Thank you all for your generous input- you really made me rethink my whole plan. I decided to go with a vintage Thun Swatch. eBay. He’s a well known Italian designer who did swatch when I was her age. And I loved it. Her parents will love it too.

Starbucks hot chocolate mix. Under armor gear.

All the same stores are in Europe (Disney store etc) so just go for something somewhat local.

American snacks, but no Hershey’s chocolate (gross).

Roflmao at the water bottle suggestions. Not saying it is a bad idea, I think it is a good idea and decent reusable water bottle selection is woefully lacking in Europe. It is maybe perfect bc it is a very American gift.

(Obviously people use water bottles in Europe, they just aren’t constantly walking around carrying whole hydration systems like the camelback.)

Games or books - things like Exploding Kittens or Llamas Unleashed, and for books find American authors which might be less popular there like Stuart Gibbs (Spy school, Charlie Thorne, etc). I have 9 and 11 yo kids and these are things we bring to our friends in Europe.

I would recommend getting her an American Girl doll if she's into that sort of thing. They are really expensive abroad. If she has outgrown dolls, maybe a new pair of shoes or a craft kit?

Anonymous wrote:Can you ask the family what she might like? My 10yo DD would like a skateboard, Lego or Rubiks Cubes. She would be happy with artsy stuff too but not first choice. Something American they can’t get there would be good but knowing what she’s into would be helpful.

How tf are you going to take a skateboard to Europe?

Anonymous wrote:Something American. Not random gifts that are nicer if you buy them in Europe. Just get some American candy and a t-shirt from your child's school.

A tshirt from your child's school? Nope. Snacks yes, but as an addition to a gift. I agree with the previous poster that said teens in Europe like the same things that American teens like. I have family in Brussels and in Madrid. When we travel, we bring a whole bag of stuff they ask us to purchase. For the teens it is always Nike hoodies, t-shirts and sneakers. But they have asked us to get backpacks, books, ipads, iphones, and we've brought earbuds so many times beats, bose, airpods etc. Everything is more affordable in the USA. I like the idea of a nice water bottle. Even if the 10-year-old doesn't play a sport, she can take it to school.

My husband's teen nephew came last summer. European teens basically like the same things teens like here. Please don't get them an american flag tshirt that they'll never wear.

Nephew basically bought tons of Nike stuff because it was cheaper here. He got tons of tshirts, sweatpants, socks, and AF1s, Jordans, cleats. Anything Nike is a great gift. He loved the Nike outlet. Backpacks are also a great gift. He bought a the Northface backpack because, once again, it was cheaper to buy it here. He also bought a North Face light rain jacket. He walks a lot and takes public transportation so he wanted a packable rain jacket. If she walks a lot, this would be a great gift. I would go with a basic color. For his GF he bought a bunch of stuff at Ulta (eye shadow palettes, perfume). I'm sorry, I don't remember exactly what he got for her. Does she play a sport? Even sport equipment is cheaper here. A nice volleyball or soccer ball would be great gift. Oh, and I almost forgot, water bottles!!! He plays sports and he loved my kids' water bottles. I think he wanted the Contigo ones, like the coffee ones, but when he saw the other ones he only wanted those. So he took one Stanley and one hydroflask.

I'd give a box of candy and snacks from Trader Joe's. The kids love tasting stuff from other places with their friends.

Something American. Not random gifts that are nicer if you buy them in Europe. Just get some American candy and a t-shirt from your child's school.

Can you ask the family what she might like? My 10yo DD would like a skateboard, Lego or Rubiks Cubes. She would be happy with artsy stuff too but not first choice. Something American they can’t get there would be good but knowing what she’s into would be helpful.

Fairy lights or vines to hang in her room, a fancy journal, some gum or candy from here, chapstick, agree with pp about embroidery floss for friendship bracelets. Make her a little package with a variety of items.

Mad Libs, string for friendship bracelets, journal.

Staying with the family.

Would like to bring something to her - she doesn't have pierced ears (unfortunately). I don't know her very well. Family is wealthy and i'm sure they have everything. TIA for any ideas -