Gift suggestions for Provençal hosts

Anything in the salsa line you could take?

VERRRY interesting idea! I'll check it out. Most of our really good local brands require refrigeration - but there certainly are some in jars, so I'll investigate. Thanks!

Really good wine is never coals to Newcastle. People who enjoy wine enjoy trying something new they can't get locally. If you are someone you know is knowledgeable about wines, that would be a great gift and it leaves a nice hole in your luggage for whatever purchases you want to bring back.

California native here.

Something I often bring as gifts for European hosts are copies of the Vintage Fruit Crate Labels. Folks tend to forget the State Of California was and is an agricultural entity. These gorgeous pieces of state’s history are unique pieces of artwork.

Since you live in SoCal head over to the Rose Bowl Flea Market next Sunday. You’ll find a vendor on the West side of the Stadium.

Janet’s idea of wine is right on. They will be very curious about this California bottle.

You may love salsa, but what are you going to do with it? They have Chi-chi’s and Old El Paso in the supermarkets. I’ve found that unless I bring tortillas, spice packets, and make a whole meal ( lentilles or refried beans, avocado, meat, rice) they really don’t know what to do with this spicy stuff. They don’t eat spicy.

But wine is a curiosity, something familiar but exotic from CA.

Other ideas: I also used to lug over 2-lb boxes of See’s as a gift from my parents to my in-laws. Everyone liked the variety and marveled at the size, though See’s can be pretty sweet. French chocolates are sold in much smaller boxes: 100 gr. 200 gr, and up.

Another very appreciated gift is the Hadley’s dried fruit. They don’t get that quality or quantity in dried fruit, and it’s expensive. You can buy excellent candied fruit in Provence but at a very high price.
California pistachios from Costco have also been a hit with French family and friends.

My French friends when visiting me in in US have taken home flavored pancake mixes, salad dressings (in plastic bottles) corn bread mixes, instant oatmeal, and Progresso Italian bread crumbs. They used to do Hazel nut coffee before that was widely available in France.

A good California wine is a great idea - you can buy these bubble wrap slack to pack it in- and on way back you can bring home a bottle of nice French wine - win win !

Unless it has to be food, you could look for a vintage California postcard, frame it, and present. It's like a mini-poster. Or a California themed Christmas ornament.

Vintage CA postcard

How about Medjool dates, especially the ones stuffed with walnuts. Yum!

We have brought to relatives in Italy: See's candy, Vera Bradley items (check the website for less expensive sale items), woolen scarves, dresser caddies, etc. I used to knock myself out looking for things made in America. Gave up on that when I saw that some of the gifts they've given us are not made in Italy. doesn't seem to be that important to them as long as you give them something.

I left medjool dates off my list because the French get the most incredibly delicious fresh dates, still on the branches in season. They’re available everywhere. Maybe it is less common in Italy. And Hadley’s out near Palm Springs has wonderful dates, but the dried fruit and pistachios are less available in France.

In France in places where there are many immigrants from the Middle East and N. Africa, pistachios and candied fruit are easy to find in the local ethnic markets. However, your hosts might not have access to those markets. The dates I buy in France are the very best as Bets says. Figs too.

Thank you for all the creative and interesting ideas... as well as the rebuttals ;-)...

As far as dates, nuts, fruits, etc...in addition to living in Provence, my hosts are very well travelled so can probably easily acquire all of those.

The fruit crate posters are a wonderful idea, but I think it's chancy to choose decorative art for someone else's place (where I have never been, so don't really know their taste)...

I don't want to shlep wine around France in my suitcase - trying to travel light and Provence is not first stop.

I think it's true that it doesn't need to be "American," nor does it need to be food. I might revert to the jewelry idea - or a nice scarf - but I do appreciate the input! Also, perhaps I'll see something interesting in Paris that, while not unusual to my hosts, will make a good hostess gift. Or even a bottle of wine if we stop at a winery along the way.

Thanks all!