ellie

I need some help from those living in Switzerland or frequent travelers to Switzerland. I am going to Switzerland to visit family and friends, young and old. I would like to take gifts, something in addition to, or other than, highly desired Levi’s. The children are easy to buy for, it’s the adults I need help with. Are there other American products that: <BR>· the Swiss can’t easily get, <BR>· are too expensive to buy in Switzerland, or <BR>· are highly desired? <BR> <BR> Any suggestions would be very helpful. <BR>

Bob Brown

You raise a very interesting question. <BR>Switzerland is one of the most affluent, if not the most affluent, nation in Europe. I am assuming that the people you are visiting are of reasonable financial means. Why not offer to take them out to their favorite place to eat <BR>once you are there? In the department stores of Interlaken, Bern, Luzern and Zuerich, I did not see any items that were conspicous by their absence. It is a very cosmopolitan, sophisticated society. <BR> <BR>Other than that, perhaps there is something local to your community that would be unusual. Something like Navojo bracelets or other jewelery. Or, as another example, I live in Athens, Georgia. We have a thriving artists colony here, including a cottage industry that makes beautiful glass vases and other artistic objects. Anything from this gallery would make a splendid gift. So perhaps there is something endemic to your local area that would carry a distinctive stamp. <BR> <BR>I can suggest several things not to take: chocolate being one.

jeanne

Message: My husband is French and the presents that family and friends enjoyed the best are small kind of sentimental things-they have loved the magnets we gave them for the frig of scenes in Seattle where we live and the biggest hit has been a calendar we had made at kinkos ( a local copy shop) where we pulled together 12 photos from our wedding and other photos over the years we have been away from them-we only get there 1-2 times a year. You don't needd to have thenegative-just a plain photograph. And of course , if you have a scanner and do desktop publishing you can do this yourself! <BR> <BR>Anyway, I know it isn't a very "expensive" gift but I can tell you that it was greatly appreciated because of the personal effort, etc. <BR> <BR> One last idea-we made a basket of little gifts from our region, smoked <BR> Salmon, Starbuck's coffee, etc., some maps and a photography book of the <BR> region along with an invitation to visit-this was a big hit as well! <BR> <BR> Hope this helps! <BR> <BR> Jeanne

jeanne

Message: My husband is French and the presents that family and friends enjoyed the best are small kind of sentimental things-they have loved the magnets we gave them for the frig of scenes in Seattle where we live and the biggest hit has been a calendar we had made at kinkos ( a local copy shop) where we pulled together 12 photos from our wedding and other photos over the years we have been away from them-we only get there 1-2 times a year. You don't needd to have thenegative-just a plain photograph. And of course , if you have a scanner and do desktop publishing you can do this yourself! Microsoft publisher even has a template for calendars in German, French etc. <BR> <BR>Anyway, I know it isn't a very "expensive" gift but I can tell you that it was greatly appreciated because of the personal effort, etc. <BR> <BR> One last idea-we made a basket of little gifts from our region, smoked <BR> Salmon, Starbuck's coffee, etc., some maps and a photography book of the <BR> region along with an invitation to visit-this was a big hit as well! <BR> <BR> Hope this helps! <BR> <BR> Jeanne

Linda

The electronic organizers, which are in various price ranges here, are more expensive in Europe & make excellent gifts. Something special from your state or region is nice.

Eileen

Hi, Ellie! I studied in Switzerland for 3 years and I must tell you that U.S.- made products are quite expensive back there. Also, there are very few American items (clothings/food stuff) available in Switzerland. Only the chocolates are available nationwide-Snickers, Mars, Nestle Crunch, Maltesers, Twix. <BR> <BR>Polo Ralph Lauren clothes are expensive so if the people that you will be visiting like clothes, I guess they will appreciate receiving Polo. Or even Banana Republic, DKNY, CK, Gap. Also, X-Files stuff, Beavis & Butt-Head stuff, South Park, Dilbert, Looney Tunes, Disney. What about Kate Spade bags? Or the latest American scents like Elizabeth Arden Splendor, RL Romance, Gap, Victoria's Secret Garden Fragrant Body Splash in Apple, Vanilla,Raspberry. Or something the Swiss do not have yet: Bath & Body Works Instant Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel in Raspberry, Lime, etc. Lipsticks like MAC, Prescriptives, even Versace. Shampoos, hair care items from Aveda. Maybe Tiffany & Co. silver key chains, silver jewellery or stationery. <BR> <BR>During my 3 years' stay there, I made sure that I had enough stock of Oreo cookies, Chips Ahoy, 7-UP, Root Beer, Spam, Doritos, Pringles, Planters Cheese Balls. These stuffs are not available in Switzerland at all. And it can get very frustrating once I start missing all these food and they are nowhere to be found in Switzerland. Good thing some cities have McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Haagen-Dazs. <BR> <BR>What about bringing over some newly published American books and magazines? Or VHS tapes in PAL version of the latest American movies. <BR> <BR>I hope you will consider some of my suggestions. Bon voyage and have a great time in Switzerland. <BR>

trina

I've taken American whiskey (Jack Daniels)to friends in Switzerland. It was very much appreciated. The Swiss have good wine available - Swiss, German and French, but a good bottle of California wine would be a nice treat.

Al

When I traveled to Switzerland on business, it was standard operating procedure to take our personal limkite of either Jack Daniels or Scotch whisky to the Zurich office. The Yanks took the JD and the Swiss took the Scotch, using it for "trading goods" for whatever. The tax on imported alcoholic beverages is not to be believed, they told us. Once, on a flight between London and Zurich, a bottle of Johnny Walker broke in my suitcase, but that's another story!

Donna

I'd just like to comment on the idea that Switzerland is such an affluent country. It is indeed, but not every family is affluent (sort of like Delaware and Rhode Island). The home office of my husband's company is in Switzerland and you would not believe the ordinary items they love to stock up on when visiting the states. Those who have been transferred here have no wish to return, and we do not live in a place that I consider to be particularly affluent, and certainly not as scenic. At any rate, the top product by far on everyone's list is underwear. No kidding. The first place the visiting executives (who are very, very highly paid) go is to the Hanes and Fruit of the Loom counters. They claim it is much better, nicer, and so much cheaper than whatever is available to them. I am NOT suggesting that you take underwear as gifts, only pointing out that it is terribly unfair to assume that everyone in Switzerland has everything they could possibly need or want. You could ask if they have any preferences, but the Swiss are very private and conserative and probably won't tell you. I sincerely doubt that they as host will permit you the guests to pick up a dinner tab.

Elena

Believe me they have got everything!!I have relatives in Zurich as my husband is Swiss. They appreciate small presents(their motto is It is the thought that counts NOT the present!) <BR>Arts and Crafts are appreciated <BR>CDs too as they are much more expensive in Switzerland <BR>Whiskey (Jack Daniels) is an excellent choice! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Lynne

My family in Switzerland love Levi's and Tupperware. Both are expensive in Switzerland compared to US prices. I took a Yankee Candle for my cousin. She loved it. I never did find out if they have nice scented candles or not, but when I go this year I'll be taking a few Yankee Candles. When my family comes to visit us, they have frequently bought leather goods (vests & purses). Leather is another product you can buy cheaper in the US.

Mariella

Donna, you are right. Everything, from owning a home to gasoline is TERRIBLY expensive in Switzerland and the majority of people are not affluent. They are a proud people. We surprised our host with a dinner party on her birthday at a nice restaurant and the guests were very reluctant to have us pay for their meals, but we did win the battle. In return they are very grateful and go to great measures to repay the gesture.

I appreciate the gift ideas on this site.

rat_the_cat77

I am Swiss. When I visit my family I bring:
shoes (nike and now the kind that have no laces, the just slide on)and levi's for the kids
towels, sheets, and all linen are much less expensive in America--I go to Bed Bath and Beyond and get something cool and modern
candles (the decorative kind for the table--my aunt uses them ALL the time for every holidy)
Gin, Vodka, and JD
We've brought a small seedless grape vine--a rarity in Europe--to nearly everyone. If it's planted near the house it will survive the winter and everyone enjoys eating something without spitting!

suze

Please note that this thread is over 7 years old! Just in case some things have changed.

I would not bother carrying gin or vodka all the way to Europe, you can go into a PicNPac and buy it for your hosts after you arrive. The price and availability are comparable to the U.S.