, you harshed my Prince buzz. Or are you too young to know that song?

19

googles lyrics

No, I know the song, I just never understood what he was saying in the last part of the chorus. I guess it depends on whether or not it’s warm in Paris during the summer.

(It is.)

20

Ooh, thanks. I’ll give her an Amazon gift certificate and a print out.

Thanks to all for suggestions, especially “the less stuff to pack the better” part which I hadn’t thought of, especially considering that I have traveled with my niece and she do-not-travel-light as it is. (She’s like a sitcom character- 5 bags for a 2 day getaway.)