Christmas gift ideas for Francophiles
Stuck for what to buy your favourite Francophile? We’ve gathered 29 gifts they are sure to love whether it is French wine, food, culture or travel they love
For French wine lovers…
Moët & Chandon Mini Cracker, £20
A small but perfectly formed 20cl bottle of either white or rosé Moët & Chandon champagne presented in a beautiful cardboard Christmas cracker-style package.
Les Petites d’Armand de Brignac Gold Brut, £125
Splash out on this limited edition petite bottle of Champagne Armand de Brignac Gold Brut presented in a hand-finished bottle with French Pewter label in an individual handcrafted wooden lacquered gift box. Available exclusively from Harrods.
Le Petit Ballon Wine, subscription from £74.70 for a three-month package
Two wines a month are selected by founding partner Jean-Michel Deluc, formerly head sommelier at the Ritz Paris, and delivered complete with tasting notes and magazine.
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Pimpernel Vin de France Coasters, £9 for box of six
An inexpensive and practical, yet stylish, gift that would cheer up any sitting room, dinner party or soirée. These wipe-clean coasters featuring pictures of vintage wine labels are heat- and stain-resistant and have cork backs to protect furniture.
La Bouclée Bicycle Wine Carrier, from €40
For the wine-loving cyclist, this innovative and beautifully crafted leather bottle holster, made in Saumur, might be just the thing. Simple, yet elegantly effective.
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert, £14.99
Written by master sommelier Richard Betts, this illustrated guide imparts useful wine knowledge at the same time as being fun and engaging, by means of 16 scratch-and-sniff extras.
For budding chefs…
French Cheese and Wine Map Tea Towel by Lucy Loves This, £10.50
Bon Appetit Apron by Old English Company, £18.50
A tea towel may not sound instantly like a desirable present, but this stylish, 100 per cent cotton version features a screen-printed map of France – using solvent-free inks – illustrating the most famous cheese and wine regions. Match it with this high-quality, 100 per cent cotton canvas apron that celebrates the French love of good food with a simple, fun motif. One size fits most.
Pâtisserie at Home, by Mélanie Dupuis and Anne Cazor, Harper Design, £38.59;
France the Cookbook, by Ginette Mathiot and Clotilde Dusoulier, Phaidon, £29.95.
A book is always a welcome gift and these cookbooks are sure to please any fan of French gastronomy. There’s the bonus of hopefully getting to taste the results too.
The ULTIMATE Cheese-Making Kit, £36
What could possibly be better than a gift of cheese? Perhaps being able to make your own. The kit contains everything needed (apart from milk) to produce 40 batches, and there is a choice of eight varieties.
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Marvellous Macarons Baking Class by Jenius Social, £75
Learn how to create perfect light and airy macaronsat this two-hour, chef-led course in north London. The hands-on tuition means there are tasty treats to take home after the session, too.
Valrhona Grands Crus Assorted Chocolate Ganache Gift Box, £18.95
The famous French company has been producing fine chocolate since 1922. This gift box is a beautifully presented selection of four ganache-centred chocolates, in both milk and dark flavours.
For travellers…
French Travel Book, by Amanda Hancocks, £13
Made in the UK, this spiral-bound travel scrapbook uses acid-free archival paper and is designed to be written in, or used for photos and mementos. It can also be personalised for that special touch.
FRANCE Calendar 2017, from £8.99
A visual feast of some of France’s most beautiful views and an everyday reminder of why we love the country so much. Take a look inside the calendar
FRANCE Magazine, Living France or French Property News subscription, from £11.50 for six issues
Why not treat a loved one to a regular supply of one of our France magazines? There’s something for everyone whether you are visiting on holiday buying a French property of planning to move to France.
www.giftsubs.co.uk/xgift or 01858 438 840 (quote CMMXS16A)
For lovers of French culture and language…
Slanguage, £6.99
An easy-to-use, illustrated and phonetically presented phrasebook that covers all the basics including how to ask directions, order food and even, worst-case scenario, cope in a medical emergency.
The François Truffaut Collection, DVD box set, £19.99
Charles Trenet Definitive Collection (Amazon edition), CD, £6.49
From La Merto New Wave, French music and film have long delighted the ear and eye. The gift of a classic cinema box-set or music collection is sure to be appreciated.
French Notecards by Door 77, £9
This set of eight A6 notecards features four different hand-drawn designs – Bonjour, Bonne Chance!, Félicitations and Mille Fois Merci– and comes with lavender-coloured envelopes. Perfect as a gift, or to say thank you for those received.
The French Box £29.99 (or £39.99 with an annual subscription to FRANCE Magazine)
A box of French delights with food, wine, a pair of tickets to January’s France Show in London and a gorgeous calendar. Available with or without a magazine subscription too.
www.thefrenchbox.co.uk or 01858 438 840 (quote CFRBOX1B)
For the home…
Diptyque Scented Candle, £42
Reflecting Parisian chic in the form of personal and home fragrances, Diptyque’s classic 190g candles burn for up to 60 hours, creating an individual ambience throughout the home with a huge choice of aromas.
Celia Lindsell French Linen Lavender Pillow, £25.95
Lavender Oil with Two Lavender Bags Gift Pack, £29.95
Created using highly scented lavender from the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux in Provence, these pillows and bags combine the relaxing and moth-deterrent properties of the much-loved herb with design-led charm.
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