What is the greatest gift?

March 18, 2009 2:30 PM

What gift should I bring to a 4-year-old half American, half-French girl living in Paris?

Friends of my husband are generously offering to let me stay with them when I got to Paris next week. I have gifts for Mum and Dad, but what about little girl? What should I bring a little girl who just started going to French school?

posted by santojulieta to shopping (14 comments total)

An American Girl Doll?
posted by watercarrier at 2:42 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

A moleskine and some crayons.
posted by Theloupgarou at 2:52 PM on March 18

I am not sure what her parents are like, but if it's okay, I would bring, in addition to your other gift, some yummy, exotic American candy.
posted by milarepa at 2:53 PM on March 18

Sorry, I meant just any cute notebook and some crayons. I've had moleskine on the brain lately as a synonym for notebook.
posted by Theloupgarou at 2:54 PM on March 18

A PONY??? I kid, I kid. Packing them in your suitcase is wicked difficult.

What about a hands-on activity such as knitting needles and yarn? (don't laugh -- I have several friends who learned to knit at that age). There are relatively blunt, short needles meant for younger folk, and it would, if you know how to knit, give you a chance to spend some one on one time with her.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 3:03 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

some yummy, exotic American candy.

Jelly Bellies.

Also, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish. We brought these to a family we visited in France (of course, it was inspired in part by the fact that the family ran a fish shop) and the little kids in the house thought they were the coolest things.

In general I think most people would say that European candy is better than American (to me it's apples and oranges, but whatevs), but I really don't think there's a candy bean in the world that can match the Jelly Belly. Nor a fish-shaped cracker that beats a PFG.
posted by padraigin at 3:05 PM on March 18 [4 favorites]

The Bescherelle collection. (www.bescherelle.com)
french grammar and language rule books indispensable for any french student.
They've always been a staple in every Quebec school, and will remain for years to come

This specific bescherelle is a entry-level french grammar rule book for younger kids.
http://www.amazon.com/Bescherelle-Ecole-Orthographe-Conjugaison-Vocabulaire/dp/0785916881


This one is more advanced, just for verbs. it will be with her until she gets out of college. It'll never get old and will always be useful.
posted by PowerCat at 3:24 PM on March 18

American children's books. They'll be hard to get in France. Richard Scarry maybe? Bonus points if you manage to hit something the american parent loved as a kid.
posted by kjs4 at 3:26 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]

kjs4: "American children's books. They'll be hard to get in France. Richard Scarry maybe? "

If she's not fully bilingual, Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever! in both English and French.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:45 PM on March 18 [3 favorites]

Oh man, the Goldfish. The kids I nanny for eat them like they're made out of crack. They make colored ones, which are super weird to look at. There's something unnatural about purple cheesy crackers.

For a toy, I'd recommend My Little Pony. All girls everywhere love them. I had them as a kid and loved them. My German cousin had 'em and loved 'em. They also have MLP story books, which at least provide some kind of educational "cover" for the gift.

I've given the girls at work MLP dolls that I got from McDonald's happy meals and that day is like CHRISTMAS. Even in my jaded old age, I have to admit a sparkly purple pony with rainbow hair is pretty cute.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:10 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

If you're passing through JFK airport, you should see if you can find a foam Statue of Liberty hat. Not as your only gift, I guess, since it's a cheapie, but it's a fun thing. And it's also a French-American hybrid.
posted by thebazilist at 5:33 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

I don't know if they have a french equivalent, but my friend's children loooove Littlest Pet Shop toys. They are about $5 or $6 little bobble headed animals with large eyes. They are ridiculously cute and I've even bought one for myself (A cherry blossom panda). For a little more money they make a larger soft plush animal of some of the popular varieties. Available at most any big box store and online.
posted by CoralAmber at 6:55 PM on March 18

Littlest Pet Shop toys

Oh god, these things are like crack to my daughters (4 & 6). Avert your eyes from the Teeniest Tiniest Pet Shop playsets, which are like speedballs.
posted by padraigin at 8:27 PM on March 18

Eloise : The Ulitmate Edition, which includes Eloise in Paris.
posted by brujita at 9:12 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]