What is a Kinder Egg?

Kinder Egg, also known as a Kinder surprise, is a children's confection in the form of a chocolate egg containing a small toy to be constructed by the aforementioned child or possibly a supervising adult.

Thank you Mr Google

You are referring to the cheap cuckoo clocks you see in the US. Germany has real clocks with metal works and great carvings that do not compare to what they ship to Target stores here. Look for the real thing and you may change your husband's mind. Plus, the good ones have a switch to turn the sound off and keep the time going.

A few other tips on buying a cuckoo:

Wooden weights: They have hand carved weights you can get instead of the cheap molded ones. This really makes a quality difference.

Dark chains: The cheap clocks have bright gold chains that look great new but quickly tarnish. The good clocks have quality dark chains that always look the same.

Carved wooden numbers, not stamped plastic. Plus the hands of the clock should be hand carved wood, not stamped white plastic.

The clock will be finished on the sides and the roof. The roof will have hand laid shingles. Cheap clocks will have nothing on the side or roof...just a flat board.

Music and hand carved figures. Not stamped.

Metal workings, not plastic. Ask to see the inside and have them tell you how it was made and where.

Check on how long the clock will run before you pull the weights. They have daily pulls and clocks that only need it weekly.

As you can see, your husband may be thinking of one type of clock while the true German cuckoo is a much higher quality. We learned all of this in the Black Forest 20 years ago and have two great clocks that work well in our home and we enjoy daily. It does pay to find someone who sells the real clock and not get the Target version. Plus, they do not cost all that more. Americans just do not know to ask.

Also...thanks for helping me kill a 3 hour delay at LAX. Nothing else to do but Fodors and then on to Australia. Enjoy Germany!

Kindersurprise is Verboten in the US?

It must be along the same lines as Mechano, where some kid got sick from eating all the nuts and bolts.

MelJ:

I was raised with Puddles for that reason. Dor (the less furry one) was only allowed a rabbit in a hutch outside.

We wallow in fur, and do not have visitors who do not approve.

Not only are the Kinder Eggs more expensive here now because of the exchange rate, but Schroeder's government decided to raise taxes on them to boost the budget. They used to be taxed at 7% as a food product, but now are taxed at 16% as a toy! They must sell a lot of kinder eggs if they think that's going to help! We see them here for up to 98 cents in the autobahn gas stations, but usually buy them in our local grocery store for 50 cents.

One thing to remember about bringing home a clock, is that you may have to leave it unpacked at the airport if you are going to claim the VAT tax back. When we took one home several years ago, we ended up hand-carrying it because they wouldn't give us the refund until they'd actually laid eyes on the clock. Besides, I'm not sure I'd put one in my luggage. They are packed well though, so don't take up much space in a carry-on.

Have a great time on your trip. I just checked our weather forecast and aside from thunderstorms in the evening, it looks great for the next while. Time to plant my corn!

Linda

The clock is definitely something you would want to take with you as carry-on.

Yeah, Kinder Eggs are forbidden in the US because they're afraid some kid will swallow the toy and choke.

We paid to have the clock shipped. A very safe way to handle a large package.

Besides our wonderful memories, our cuckoo clock is one of the best things we brought back from Germany! It (in the dining room)sounds off along with our (loud) mantle clock (in the living room)and they fill the house with beautiful music! We also bought three unique steins that we proudly display. Do splurge and get the wooden weights and pendulum...they really add to the look.

Ship the clock home. It beats carrying the thing on board and they are packed well.

Another suggestion for something wonderful to take home from Germany....

How about Christmas ornaments? I have some gorgeous wooden ones I bought in Germany a few years ago. The glass ones are pretty special, too!

Follow Bob's advice and buy a "good" clock. We bought one several years ago and like you thought it would be great for the kids. I will not now part with it! It hangs in my study and every hour reminds me of all the pleasure I have had on my trips to Europe. $250 will get you an wxcellent clock. Just tell hubby he can not buy a beer stein unless you can buy a clock.

Bob! You got it. let's hope she does.

I predict your husband will absolutely adore that clock you bought FOR HIM!!

Nutcrackers are my recommendation. Also, if the concern is lugging the stuff around with you, have it mailed home. Mail costs are high, but you can often save on tax.

I posted elsewhere that I think Kindersuprise eggs are available in the US, and posted a link to what I think is the same product (at a European goods store). IMHO cuckoo clocks are whimsical and could be a nice addition to the right room. That said, although it may not sound like much, keeping them wound (if that is the proper term for the pull chain) is yet another thing around the house that needs regular attention.

Just checked on eBay. There're 84 Kinderegg items listed, so go on over and bid! Do a search on Kinderegg* (the asterisk will bring up both singular and plural).

See my coomments above. I made it out of LAX and on to Australia. Sure hope Alise got her good cuckoo clock. Me? I have a great Australian hat! Gotta love this travel stuff!!!!

I had forgotten the joys of a KinderEgg!!!

Thanks for bringing about found memories

My step mom has a clock fetish. Your husband would not last long in her house!

They all ring, ding, chirp, chime, and say the time on the hour. She has them staggard. I lost count at 27 clocks.

She has one cuckoo, and one clock that plays Edelwiess, and has little moving people on it of some sort. Both are from Germany. Step bro brought back the latter one for her a couple of years ago.

Why does your husband refuse? I would feel badly if my husband did that to me, I think.

I hope you find something you like. I would get the clock if that is what I wanted.

all of this about cukoo clocks because of my trip to Portugal! I have not looked at this post since 2001... what a great trip. Maybe go to Portugal and stay and that might satisfy your cukoo clock craving after you hear all the real ones!!