That little bag of Cali medical weed at the top there, that's a good idea! You'll find mostly hash in Europe. How are you going to get it through airport security, though?

I always bring See's Candy.

I'm originally from Georgia, so I would bring something with pecans in it (like a pecan roll) - yum. That or peach jam. I actually gave a housewarming gift recently that used Vidalia onions from Georgia!

interesting American magazines or cookbooks...Dwell, American Craft, Threads etc.
my brother lives in London, and asked for cans of green chile and craisins...fresh may be prohibited, but dried and canned is usually okay.

Nice re-useable shopping bags from your local stores.
CD of some local music.
I have not looked for it here in Canada but I think that Bay Spice mix is supposed to be good. Here we have Montreal Steak Spice and it is nice.

My mother always gives things that she likes herself without any thought about the recipient. It drives me nuts to be on the receiving end because while I appreciate the gesture and want to be grateful, the gift feels thoughtless in the end because it demonstrates that she didn't consider who I am. I think the key is to consider the recipient -- gifts should demonstrate that you appreciate them and not be a reflection of yourself.

I like the idea of giving something that's locally made and unavailable elsewhere. Here in the SLC, UT area, there's a vintner who makes unique wines from fruits other than grapes, including pomegranates and wild rose hips. I've sampled some and it's not amazing-blow-your-mind-great wine, but it is interesting and completely unique. Wine lovers are always intrigued.

Home-made gifts are especially thoughtful. I grew heirloom tomatoes this year and then made a really fabulous tomato "base" -- It can be thinned for a soup, used as is for a pasta sauce, reduced further and pureed with macadamias for a great pesto/spread, etc. I put a winter's worth in the freezer and would feel great about giving some as a gift with instructions for the variations mentioned.

Personally, I hate receiving soaps and bath salts -- I'm not a soak-in-the-tub type of person. I'd never give this type of gift unless I knew the recepient was ga-ga over stuff like that. On the other hand, I have dry skin and love great lotions. I'd give a very special, locally made and personally-tested lotion to someone whom I know uses creams and lotions as much as I do.

As far as things to bring back... when in Provence, bring back Nontron knives!! when it Venice, bring back Murano glasses or beads. When in Spain, bring back an embroidered and fringed shawl and make it into a dress, pillow, or table dressing. When in Vermont, bring back maple syrup. When in the middle east, bring back a rug if you possibly can.

When I'm going back to the East coast from Seattle, I bring Vivace espresso beans, even though I'm pretty sure you can order them online.

I'm not sure what it's like in France, but i grew up in Spain and fresh cilantro (an herb i love) is really hard to come by over there. When you do find it, it is the saddest little wilted bunch you could ever imagine at the most unreasonable price.
so.... maybe cilantro seeds and a cute pot to grow it in like these ones at fred flare: http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=2735&cat=316

in line with thursday's suggestion above, locally roasted coffee (like blue bottle) could also be a nice gift.

Coming back to Madrid after a visit to CA, I bring the in-laws peanut brittle from See's Candies, because they don't really have that here (there's gurlache, but it's just not the same). I also bring back some Asian stuffs, mostly for myself, but some teas or sauces. There are Asian import markets here, but frankly they all suck (compared to what's in CA) and things are just fresher in CA as there's a bigger market for that. And it is the same with Mexican stuff. There's just not nearly enough variety. I have no idea if it's the same in France.

Just because they might be able to order items internationally doesn't necessarily mean they do. I don't, but I go back to the States often enough where I can bring it back in my luggage.

Yes, imported goods make it difficult to get a host something that they couldn't just get themselves, but thats not the point, its that you are getting them something FROM you FOR them. There is thought and care, even if they could just pick up the same tin of gourmet cookies at the grocer's, they wouldn't be cookies from you!

in France, I love to go to hardware stores and the cosmetic sections of markets. You find all kinds of amazing gadgets with a uniquely European aesthetic at the hardware stores. I got a really lovely black rubber bowl that is pretty amazing and is a great centerpiece -- for like two Euros. At the pharmacies, you find really cool items like a coffee shower gel I LOVE (and am almost out of!) and great toothpastes.

Also, the Monoprix stores are a must-stop. If you find a big enough one, it'll have an apparel section and you find tanks and bras that are exactly identical to big-ticket Hanro and Cosabella, and the prices are one-third. They also have Petit Bateau stuff... actually, any French kids' store is a great place to get presents. Again, the aesthetic is so unique. See http://www.monoprix.fr/Aujourdhui/9jours/Mode-bebe.aspx
for cute baby stuff on sale this week for less than $20

If you go to a gift shop in ANY country, you will find the same ole gifty items and useless things. I like to go where a creative native shops.

I recently had this same dilemma. I usually bring German friends hot sauces and other Mexican food items since their selection is really poor. A selection of dried chiles are especially good because they're light and easy to pack. I'll usually bring back unique booze or small household items.

Recently AT suggested a fly swatter as a hostess gift, in all earnestness, too...does anybody remember that one?
Too funny!

I make felt toys and also paintings. Those are unique and local.

oh! on the Mexican theme, i am reminded that when i visited my friend in Sweden, he asked for cans of Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

mmmm. Vivace coffee beans. Whether they are shipped or not, they are good. I like to bring a bottle of wine from the region we live in...Sweet Cheeks Wine outside of Eugene, OR.

American brown sugar, vanilla extract (they use vanilla sugar there), and chocolate chips - all the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies that are difficult to find there. Then bake some and serve to him and his French host family. The French go mad for them and so do Americans abroad. Have fun!

Good Seasons' Italian dressing packets and a couple of the cruets you use to make it in.

My family friend in France is married to an agriculturist and is a cook book author who loves this product.

I think bringing wine made of something weird wouldn't go over well ion France.