Gift Guide For The Francophile -2021
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Is there someone in your life who’s obsessed with all things French? It could be a mom, sister, cousin, girlfriend, BFF, wife, or even yourself!
I’m a Francophile myself so you can be sure that all of these Francophile gifts will be a huge hit. All of this s'il vous please!!!
These make for some beautiful gift ideas sure to please every self-proclaimed bon vivant and beret enthusiast on your Christmas list. Francophile or not, though, who wouldn't enjoy receiving any one of these precious items?!!!!! You don’t have to live in France to love France. A Francophile is just someone who admires France. Many of my absolute favorite products are French or exude qualities of the French lifestyle. Here are a handful of my favorites this season many which I own and love and definitely adding the other items to my personal holiday “ nice-list”
Y a-t-il quelqu'un dans votre vie qui est obsédé par tout ce qui est français ? Cela pourrait être une mère, une sœur, une cousine, une petite amie, une meilleure amie, une femme ou même vous-même ! Je suis moi-même francophile, vous pouvez donc être sûr que tous ces cadeaux francophiles seront un énorme succès. Tout ça s'il vous plait !!! Ceux-ci font de belles idées de cadeaux pour plaire à tous les bons vivants autoproclamés et amateurs de bérets sur votre liste de Noël. Francophile ou pas, qui n'aimerait pas recevoir l'un de ces précieux objets ?!!!! Il n'est pas nécessaire de vivre en France pour aimer la France. Un francophile est juste quelqu'un qui admire la France. Beaucoup de mes produits préférés absolus sont français ou respirent les qualités du style de vie français. Voici une poignée de mes favoris cette saison, beaucoup que je possède et que j'aime et qui ajoutent définitivement les autres articles à ma « belle-liste » de vacances personnelles.
Opinel Bon Appetit + Steak Knives - Set of 4- Bon Appetit plus steak knives are great for everyday table use. They steak knives are machine washable and their micro-serrated blades will never dull. These are the perfect modern steak knives, they come in sets of four. I love these and think they compliment anyone’s decor along with any flatware they already have! A steak needs a proper knife! The Opinel company has manufactured and marketed a line of eponymous wooden-handled knives since 1890 from its headquarters in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie, France where the family-run company also operates a museum dedicated to its knives. The company sells approximately 15 million knives annually
THE BEAUTY OF TIME TRAVELS- This book answers a fundamental question: how to reinvent an old brand and anchor it in the 21st century? The epic of the Officine Universelle Buly, refounded in 2014, updates treasures in order to bring them back to the present. A true manual on the reinvention of an old brand, it describes French know-how, this legendary magic that the whole world envies. It traces the great moments of the Officine: from 1803, date of its creation by Claude and Jean-Vincent Bully, haloed with glory and medals for their creation of Vinegar de toilette, until today with the recognition and to the innovations that bring the brand into the 21st. Talk about a journey through time! I love Officine Universelle Buly so much! Wrote about them in Jan of 2021 and just love everything they create! I have not been able to put this book down since getting it a week ago!
Paris by Night Gift Bag Limoges Box-Handmade handpainted porcelain collectible box from France has brass fittings and a decorative Eiffel Tower brass fastener. The box holds a miniature champagne bottle.All Limoges boxes arrive in a signature gift box with a certificate of authenticity. Artfully and colorfully hand painted by premier artists using many of the same techniques that were used during their introduction in the 17th century. Steeped in history, Limoges boxes feature exquisite designs, superior workmanship, and the ultimate attention to detail.
French Lessons With The Belatone App- Learning French with Belatone App. Europe is beginning to welcome us back again with open arms so now is the perfect time to start practicing learning that foreign language! And Belatone App is unlike any language App I have ever experienced! Not only will you learn vocabulary but with Belatone you can gain conversational fluency and also learn it quicker with their self-paced, intuitive language lessons. Another major plus of this app is you can practice with native speakers 24-7! With this App I can learn at my own pace but also build fluency speaking with native speakers. ( Not instructors- just buddies really) This is the reason many will travel abroad to interact with locals and get a chance to practice conversations. This App enables this from the comfort of your home! Another super neat feature of the App is you can share your native language with the world! Help others practice and learn what you speak on a daily basis. Benefit from others, but also share your knowledge with the world to reciprocate. Get paid for just conversing! See more about my testimonial with this app here.
A Trip To Provence From The Comfort Of Your Own Sofa- I so adore a beautiful subscription box that transports me somewhere else! I so love giving subscription boxes as gifts too because they are truly the gift that just keeps on giving. Discovering a single item that truly encompasses how much you care can be quite difficult. Whether it’s for their birthday or a holiday or it’s a simple token of gratitude, one way to guarantee you’re giving them something they’ll enjoy is by presenting them with a gift that keeps on giving. Translation: Invest in a themed subscription box they can be excited about for months to come. And imagine a subscription box that transports you to Provence without even leaving your own sofa! Insert Best French Forever™. Read more about my experience With La Box here. And reserve your holiday La Box now. Cynthia is bringing a touch of Provence to your celebrations. La Box Hiver 2021 (Holiday Edition) La Box Holiday Edition will invite you (or the French lover in your life) to slow down and reflect on what’s dearest to your heart during this joyful season. It will join you as you set up your decor, dress your festive table and welcome your guests from out-of-town. You can also pick - Wellness à la française- Gift yourself or the French lover in your life a moment of self-care, the French way. A relaxing experience curated to remind yourself that la vie est belle, and so are you. La Box Wellness includes: organic lavender eye pillow by Les Perlettes, calming candle by Les Choses Simples, divine hand cream by Rose et Marius, an open journal designed by yours truly, and a reading of French poetry to help you unwind.
Or pick Art de la Table for the hostess with the “mostess”, the women in your life who loves to welcome guests in her home. This gift box will help her add a Provençal touch to her kitchen and dining table.
La Box Art de la Table includes: handmade olive wood board and salad spoons by Bois et Traditions, award-winning olive oil by Chateau d’Estoublon, traditionally printed tea towel by Olivades, handmade soap on a rope by Les Choses Simples, and a surprise recipe from Provence
Atelier Paulin Jewelry- Like a tattoo, Atelier Paulin rings hold an intimate message that is strongly linked to you. Each ring corresponds to a letter, Initials or words, let your creativity reign. Their are so many other various options too -earrings, necklaces, bracelets ….I have them linked here. French designer Anne-Sophie Baillet teamed up with longtime friend Matthias Lavaux to create Atelier Paulin, a line of handcrafted jewelry that spells out endearments, bon mots and moods . Each of their pieces is made-to-order in a Parisian workshop by a team of skilled artisans, and is designed to be a treasured piece for years to come! They are soooo very special!
Nouvelle Vague Album-French cover band Nouvelle Vague’s self-titled debut album contains a collection of bossa nova, lounge, and easy listening tracks—all of which were initially written during the post-punk/new wave era. (Examples include Joy Divison’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and The Clash’s “Guns of Brixton.”) The perfect soundtrack for a night of red-wine fueled cooking, this CD—which comes in vinyl and MP3 versions, too—is an excellently priced gift for the Francophile or music lover in your life.
Paris Chic- Paris is the city of chic—and as such, its innate style shines throughout the city, even in the simplest spaces. Quaint bistros, picturesque alleyways, artists’ studios and unique characters are elevated to a modern-day genre painting when set in Paris. From skateboarders to antiquarians, this volume is a glimpse into Parisian life, as if peering over the edge of the balcony at your own pied-a-terre. Collaboratively, author Alexandra Senes and photographer Oliver Pilcher open the doors to some of the most sophisticated homes in Paris, sharing an intimate portrait of various families. The quiet, daily moments of Parisian life are eternalized through Pilcher’s lens. Monuments don’t make a city; the people do. This book can be gift wrapped too! ohh-la-la!
Byredo Baudelaire Eau De Parfum Spray- Named after French poet Charles Baudelaire, this fragrance was inspired by his most famous poem, Les Fleurs du Mal, which depicts the modernization of Paris in the 19th century. Notes of juniper berry, caraway, and black amber are reminiscent of Parisian markets from the age of industrialization. P.S. This is unisex so gift for you-gift for him.perhaps?!
Opinel Parallele 5 Piece Chef Knife Set with Block- As you know, food is a big thing in my life – it is practically my life. One of the undeniably best places to eat in the world is right at home. And for ‘just a home cook like me’ knives hold a special mystery when it comes to chefs and the art of cooking. Knives are the most important and personal part of a chef”s tool kit. So much so that chefs take their knives with them from job-to-job like a photographer would their camera. All the blades on Opinel knives and tools have been stamped with The Crowned Hand . In 1565, King Charles IX of France ordered that every master cutler affix an emblem on their manufactured items to attest to the origin andquality. Recalling this tradition, Joseph Opinel chose the Crowned Hand as his emblem in 1909. The hand represents the blessing of Saint John the Baptist, taken from the coat of arms of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the nearest town in Albiez-le-Vieux, the birthplace of the Opinel family. Joseph Opinel added a crown as a reminder that Savoie was a duchy. AND SOME MORE BRAND FACTS: MoMa NY 1986- Opinel is included in the museum’s collection list of iconic objects. 1989-Opinel made it into the French dictionary to describe a folding knife with wooden handle. And they use 100% of the wood shavings produced while shaping the handles to heat their workshops and office
Opinel’s Parallele Knife Sets come with a beautiful contemporary beech wood knife block to safely store your knives while not in use. Choose from a set which includes the famous bread knife, or the boning knife if you often trim large pieces of meat. It's the perfect knife set for home cooks looking to upgrade their chef knives and increase their cutting quality. The half-tang knives feel comfortable in your hand and inspire confidence while perfecting your cutting abilities. I love Opinel so much which you can see here.
vol.6 Paris Croissant Map x vol.9 Paris Hot Chocolate Map- The Paris Croissant Map is written, researched and photographed by Yuriko Yamamoto who is a pâtissière also European pastry researcher. It features 34 of very best Paris croissants. Includes a brief history of croissant and plus a special glossary of Viennoiserie. Grab one and snacking your way through the city of light!!! The Paris Hot Chocolate Map— is the second collaboration with Yuriko Yamamoto. It features 30 of very best Paris Hot Chocolates. Includes a brief history of chocolat chaud and plus two recipes of make your own Hot Chocolate ! Grab a pair of Hot Chocolate Map and Croissant Map for your next trip to Paris !!!
LUXURY SPARKLE TASSIN BRUT ROSÉ CANDLE- Originating from the Champagne region of France, this scented candle will fill your space with beautiful fragrance and create a wonderful ambience. Handmade and poured in Grasse, the parfum capital of the world with all natural and luxurious ingredients. Candle features pure natural wax, pure cotton wick and is scented with original parfum. (Chérie - Exquisite blended fragrance of jasmine & fleur de tiaré) Approximately 70 hour burn time too! and comes in a beautiful luxurious high quality box! It also comes with a high quality gold lid to protect your candle. The beautiful high quality lead-free and polished lid will protect the superior wax from dust settling on your candle surface which can cause burn problems and a dulling of the scent. See one of their beautiful candles in action here… It’s a whole mood!
LA TOMETTES BY MARIE-SOPHIE MAURY-La Tomette was born from a day of gardening and a period of overwork that made this artist want to associate the tomette with essential oils. The old Tomettes at the bottom of the garden, like traces of the past, of a buried life… like our emotions. She then embarked on the long journey of learning the close link between essential oils and energetics before linking it to the paths of life. La Tomette is a path towards oneself and a means of expressing one's feelings. For those who don’t know, la tomette is also originally a key floor tile used in the Provençal architecture. Marie-Sophie Maury gave it a twist and made it a precious home decor item! You can put it on a wall, use it as a coaster or even as a gentle essential oil diffuser. The applications are endless! And she can personalize these for you for your gifts! Drawing, words, quotes, footprints…get creative! Take 10% off your order using promo code GOFRENCH10
French Santa Glitter Ornament- A charming addition to the tree, this French Santa ornament is handcrafted of mouth-blown glass and hand-painted by artisans in Poland. It’s so beautiful and festive!
Cristel Strate 13 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set- Brushed finish, detachable handles from Strate collection. A must have in the kitchen, Strate Stainless steel 13 Piece Set contains:
2 qt Saucepan + lid
3 qt Saucepan + lid
7.5 qt Stockpot + lid
11” frying pan
3.5 qt Sauté pan
2 Long Handles
2 Side Handles
The detachable handle system provides the ability to nest cookware vessels to save space in drawers, cabinets and in the dishwasher. Thanks to the efficiency of their Cristel L Shape thermo-diffuser base, compatible with induction, the Strate Detachable handle system fits all kitchen sizes and will be a valuable ally for all your culinary preparations. Practical, the detachable handle system makes it possible to transform your stainless steel vessel into a serving dish by replacing the long handle with side handles. Strate cookware, is made of stainless steel 18/10, preserves the taste of your food and is easy to clean after cooking. Certified Made in France. Lin got me this cookware last holiday and I am so in love with it! You can see all my past Cristel articles here.
Brasserie Pleated Ramekins, Set of 6- Décor featuring vintage French menus transports you instantly to the sidewalk cafes of Paris. Oven, freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe. Set of 6. French Savoir-Faire: Expertly crafted in Mehun-sur-Yevre, France; Pillivuyt has been perfecting the art of porcelain-making for over 200 years. Made from materials sourced in France and greater Europe, each dish is crafted with care and fired at 2550 degrees Fahrenheit resulting in porcelain that is of the highest quality. Pillivuyt's extraordinarily hard glaze is resistant to chipping, scratching, cracking and crazing.
Timeless Paris - by Marin Montagut -Artist and designer Marin Montagut takes readers inside twenty of his favorite quintessentially Parisian locations, seemingly untouched by time, that provide rich creative inspiration. Discover the studios and shops where artisans handcraft and sell exquisite items on-site in charming Parisian locations where the skill has been passed on for decades—or centuries—of continuous operation. These often-hidden gems provide unique details that will inspire designers, artists, and creatives of all stripes. To source the unique elements that can define the character of a room, clients—such as the Metropolitan Museum—have ordered custom decorative curtain tassels from Passementerie Verrier since 1753. A visit to Boiseries Féau can transform even the humblest apartment into a château interior with a restored carved door or elaborate molding. A la Providence and its array of hardware and fittings from every decorative period is a home renovator’s heaven. Revel in
the city’s artisanal traditions; this book is a vibrant source of inspiration in twenty quaint, timeless spaces.
Paris Music Box- Elegantly designed musical box features the famous and iconic Eiffel tower, and a magnetic car circling around while the music is playing. This cute Eiffel Tower musical box is approximately measured: 5.8"x4.2"x4.2". CRAFTED, LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE - Made from quality wood, this box is lightweight and portable to be placed as a decorative piece yet a fully functional nice little musical box. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen and it is so affordable!!! This was in last year’s gift guide and I just had to include it this year too!
Large Butter Tray with Cover, European Style- Add a touch of European flavor to your kitchen with Pillivuyt's Classic European style covered butter tray. It’s made in France and is just exquisite! Expertly crafted in Mehun-sur-Yevre, France; Pillivuyt has been perfecting the art of porcelain-making for over 200 years. Made from materials sourced in France and greater Europe, each dish is crafted with care and fired at 2550 degrees Fahrenheit resulting in porcelain that is of the highest quality. Pillivuyt's extraordinarily hard glaze is resistant to chipping, scratching, cracking and crazing.
PAPIER D'ARMENIE ARMENIE-Older than the Eiffel Tower, Papier d’Arménie was born in Paris in 1885 as a result of the experiments of a chemist and a scientist. The idea came from a travel to Armenia, country where the benzoin resin, derived from the bark of trees – the major ingredient of the booklet – was used to purify the air. Incense, myrrh, woodsy, and vanilla scent, created in 2006 by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian.
INSTRUCTIONS: 36 strips to Burn : Tear off a strip, fold it like an accordion, light it and blow out the flame so that it burns slowly without flame. Leave it on a heat proof dish. Try it with one or two strips in a closed room. Repeat if needed. It can also be used without burning it to perfume cupboards and drawers.
French Wine Subscription- Their family and wine experts in France delve into hundreds of handcrafted wines to truly discover the best and most reflective wines of their particular region. somMailier is the only wine club in the US 100% dedicated to French wines (and not just Bordeaux wines but wines from every wine producing region in France including the Rhone Valley, The Loire Valley, Alsace, Provence, Languedoc Roussillon, etc.). YOU CHOOSE You decide whether you want to receive 3 or 6 bottles every shipment (or for a certain number of shipments if for a gift….) So love the idea of a monthly wine club as a gift. It’s something many people may not do for themselves, but would thoroughly enjoy! You then select what type of wines you’d like to receive (reds, whites or a mix). It’s that simple. I recommend the C’EST LA VIE. So excited that somMailier has given me a promo code for GFY readers so please use promo code GFY10 for 10% off your first shipment when you join the French wine club and use code GFY5 for all orders through their wine cellar and on gift orders (excludes gift cards).
CRÉATIONS DE PARIS STATIONERY SET, NICE BLUE- Deckle edge note cards in a very nice blue. Write your thank you notes with style AND joie de vivre! Matching these with the perfect stamp is going to be so fun. A set of 25 cards and lined envelopes made by a Parisian stationer who’s been at it since 1931. This stationary set also comes in other colors including pistachio green, neon green, and a gorgeous soft cotton candy pink. Catbird always offers lovely gift options!!
Le Marais Assorted Pastry Sampler-Since opening in 2013, Le Marais Bakery in San Francisco has wowed customers with authentic French croissants that transport them to Paris with every flaky, buttery bite. Now you can enjoy a sampling of Le Marais' finest at home, frozen and ready for baking in your own kitchen. Served warm from your oven, they offer a delicious taste of the bakery's favorites and make a wonderful spread for breakfast or brunch. The assortment includes: Au Beurre Croissants: Classic French croissants handmade with buttery, 12-layer dough that bakes to a flaky golden finish with a silky-soft interior. Chocolate Croissants: Rolled pains au chocolate filled with two batons of dark Valrhona chocolate from France. Almond Croissants: Croissants baked with almond cream filling and top crust, sprinkled with sliced almonds. Kouign-Amann Batons: Swirled croissant sticks filled with a rich vanilla buttercream.Chocolate Kouign-Amann: Caramelized croissant cups with a Valrhona chocolate brownie-like filling.Pain aux Raisins: Croissant swirls filled with vanilla pastry cream and rum-soaked raisins. They are shipped frozen too and can be put in the freezer upto 3 months! And the box they come in is sooooo adorable!!! They are in my freezer right now!
The Parisian Reds - Pink Lipstick Set- The Parisian Reds Refillable lipstick set includes the Pink Fine Leather Lipstick case from the Métiers d'Arts Collection with the true fire matte red Rouge Vendôme refill and the Red Lip Balm for elegant red lips. Renowned for their luxe - and refillable - lipsticks, La Bouche Rouge Paris fuses artisanal French craftsmanship with nourishing ingredients to achieve a decadent finish. Their sustainable edge doesn’t end at refills, the brand is also proudly committing to plastic-free packaging, electing to craft for-life cases made from upcycled leather offcuts that hail from the Tanneries du Puy in France – the very same that Hermès work with (it doesn’t get chicer than that…) As for the lipsticks, there’s a Matte Lipstick in ‘Le Rouge Chloë’ (a tribute to actor Chloë Sevigny’s signature reddish-orange shade) and a Satin Lipstick in ‘Le Rouge Anja’ (an intense and dramatic garnet red that speaks of Hollywood’s golden age). Though their finishes differ, each formula is enriched with vegan, serum-like ingredients - such as hand-harvested, age-defying seaweed from St Suliac, France - that protect and condition your lips so the colour can take centre stage.
Merde Il Pleut Collapsible Umbrella- This hysterical umbrella is bound to put a smile on any Francophone's face. It’s emblazoned with the words ‘merde il pleut,’ which translates to ‘shit, it’s raining.’ I get so many compliments on mine! Comes in so many colors too!
A YEAR IN PARIS 2022 CALENDAR BY REBECCA PLOTNICK- Rebecca from The Everyday Parisian had been asked for years to create a calendar and she finally had the time . She wanted a way to dream of Paris in 2022 for you. The calendar measures 5.5" x 8.5" and will be bound with a black wire and easy to hang on the wall or lean on your desk. Each month is a different photo that measures 5x5. At the end of the month, you can cut the image and frame it. The large calendar measures 8.5"x11" and each photo cut measures 8x8. Her photography is so beautiful and this is just the perfect gift!!
Happy gifting!!! Find stocking stuffers for Francophiles here! And you can find some lovely French products in my Beauty Junkie Gift Guide!!!
