Hi all.

Two of my friends back in England have recently become parents, both to girls. I'd like to buy them both something appropriately Swiss as a present but, not having ankle biters myself i'm a bit clueless as to what. Any ideas what would make a good present would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Barrie.

I bought a new born baby a little cow bell. His parents attached it to the top of his pram, and it has been his favourite toy ever since.

I sent my nephews new baby and also my good friends first Granchild a specially prepackaged set of all the Swiss coins minted in the birth year of the child. It also had a large Silver coin with a toy bear embossed on it, sort of like a first day cover but with coins not stamps.
They were very well received, I don't know if they are still making them, haven't needed to look again in there for some time, if so, I think they make a unique gift.

A Gold Vreneli is also something special along the same lines and will always have a certain value over and above the paid price.

We give these as gifts as well You can buy them at the Post.

Thanks for the pointers, most probably going with the coins suggestion.

Cheers.

Ahh, yes, I should have mentioned that I bought them from the Post.

The Post also has it's own shop where you can buy very traditional (or clichè depending on how you view them) goods.
Many of these would be very suitable as a gift for a newborn.

Open a bank account for the kid.

It's seemingly without love, boring, and financially rewarding.

(just jokes, the Swiss aren't that bad)

My siblings and I received a set of silver kinderbesteck from our Swiss godparents. We all still have them. Especially useful is the little "pusher" piece that is in place of a knife for very small children to use to push things onto their spoons (as we would do with a knife).

The classic Swiss present for a new born is 1m CHF put on deposit in an account for when they reach 18 years old.

I quite like the 'Tiger' shoes, which we've received as a gift. They are very swiss and very cute, of course with swiss prices. For girls, they are especially appropriate. They actually are more like house shoes/slippers, come in sizes of newborns to small children. There is also the 'Tiger' associated stuff like socks, bibs, etc. that could make a gift combo if you like.

http://tigershop.ch