December is upon us and the yearly holiday-shopping marathon has begun. If you’re searching for gifts that are classically Parisian without being kitschy, check out our list of products in all price ranges made in the Paris region to put a taste of the French capital under the Christmas tree this December.
The 3-D “Geography Cards” crafted by Erik Rehl, portable artworks in an envelope, are among the original and reasonably priced holiday gifts created by a group of Paris artists associated with the Cinémorphe immersive theater collective. December 18-23, 10 Rue Bichat, Paris. From €5.
If you’re buying for green-fingered friends, Pépins Productions, a Paris association for “urban gardeners,” offers a range of plants from organic farms at affordable prices through its website. The products add a touch of green to Paris’s built-up environment. From €3.
If iconic Paris symbols are what you’re looking for, Atelier Lejeusne’s range of Eiffel Tower stationery is for you. Spiral-ring notebooks, envelopes and other items are available on the website, and the tasteful designs are worlds away from the touristy souvenirs found elsewhere. From €12.
4. Versailles-inspired home decor
The Château de Versailles sells various accessories inspired by the Queen’s House tapestry on display in the palace. Made in collaboration with Bilum, a French company that uses recycled materials, these interior decorations are both chic and eco-friendly. From €10.
For a champagne lifestyle on a budget and a touch of class during the holiday season, Prunier Paris is offering a 15-gram tin of “Caviar Siècle” (Century Caviar) for €15 and an 80-gram tin for €80. The tin reproduces the original packaging from the company’s first caviar, dating from 1921.
Sweet treats infused with Parisian culinary history can be found in Angelina’s online store. The world-famous Paris tearoom sells a range of gifts that cannot be found elsewhere, including their famous hot chocolate and tins that make lovely keepsakes. From €10.
Le Bijou Parisien’s French-made sweatshirts, T-shirts and other apparel feature the iconic designs of the Paris Métro and are sold in Galeries Lafayette and online. Visit their website for a sale on certain products. From €36.
Maison Tamboite has been making handcrafted French bicycles in Paris for over a century. Classic, hybrid and electric versions of these handsome two-wheelers are available. Prices available on request through the website.
9. Parisians’ favorite accessory
A scarf is no longer the gift of the unimaginative when it comes from Fulaar’s collection of top-quality scarves in various patterns. This classic French accessory is the ideal gift for someone yearning for something Parisian. From €200.
The adorable and ergonomic “Puck” knife, first-prize winner of the 2018 “Fabriqué à Paris” label for manufactured goods, was designed by Paris knife-maker Charles Ballerait. Inspired by a Marvel Comics super-hero, it has a carbon-steel blade and a handle made of pruned branches from the paulownia tree (pictured on the 100-franc bill behind the image of Eugène Delacroix) that grows on Paris’s Place de Furstenberg in Saint Germain des Prés, in front of Delacroix’s home and studio. From €300.
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