bettyjane

What are the most prized souvenirs from Switzerland? Which are the most popular and affordable. Thank you.

michele_d

Hi bettyjane,
I just loved all those 'chocolate milk' cows that roam the hillsides in Switzerland. I loved hearing their bells clanging around their necks. We heard them the entire week we were in Lauterbrunnen. I bought a little tiny cowbell to hang on my backpack when we were there and then two more with our names on them to hang on the Christmas tree. Nothing fancy...just memories. Of course there is always humels (sp) and cuckoo clocks. That's what I had bought on a previous trip. You can find clocks of all sizes and prices.

Michele

babsNYC

Also nice is a Mondaine watch or desk clock- same brand and design as the ubiquitous (and reliable) clock seen at the Swiss rail stations.

Also, if you got to the Schweizer Heimatwerk, you'll find lots of nice Swiss branded crafts to bring home. A fondue pot is nice- you don't have to use it for fondue, their good for casseroled, fruit cobblers, etc (although a good fondue is good, indeed).

Then, depending on where in Switzeraland you will be, there are a variety of edible treats you coudl bring home (some of which last for quite a while). For example, Basler Laekerli (hard ginger squares), Bundner nuss torte (from Graubunden) or Spruenglis' to die for Luxumburgerli, but those are highly perishable.

quokka

My favourite souvenirs from Switzerland include a couple of CDs with rock music sung in Swiss German, some hair tools/ornaments, and a Swiss pocket knife.

tipsygus

I like the small fretwork Christmas ornament wood carvings, and I have a small carved angel which hands on my Christmas tree, as well as a nativity scene. In other words any wood carving from a small artisan. Of course chocolate, any of the bars from Migros or the Coop and the lovely little praline heart shaped chocolates sold by Merkur

MichelleY

I wish I had purchased one of those giant cow bells. So cool, but so expensive.

michele_d

That's why I only bought little tiny cow bells!!!

michele_d

We also bought these candy Swiss army knives. There were 5 or 6 'knives' in a package. They were solid chocolate wrapped to look like the classic red army knife. Our sons both collect Swiss army knives so they got a kick out of those. Just found them at the grocery store.

Melnq8

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate...

I like the mini Swiss Army knife tie tack/hat pins that you can pick up at any tourist shop.

I also have a really nice magnet of an alphorn player handemade from wood, and a CD of alphorn music.

I used to buy Swiss Army knives as gifts, but I can get them elsewhere for much cheaper.

You can find nice lace bookmarks in tourist shops too.

I once took a sewing friend a collection of that colorful ric-rac that you see as trim on traditional Swiss clothing. There's probably a name for it, but I have no idea what it might be.

If you're after complete kitsch.....cow shaped milk pitchers and creamers...

Aduchamp1

I forgot to do the following. I wanted to get applications for Swiss bank accounts and give them to friends.

gruezi

Adu - You are too funny. My brother (a lowly carpenter) asked me about that when we first moved here... At any rate, unless you have over 1 million dollars, right now, because of the tax dispute, no Swiss bank will give you an account if you are American. My 19 year old got an internship here and went to 5 banks. As soon as they found out she was American the answer was "Nein."

I'm not sure what new ex-pats from the US are doing. There was an article in the paper a month back about what a problem it is.

One more reason for you to love Switzerland

gruezi

gruezi

bettyjane,

For real gifts: Our F&F loved the genuine Swiss bells I bought in a bell foundry. Not inexpensive though.

Also, everyone has loved glass Christmas ornaments from Glasi Hergiswil. A friend also got an olive oil bottle from there. I love the hand cut paper pictures in frames - small, portable and lovely. (Sorry I don't remember the proper name for these.) Swiss Army knives are very, very popular. There are a million to choose from. The Mondaine clock is a wonderful gift. I got the travel one (2 silver spheres with one folding into the other) for both my husband and brother for Christmas and they both love it. My husband thought my brother would not "get" it because he's never visited here, but I knew he would appreciated the cool design - he did.

I have gotten good reviews on the hand carved bread/cheese boards with knife that slides in the side. Also, lovely hand stitched linens and kitchen towels were appreciated. This year we also purchased a few Swiss made music boxes.

For most of the above items, a trip to Heimatwerk will give you great selections. The Army knives can be purchased in the train station in Zurich or at the airport. I honestly don't remember the foundry we visited for the bells - they also make church bells and we were lucky to get a tour. Perhaps you can google and find it.

For kitsch and cheaper prices, T-shirts, cheap cow bells, hand towels, chocolate, are ubiquitous.

gruezi

altamiro

>I'm not sure what new ex-pats from the US are doing. There was an article in the paper a month back about what a problem it is.

What about PostFinance? The Swiss Post should accomodate anyone - they don't do number accounts or any "wealth management" at all, just standard day-to-day banking for small customers, so this should not affect them...

Aduchamp1

I was in Switzerland before the law changed. And one minor quibble. Chocolate CAN be a cheap gift.

bratsandbeer

A music box with the metal hole punched "records". The small cow bells and the beautiful handkerchiefs - although no one seems to use them anymore.

suze

Swiss army knife
chocolates
tiny cow bells
lace and linens

bettyjane

Everyone seems to agree that chocolate will make a great souvenir. Is there one brand of chocolate that is better than others? Thanks.

TDudette

Someone brought me a lace piece that I backed and framed. Always a nice reminder and so easy to pack!

Dayenu

I was with a group, and a girl got post cards that look like swiss cheese with holes in them - so funny! If you want to mail them.

I also brought, and one of them at my house, "weather houses" - they are sold where the clocks are, when the weather is good, a woman comes out, when it's raining, a man comes out. You can see them here to know what I'm talking about (never mind the prices, they have smaller and cheaper)

http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/de...FQhYbQod9F_nuA

I forgot what it called, but somebody posted the name here on Fodor's, I had it written down on paper, and a shopgirl showed me in a souvenir store.

I also brought beer steins with lids - good for displays, we never used them
http://www.amazon.com/Zoeller-German.../dp/B000J3M3HG

I think the weather houses and beer steins were in the range of $15-20.

Cannot advise on chocolate as I prefer dark, Swiss usually have milk. Go to any "coop" store and buy anything you like, Lindt is plenty in the US, buy other brands. You won't go wrong.

And while there, enjoy ice-creams, you cannot take them home

Melnq8

<Everyone seems to agree that chocolate will make a great souvenir. Is there one brand of chocolate that is better than others? Thanks.>

For fancy expensive chocolate, Teuscher rules...but it doesn't travel well, so just eat it instead of giving it away!The champagne truffles are fabulous.

For everyday chocolate, I'm a fan of Cailler.

No shortage of dark chocolate in Switzerland, just look for 'Noir'.

Coop grocery stores sell all manner of Lindt, Cailler, etc.

Migros grocery stores sell Frey, I'm not a fan of Frey, but many people are.