Gift idea for a French family

One of my girls is going to France at the end of the month for a 6 week exchange with a French family. Their daughter stayed with us earlier this year for 6 weeks. When she arrived, she had a couple of thoughtful gifts for us from her parents. They sent some foie gras and a local ceramic thing (my wife is a ceramicist, so they had done their homework). We need to send some gifts over, but I'm stumped for ideas.
The gifts can't be too heavy or bulky, because my daughter has a 23 kilo limit on an internal flight. They need to be Australian, without being naff - they're both lawyers.
Scott

 

There's a place in Balmain which sells specific Australian made products. Mrs No Mates bought some for lil' No Mates trip to China.

Australian Gifts & Souvenirs. The Best Unique Gifts Australia Made

 

Something made of Australian wood a bowl or small box.

 

A nice photographic calendar for next year depicting australian landscapes would be nice. My Mum always takes those and a photo book but they tend to be a bit heavier.
I probably wouldn't take food so she doesn't have to declare anything on arrival.

 

Food, or other stuff?
I had the idea of sending a bottle of good Australian wine, but the response to that idea was, 'A bit heavy, dad. And they have a winery.'

 

@Depreciator - see the link (just added after I remembered it's name).

They've got all sorts of gifts including calendars, Vegemite samplers, tote bags, earrings, ties, Aboriginal print bags etc.
Australian Gifts & Souvenirs. The Best Unique Gifts Australia Made

 

I could knock up something in my shed.

 

Lots of stuff in the Balmain store. I might have to brave the Balmain weekend traffic.
I like the idea of a calendar, Westminster. I could find one of them in the city.

 

When my DD was billeted in the USA I sent vintage Australian linen tea towels and a tablecloth and Australian lollies, Minties, Fantales etc. you can get beautiful vintage pure linen tea towels depicting Australian landscapes in the op shop, un used. Or, really good quality t shirts or a tasteful merino wool throw?

 

Tasteful tea towels are a good idea.

 

If you have good woodworking skills a hand made gift is the best.

My Uncle used to make very high quality turned bowls, candle stick holders pens etc That is what made me think of a, wood gift

 

I'd probably keep it simple and functional/usable - a small collection of Tim Tams, Vegemite (but it could be wasted if they dont like it), Anzac biscuits, Kangaroo jerky, Australian organic chocolate like Green and Black's, the aussie Calendar, and maybe a pair of Uggs (not cheap though).

 

Not sure what France's quarantine rules are like. If it's like ours, they may confiscate it.

 

People used to bring naff wooden carvings from Bali all the time. Quarantine just inspects for signs of insect damage. I have brought wood back from US without problem

 

If you have an Australian Geographic store near you they have great calendars and you might find something else you like there
Calendars and Diaries Archives - Australian Geographic

 

I haven't spent any time in France outside of ski holidays, but I've lived extensively all over the world. I'd not recommend the usual Australian sweets and Tim Tams, and especially not Vegemite. European chocolate is miles ahead of most stuff you find in Australia, and Vegemite is like a novelty gag gift that nobody overseas in their right mind would eat. I say this because every time I've come back from an Oz visit with Australian biscuits or sweets, nobody is impressed. The last load of biscuits that I brought back to the office 2 months ago hasn't been finished, and I ate half of them. Vegemite has such a bad rap overseas that nobody from any office I've ever worked in will touch it.

The self-made wooden bowl idea sounds perfect. It's much more personal than buying something from a shop, and even better if made out of a wood native to Australia.

European quarantine concerns are practically nonexistent compared to Australia.

 

If they haven't caught the disease over there, it doesn't exist. Customs clearance in the EU is alot easier than here.

 

My kids take Tim Tams etc overseas when they travel, but they are invariably given to other kids. And kids are kids the world over. My wife will have something she has made in her studio - cheese plate, perhaps. There is a good calendar on the Aust Geo site - I don't think they have shops anymore.

 

If you do have some wood turning skills then I saw something very similar at my local markets which was made out of Jarrah. It's a collapsible wooden basket

Collapsible fruit basket with apple design,wood basket, apple wood basket, apple collapsible wood basket,foldaway fruit basket,telescopic

 

As long as it's a great quality wine, I'd suggest that would an ideal gift for a winery owner.

I agree that Tim Tams are always a solid choice. Maybe not in Europe but definitely in the USA. Adults seem to like them more than the kids.