What would you suggest I pick up for my family for Christmas while in Germany for a week? I've heard of the Christmas markets where they sell ornaments...but those only get appreciated once a year...what's an authentic German present? I've got two brothers 28-30 and for the folks as well (~60)
thx! keep in mind i'll need to bring it back in a suitcase!

These aren't German but I bought them in Germany - Swiss Army knives. My brothers loved them and they were less expensive than at home. I got my parents a cuckoo clock, which they love. (I had the clock shop ship it for me). I picked up nice appertif glasses - cut glass in different colors. Table linens - like a runner. Beer steins? My brother picks those up for people. Have a fun trip!

Do you think the ladies in your family would enjoy embroidered table linens? You don't need to stick with Christmas motives but they do make the most beautiful seasonal table accessories and doilies - as suggested also by cls2paris - they hardly weigh anything and don't mess up your suitcase.... Nativity figures, smokers and nut crackers. Christmas cookies, like "Zimtsterne", Marzipan and "Weihnachtsstollen". Be sure to get some "Dominosteine" - soo good!

You can find beautiful wood carvings (and puzzles for kids), as well as crystal figurines.

The Christmas Markets are wonderful, lots to choose from. The cookies are wonderful, I took a hard plastic container which I filled with clothes on the way there and filled with cookies on the way back. The steins are beautiful too.

Hhhhmmmm... German Marzipan for those with a sweet tooth, German wine for those like me (!!), a good set of knives (compare prices at home first), hand made tyrolean sweaters, wood carvings, local shnapps, crystal...

Check out WMF and similar stores for beautiful stainless steel, such as knives as well as other serving and table ware. I got a great cake serving tool, it is like a wedge to cut the cake but then with a little "pusher" to get it off the wedge and onto the dessert plate. Great for that "kuchen mit schlag". They also have great wine and cheese serving accessories such as wine openers and open bottle sealers. Also relative small to fit in your luggage home.

and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!

rallen, I leave for Germany on Friday so thanks for posting this, it's given me some good ideas. I hope you have a great tirp.

I'm going to tack on a question if you don't mind:

I'd like to get my niece some miniatures for her doll's house and thought that I might find some unique pieces in Germany? Does anyone know if they are popular there? I'll be in Trier, Rothenburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg. Thanks.

It may be a cliche, but I love those nicely made German nutcrackers. They are of a much better quality than those produced in many other countries. Also, German "smokers," a wooden figuring not unlike the nutcracker, designed to burn incense at Christmas, are also great gifts. They are not as common as nutcrackers and come in a variety of shapes and sizes and prices. If your family celebrates Christmas and decorates for the holidays, either nutcrackers or smokers would probably be appreciated.

Sorry, that should be "figurine." You can probably see photos of smokers online, if you're not familiar with them.

I went to a Christmas market in Fuhrt, a small town outside of Nurnburg. Caught up in the moment, I bought a number of christmas table runners and a small tablecloth with embroidery. When I got home, I thought "how kitschy, I'll never use these!" Many times over the holidays I have pulled these out for different entertaining stations in my house. I also bought some hand painted, very long stemmed wine glasses by Nagel. These are very unusual and ornate, but every time I use them I get numerous compliments and questions as to their origin. I also found the extra large Milka bars sold in the groceries were very popular. The smokers and painted pewter ornaments are also very nice.

I have several pieces from WMF - love every one of them. How about beer steins? Or Hummels (love them, but expensive). You can't go wrong with chocolate or marzipan.

Have a great trip!

mvor - Do not miss Käthe Wohlfahrt's "Christkindlmarkt" in Rothenburg. It's a fabulous store. Have a look on www.bestofchristmas.com
You may find some miniature items at the "Magic Mushroom" or "The Market Square Gift Store". They most likely will be able to give you directions to stores specializing in your criteria. I would think that you will be able to find those items in any of the towns you listed. Quality toys are BIG business in Germany.

rallen - you may want to take a look at Käthe Wohlfahrt's Online Catalog to familiarize yourself with the items suggested by various posters.

waggis, thanks for the great leads and website re: the dollshouse. I think I'll check the toy department at department stores too.

rallen, thanks again for letting me tag along on your question. Have a great trip!

Great ideas everybody--thank you.

I brought home some bottles of Niederegger Marzipan liquor for my adult friends. It is easy to transport and is great poured over ice cream.