Francophile Gift Guide 2023
Santa baby, just slip a sablé under the tree for me…at least this is how I imagine the lyrics of this classic Christmas song would go for any Francophile! In fact, us Francophiles tend to have very good taste when it comes to the things we love to eat, wear, experience, or gift to others, and I think this 2023 Francophile Gift Guide proves exactly that!
Gifts Every Francophile Will Love
There are so many holiday gift ideas out there to choose from, including fabulous knit sweaters, beautiful perfumes, luxe skincare items, darling toys for tots, and more. The intention behind this post here is to share some items that I think those in love with France and French living will particularly enjoy.
Gifts for the Kitchen & Home
One of my favorite holiday items to collect each year is the Holiday in the City mug and plate set from Anthropologie.
Of course, I always grab the Paris ones but they also offer London, New York, Chicago, and Rome too.
Anthropologie also offers a popular bistro tile set of dishes, and it’s been fun to collect some of the pieces from that line over the past few years, including the cake stand and fromage stand.
If you’re looking for cookware to gift, look no further than the ultimate French cookware Le Creuset! While anyone would love a whole collection, I think that it’s more realistic and essential for any Francophile to at least own a classic 5.5 quart dutch oven.
Along those lines, the Williams-Sonoma Non-Stick Gold Touch bakeware set is a fabulous gift for those who don’t own that much bakeware but would like a quality, classic set to have on hand in their home.
On the topic of foodie gifts, I also recommend the Patisserie advent calendar from Williams-Sonoma for yourself or anyone who would appreciate one, as well as the Tour de France gourmet gift basket from WS.
A special gift for hot chocolate lovers are these darling chocolate trees that melt right into a pot of hot milk and heavy cream for rich and indulgent, French-style chocolat chaud.
For the tea lover, you can’t go wrong with a box of Dammann Freres tea in the Jardin Bleu flavor. It’s a black tea with some aromatic, fruity notes that perfectly represents one of life’s simple luxuries!
There are also a couple of great Parisian cookbooks to grab, including Sweet Paris by Frank Adrian Barron and In Love With Paris by Anne-Katrin Weber.
If you’re looking for beautiful coffee table books to add to the home or gift to someone, you’ll want to add Timeless Paris, French Blooms, and An American in Provence, if you haven’t already.
Some other lovely home gift ideas include the most adorable tree ornaments! Truthfully, I collect these for myself! There are Francophile classics like cheese ornaments and macaron ornaments, and then there is this new copper cookware ornament set that is so stinkin’ cute, I can’t get over it!
I will also add that, when in doubt, go for a luxe candle or festive gift set like these Diptyque holiday candles. They feel so special to receive, and if you throw in one of the gorgeous candle vases with it, well then you’re really going to win all the brownie points!
Gifts for the Fashionistas
While most people think of a French beret when they imagine a Parisian strolling about the cobblestone streets of the City of Light, I think it’s more realistic to imagine them in a classic, striped top.
Every Francophile deserves to have a marinière top, and this cozy sweater version is perfect for the winter season.
You can pair it with this chic Paris baseball cap for a casual chic, weekend look. I own the hat and love adding it to my outfits to the Farmer’s Market or Sunday morning bagels with friends; so cute and great for sunny days.
I also think you can never go wrong gifting a cashmere scarf to any Francophile. There’s nothing more luxe than cashmere, and of course nothing more chic than a fabulous scarf! This pretty, lilac one from Club Monaco is very elegant, but it also comes in lots of other colors if you have another preference.
If you really want to spoil someone (or yourself 😉), why not grab something extra special like this YSL leather wallet? It’s a great size and a premium quality item that is sure to last for years.
While we’re chatting about accessories, let’s discuss how diamonds, or really any jewelry to be honest, are a girl’s best friend. I won’t link to Harry Winston here (ha!), but instead I’ll suggest this pendant necklace, which can be customized for the recipient by choosing their initial.
If you’re looking to gift something that’s a little more budget-friendly, then a pair of chic earrings are always a smart move, or a statement piece like this croissant ring.
If you’re not sure whether your gift recipient will love your selection of jewelry, then a well-crafted yet totally adorable envelope keychain like this Je t’aime one from Sezanne is great as well.
I’m also a big fan of buying pajamas during this time of the year, and they’re not always holiday-oriented ones. I just think with all the holiday deals that are available, it’s smart to pick up some premium quality pjs that appeal to my Francophile senses like this Fields of Provence set from Petite Plume, or the brand’s Eiffel Tower printed set “Paris Musings.”
Gifts for the Beauty & Skincare Lover
I’m the biggest fan of Caudalie’s skincare items. They’re great for sensitive skin and made with clean ingredients. Three of my absolute favorites are in this trio gift set, including the detox mask, dark spot serum, and elixir spray for the perfect glow.
I’ve also included one of my most asked about lipsticks from Guerlain in the shade Floral Nude, as well as the Lancôme mascara I’ve been using for years (it makes lashes look so long and thick!), especially because the two-pack mascara set is such a great deal.
I love the Laura Mercier caviar sticks because they’re highly pigmented and easy to swipe onto the eyelids for daily use. This particular color trio is so, so pretty!
I also always seem to come back to my Laura Mercier touche éclat concealer pen. I love how handy it is to just throw into my bag, and it can make me look bright-eyed and awake in 2.5 seconds (I literally apply this on the plane as we land every time I travel international, and I look so fresh-faced when I get off!).
If you’re gifting someone who travels a lot like I do, then don’t forget to also throw in these Klorane eye patches. Because jet lag is a real struggle, I use these patches to help me de-puff the area underneath my eyes for the first few mornings after I’ve made a long distance trip.
I’m also always a fan of gifting a set of Laneige lip masks. As someone who struggles with chapped lips, the brand’s lip masks have been a total Godsend. It’s also a timely gift as we head into the winter season!
If you’d like to gift some deliciously scented products, then consider this almond body wash and lotion gift set from L’Occitane. It smells like yummy biscotti!
You can also make the Francophile in your life feel super luxe with my favorite perfume from Diptyque, Eau de Papier. This is actually a newer scent, released earlier this year, and it’s divine! It’s got the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and fresh. I always receive compliments when wearing it.
Gifts for Him
If you’re shopping for the male Francophile, then I have some chic suggestions for him as well.
I think most men can appreciate a nice leather belt, and I think something a little more understated like this Burberry one is really sophisticated. It’s not the typical Gucci or Versace branded ones, but it’s still a high-quality item with a touch of polished bling to really pull some black slacks and a knit sweater together for an elevated look.
I also think that, similar to gifting for women, cashmere is really a foolproof gift that the sophisticated man appreciates. This cashmere sweater from Everlane is a cult favorite and priced right.
Other ideas that are in line with classic Christmas gifts include a cozy, wool scarf from Sezanne and a well-crafted, leather card holder.
If the man you’re shopping for loves to travel, I always recommend something elegant and practical like this grooming kit. I think most men, Francophile or not, can appreciate quality grooming tools packed in a handy, all-in-one case like this one.
If he’s all about being well-groomed, then you may also want to pick up this popular cologne gift set by Dior called Sauvage.
If you’re looking to gift a really special gift this Christmas, then you can’t go wrong with a Swiss watch like this Tissot one. That’s a classic that will never go out of style!
Gifts for the Little Ones
Last, but certainly not least, we can’t forget the little ones in our lives! As is the case with adults, a set of Francophile-themed pajamas is always a great choice for kids, or a posh sweater like this Ralph Lauren polo bear one.
Puzzles like this pretty Paris one are also really fun and interactive, and timely as most kids are home from school for holiday break with plenty of time to spare.
As a kid, I also loved legos and certainly would have enjoyed this really cool Paris city lego kit!
For the little artiste in your life, why not pick up this Paris paint set so they can paint by numbers, or this Parisienne coloring book for the most darling scenes to fill in with their markers or crayons? I can’t tell you the number of hours I spent as a child painting and coloring!
I’ve also started a tradition of gifting one of my little cousins with a Claris book. She has this one and loves it! I’m also planning to get her this popular story book “Kylie the Crocodile in Paris” straight from the popular Paris podcast host Oliver Gee.
If you know your little one is into setting up tea time, then this cute Parisienne tea set is perfect. Perhaps she’ll have tea time with her new American Girl “World Traveler in France” doll in attendance!
Not to be forgotten are the little ones who love to participate in the kitchen (my favorite ones!) with this fabulous cookbook “In the French Kitchen with Kids,” designed with kids in mind!
I hope you’ve found something wonderful in this Francophile Gift Guide that catches your eye and makes its way under the tree for a loved one or yourself! 😉