We are going back to Chicago for the holidays and I waswondering what are the gifts that you usually take back to your friends andfamily?
I am a little confused as it seems over the years we have already giventraditional gifts of fondue sets, chocolates and cow bell ornaments and thisyear I don’t know what else to buy…Any suggestions please? Please include linksif possible!



Exclude the fondue sets and cow bell ornaments andchocolate, please!!!

Ok, no chocolate and no fondue. That's trickier then.

What about Schnapps or a basic swiss army knife? Oh or a swiss themed jigsaw

A raclette set (although that might be a bit heavy for the trip, but if you've managed fondue sets you might manage it).

Swiss army wares - bags, purses, wallets, etc made from ex army items.

Freitag bags (messenger bags, handbags, lap top cases, cellphone cases, etc)-

The dish towels with the edelweiss or other swiss-themed designs on them.

I googled Hopp Suisse souvenirs...

https://www.google.ch/search?q=hopp+...w=1366&bih=643

I took a Swiss army knife. I checked afterwards and it was cheaper on Amazon.co.uk

Small, limited edition Swiss army knives, perhaps?
Some are good for the ladies as they have scissors and a nail file:




I've bought from here before and they have a good selection.

Edit: Just seen Porsche's post. It's true that most of them are available cheaper in the U.K. etc. That's why I mentioned the limited edition ones as they're a bit unusual.

Thank you to all of you!!
Do you buy any herbs from here? Swiss Army stuff will be nice for my nephews!

My vote would also be a raclette set, if you can manage the weight / bulk of it. Perhaps also, if you have "foodies" in your family, look for a cook book featuring traditional recipes for your region.

Chicago being Chicago (and freaking cold ) I'd also suggest blankets and throws with Swiss theme.

One thing I've always thought would be fun is to bring some items reminiscent of Fasnacht also - waggi figurines and the like. I remember the first year I was here thinking how creepy /freaky they looked.

I found a very nice wine bottle holder, made out of metal, in a shape of Swiss traditional person, wearing a hat and blowing a big Alpenhorn

It looks really nice, and couldn't find a pic on the net to show it

You can check it in Coop SihlCity

I buy a small present for my younger relatives and also give them some money. I think that is more appreciated than some Swiss tourist junk.

Ask yourselves, "When was the last time I used my Swiss pocket knife?" or my Fondue set? If you continue with this, you can always give them a new cupboard next year.

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabular...h-american.htm

You should check out the site of Victorinox.ch.
They now have all sorts of stuff, ranging from the traditional Swiss knife (you can engrave these by the way) to perfume, belts, T-shirts, etc. all with the Swiss flag logo on it.

I would not get a raclette set.


The OP says they're from Chicago.

Most (perhaps all) electric raclette sets sold here will only work on 230V so if you tried to use one in the U.S., you may find it only gets slightly warm rather than hot enough to melt cheese.

Nice idea otherwise.

Hi,

what about a Cuckoo clock? I have seen some incredible ones in Geneva.. http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/archive/...tml?cid=681210

For little ones - or slightly bigger ones too mind you - a sigg water bottle. Infact come to think about it, we all have a sigg water bottle in this family so it would do for all ages.

I have given these often as gifts to children and they are always well received by the kids and parents alike (so much so that I am often asked to buy replacement parts/extra bottles)

https://www.sigg.com/en_ch/

Speciality chocolates- our local ones from Jacot chocolatier Noiraigue www.chocolat-jacot.ch
Mauler Mousseux- if we are driving. Can't be called Champagne because of strict AOC rules by Champagne region- but as good us and cheaper.
www.mauler.ch

And of course our best Absinthe from here in the Val-de-Travers, either Clandestine, Or Guilloud or DuVallon.

I once took a whole load of Swiss chocolate back to the Uk and wasn't too happy when I found in TESCO there was a buy one get one free offer on them ! and it was still cheaper than here

I use my fondue set a lot ))) Money for Xmas? I would prefer lotto tickets and maybe yes $20 to the piggy bank! Thank you v much for your post!

I agree it is so disappointing to carry the Swiss chocolate across the pond and end up seeing than 60% cheaper in the local store. But I still do it..

If your relatives put up Christmas trees, Swiss ornaments are a nice gift.

Depending on the depth of your pockets, a hand-carved wood ornament from Brienz (sometimes available at Heimatwerk if you don't have time for an outing to the lovely town) or a blown-glass ornament from Hergiswil. http://www.glasi.ch/index.php?id=50 Or browse the many Christmas markets - some years ago I found some lovely ornaments hand-painted with Swiss scenes.

The Schweizer Foto-Almanach (photo calendar) makes an easy-to-pack-in-a-suitcase gift. These are available at most stationary stores.

Too late for this year, but next year take a look at the handicrafts produced at Ballenberg. I can always find something interesting, packable, and very Swiss at their shop. (Another nice day out, btw.) http://ballenberg.ch/en/Partner/Home-made

But after so many years here the family are pretty much limit up on Swiss tchotchkes... so instead they get tickets to come visit me. (Actually, a visit from the nieces and nephews is more like treating myself. )