Our young granddaughter will be moving on from her Montessori nursery school in England, in a couple of months. The quality of her education this year has been exceptional, due in a large part to her class teacher who is also the Headmistress. Life skills are many and varied and her overall education has really set her up for the future.

We’d like to give her teacher a present (up to about 20 CHF) that is typically Swiss, not tacky and not all chocolate! Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Both Migros and Landi sell Edelweiss braces/suspenders/bretelles.

I actually prefer bretelles to a belt, much more comfortable.

Heimatwerk is my go-to place for typically Swiss gifts:
https://www.heimatwerk.ch/de/

While they do tend toward the higher side, there are still nice things that are less expensive.

Caren d'Ache pen ?


https://www.carandache.com/ch/en/bal...4aAillEALw_wcB

That’s a great idea - I didn’t think of that but it fits the bill - especially for a teacher.

Have a look at the online store Angela Bruderer, and put in the searchword "Schweiz", and then order by "Stückpreis":
https://www.angela-bruderer.ch/de/ca...st_order=price

Also, the mini Victorinox knives are nice. If you'd like to, you could get it engraved with her name.
https://www.victorinox.com/ch/de/Pro...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Wowee! Some great ideas thanks. My little brain was getting overworked trying to think of something different!

I dunno about others, but when I taught, I didn’t like school supplies, coffee mugs, or the like.

I did like photos, drawings/letters from kids and families, and never turned down a bottle of wine.

Cutest present ever, at Christmas, received a box full of chocolates with brandy and such in them, while not a fan of such chocolates, I loved the sentiments as the six year old announced to all present in the staff room “Mr. Sox, you’ll like these, they’ve got liquor in them. My mom says we kids make teachers want to drink.” That box was finished by the other staff within an hour after school ended.

__________________
“one of the good guys”

The engraved knife is an excellent suggestion.

I’m surprised that an ex-Japan resident would suggest giving a knife.

I’m not Japanese nor is the teacher (to my knowledge). At Christmas, I gave my daughter an engraved floral pattern Swiss Army knife, she claimed it as her favorite present.

I once gave a very posh swiss army knife to a Japanese gentleman. While thanking me profusely he told me that to give a knife often meant that the recipient should use it. We both had a big laugh but after that he always looked at me with suspicion.

Scissors and knives are forbidden as wedding presents in Japan. Implies separation. Most other occasions, totally fine. Anyone in Japan who receives a Swiss Army knife from a Swiss, or resident of Switzerland and isn’t thrilled, is likely being difficult. Unless they are yakuza or a gangster and you’re their boss.

The idea of giving a small coin for a knife in exchange (thereby buying the knife) is a tradition/superstition among some western folks as well. An engraved Swiss Army knife shouldn’t hold such notions.

I know it's more than your budget OP; the cheaper (from CHF 55) colourful Swatch watches always go down well with children and adults.

Otherwise, a little boxed, carved wooden cow is a traditional Swiss gift that should travel well.

The watch is a bit too expensive but we were wondering about a cow. We’ve used that as a Swiss gift a few years ago.