What would be an apporpriate gift for a French homestay family?

So I take it you are still at home and will be meeting the family in France in about a week...

If you are American, my advice would be to bring something that is indicative of your home state or your region. I am from Kentucky, and I brought my host family a large coffee table book full of beautiful pictures of the area. It gave me a frame of reference the first day or so when I was talking about where I was from.

I also brought them a bottle of Makers Mark bourbon. Most people in France drink some alcohol, so it's fairly safe they will use it (and almost guaranteed that they at the very least won't be offended and will display the bottle on a shelf). Pack alcohol in your checked luggage... well bundled!

Other options might be something from a local chocolatier or bakery, a framed picture of a landmark from your town, an afghan, throw, or fragrant candle from a local boutique, a cookbook of regional American dishes, etc.

You can impress French folks with food, good local food. They love food in France and will likely be extra picky about any non-French food, but if you know of some local shop that sells some killer delicious candy or something like that, then go for it. Or anything that food can be served in.

make a christmas pudding

A french wine of course

French gateau can also be gifted

Do take these money saving coupons with you that are offered for free by this website when going for shopping for the french gifts

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A loaf of french bread or a McDonald's certificate and a note telling them to go eat some french fries

red wine?