Christmas Gift Idea for Paris

Give them some euros and tell them to have a nice lunch.

Your $50 would translate into about 30 euros (even less if you had to do the exchange in the States), so I would get them a little something rather than “buying” them euros to take to Paris. How about treating them to a concert at Ste. Chapelle (http://www.classictic.com/en/Special/Concerts-in-La-Sainte-Chapelle). Or maybe a wine tasting (http://www.o-chateau.com/select-your-tasting.php). If nothing else, a river cruise would be a very good and safe option, however, your budget would not be enough for a dinner cruise (not worth it anyways), so only do a regular river cruise.

How about giving them money to pay for a Paris Walks tour along with a print out of the Paris Walks schedule? We really enjoyed our tour of Pere LaChaise cemetery and there are many, many interesting tours they can do. They don't need reservations and they can always decide to do something else if they want. The tours are 12 Euro per person.

I was going to suggest a concert in a church too. Unfortunately, the concert we saw in St. Chappelle this fall cost way more than 30 euros.

Maybe the best thing would be some kind of gift card that they could use for a meal. I always feel like it's tacky giving someone cash. But perhaps if you got them euros and wrapped it creatively, it would be nice. That way they would have some cash when they land.

Corrin, check with them if they each have a money belt and if they've read the Rick Steves guide book for Paris. These items might make a good early going-away gift. Actually, I agree with the other posters about Euros. Get some from your bank (you have to order them in advance) put them in a pretty card and say to have nice lunch in Paris and think of the family while they're enjoying it or something like that.

It might be tacky to give someone cash but it is never tacky to receive it.

I'm with you Norma!

Hi Corrin,
What a nice idea! We ran into the same dilemma for my in-laws. After scouring the web for Paris gift cards and such, we eventually came to the conclusion Norma suggested: euros. It was just too hard to try to pay in advance for a tour or a meal. So we gave them 50 euros, made them a reservation at a restaurant we like, and gave them a printout of the restaurant's website. It wasn't a perfect solution, but a good backup if you can't find a way to prepay for a tour or cruise. Or, you could contact their hotel and pay for a bottle of champagne to be sent to their room. I'm sure they'll appreciate your gesture,whatever it is! I'd love to hear if anybody knows of a way to buy a tour for someone...that's a fantastic gift!