Souvenir de la Malmaison would be my first choice since it's beautiful, fragrant and a great rebloomer. It forms a handsome bush which for me has been almost disease-free and has tolerated a lot of heat here. Will you be ordering from the Antique Rose Emporium? They have the largest own-root roses (as they claim) and should give the best results. The five I ordered from them recently are all doing very well. Ingrid

One thing you might think about is a gift for grandma. I found a flannel print with "Grandma" written on it and have had a receiving blanket made for all my friends who are becoming grandmas. Or maybe a portable crib set up for Grandma's house? Or baby monitors for G'ma's if baby will be spending time there. One of my friends who recently had a baby says that they are now recommending that babies not sleep with blankets after they are out of the swaddling stage. They are still useful, but every shower I've been to they have received oodles and oodles of blankets. Since you don't know the mother/baby well, as lovely as that blanket is, I think it would mean more coming from someone who is close to the mother/baby so they can always remember this special blankie was given to you by Auntie Marie. The dr. recommended things like this for sleeping instead. And since you live in cold country (don't you?) maybe a nice snowsuit...perhaps in a size he can use in the future, along with some great snow boots? Here is a link that might be useful: Baby sleep sack

It's a good idea this year NOT to buy gift cards to specific stores. There's really no way of knowing which ones will still be around in January. I don't think a gift card is really the right way to go for the kind of situation you describe, but if you do feel that's the best choice, get a MALL gift card--that way, it can be used in any store, for clothes, books, music, etc, and all the stores in any given mall are unlikely to go out of business. For kids that age--if you can get an idea of sizes, casual clothes are always good. A winter coat might be needed and appreciated. Girls--maybe a craft kit to make jewelry or something else sparkly, or any bath, body, nail, make-up stuff is generally up their alley. Boys--sporting goods. Books, if you think they'd enjoy them, although picking books for kids you don't know is a challenge. Would you be allowed to buy tickets to a play, concert or sporting event and take them yourself? That would be an awesome gift, but it might not be possible in the situation. Of course, if you can find out what each child's specifically interested in, you'll be home free--much easier, if you can get that info somehow. And thanks for taking an interest and helping someone who surely needs someone who cares.

I like the book of poetry idea, is there an author local to you? Even if she doesn't read English, a beautiful, (illustrated?) slim volume can be treasured. Or, is there a local artist or artisan? I got my brother a handsome artisanal quilt for house/cat sitting while we were in North Carolina for a few months. To your other comment, when I was in Normandy 40 years ago, there was so much appreciation and affection for Americans. It was really eye-opening for me as a teen. My DFIL fought in the liberation, in Holland, and went back every 5-10years for observances that included luncheons, dinners, parades, laying-of-wreaths, staying with residents in their homes, and young parents bringing their children on their shoulders out to the events with "thank you" signs. His was not an American unit, I don't know who he fought under (he was Polish and escaped POW camp to get to England) but the sentiment was for all the liberators. I have always found the French to be so kind.