This is not a parenting question but you all usually have such great answers. I need advice on what to give my father and his live in girlfriend for their birthdays coming up soon. Background: my parents divorced when I was 3 and my father went back to France where he is from. I saw him maybe 3 times from then until I went to France in my late 20's. We've seen each other twice since (I'm now 38). So this is not someone I am close to/know well. My mom passed away in 2007 and since then my father has really been trying. He has apologized for many mistakes he made, etc. He calls about once every other week and we email back and forth. We are both trying to get to know each other and establish a connection even if it can't be father/daughter. So...every birthday and Xmas I struggle with what to send him and his girlfriend (lovely woman he lives with but she speaks almost no English). He is 62 and she is somewhere around that age as well. I've sent pictures, flowers, art from the kids, photo books of our state, a webcam... But I am totally out of ideas now! You can't send food products to France so that's out (although I did find a company online that I ordered flowers/chocolates from but I've done that 4 times). This is someone I don't know well + the language barrier (he speaks English but he's very rusty) + the expense/problems with shipping overseas. Any suggestions?!?!?!
Thanks for the great ideas. I'm going to keep some on hand for upcoming gift occasions. For their March birthdays, I found a place that would make handmade bowls (like you would put your keys in). I got 2 in different colors and engraved "With love" in English on one and the same sentiment in French (I know someone that is fluent, thankfully) on the other. The place shipped them direct for me so it was very easy!
How about making a photo album/book with your kids pictures from somewhere like ShutterFly?
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books
They also have other great gifts and photos of your kids erases a language barrier.
You could send him your favorite DVD, book, CD - a collection of your favorite things to help him get to know you better. He would probably love the gesture, and may be surprised to find that you share the same interests (or maybe not, but would still be interested to learn what interests you).
Wow, I'm impressed with the items you have sent already and you could probably be giving us a few gift ideas for family members!!
Keep it simple...artwork by the kids, family pictures so he can see you all changing, your favorite movies, as they all have subtitles. How about a few English language cd's? Music.
How about a paperback book written in French. (or an old one: Le Arc
de Triumphe)
Get one of those cards you can record your voice & record a message in
French. If nothing else, write them a card in French (you can go to
Dictionary.com & they have a language translator....type what you want
to say in English choosing French as the language to be translated to
and............voila!
A puzzle (it can even be a picture of the kids). Gives them something fun
to do & it's a momento. Also, easy to mail.)
Go online to see if there is a grocery store in France w/a website you can order from & have their fave wine or cheese delivered to them.
Send them a small notebook of a few of your favorite recipes of "American" dishes
Personalized stationary
Nice fountain pen
Monorammed hand towels
Cozy lightweight blankets for each of them
Mini book lights that clip onto their books
