SWISS BUYS - Globus Christmas

it's really a Swiss Christmas

My favourite time of year is the end of October, not really because it is my Birthday, but because all the shops start to set up their Christmas displays! This year, I visited them all as always...

I have to say I was not overwhelmed by those presented by Migros and Coop. I bought a few bits and pieces from Migros Garden and Do It - but it was more pink and gold star goodies for Zara's Peter Pan Party.

Micasa did a great job with their browns, and golds but burgundy is just never going to be my look. Depot has lovely things (I bought a cute little red truck and little red car which I will add on some mini green Christmas trees to the roofs) but nothing that I thought was absolutely amazing. 

IKEA actually had some lovely neutral and black goodies, so I bought their origami paper decorations for the tree, some little ceramic discs featuring a fox and a bird and then some white paper lights that are shaped like a wrapped present that I thought would look good under the tree. I have decided to decorate our house (eventhough we won't be here) in these neutral colours so it matches the house itself. 

And then I went to Interio and nearly cried because it is awful! I didn't like ANYTHING. I didn't buy ONE THING. And seriously, I always find something! The overall theme sounds great: "Cool Brittania". But I think it is just a bit too cool for me: bright jewel toned colours - totally OTT, an "Under the sea" theme with jellyfish and trout? and the Highlands look was okay, but nothing jumped out at me - in a good way!

And folks, that left me with my last hope... Globus. Would Globus do my proud? In one word: YES! This is by far the best year EVER! 

 
Every year Globus does a Country for Christmas, and more often than not it is amazing. My favourite being the year they did a Russian Christmas, with their British and American Christmases being tied for second. But this year, the posts have shifted and the Swiss Christmas is by far the new winner!

I don't know why they have never done it before, but it is something special. I bought some beautiful "ski" themed crockery, lots and lots of their Swiss themed Christmas decorations (pricey but will last forever!), pillows and some very cute bells. 

But I am definitely going back for more! I have already started my wish list!

SWISS BUYS
A Swiss Christmas by Globus

SWISS BUYS - Advent Calendar

advent, advent

Is it too early to talk #Christmas? I just found the best #adventcalendar @tchibo today! 12 pairs of socks - each sock labelled with a tag 1 - 24. Now what to fill them with?!

SWISS BUYS - Firepit

firepit

Last month we hosted an Oktoberfest party at our home. One of the items we bought for our outside entertaining area was a firepit. And what a great buy! We were lucky we did as not only were the kids able to make their own smores but it rained on and off and this open fire did wonders for keeping everyone warm.

SWISS BUYS
Firepit from Migros

SWISS FUN - English Books

the book house

If you are looking for English books in Zug, then I have found that Balmer has a good selection and if you are after something specific they will order most books and they arrive in 2 to 3 days. Yay! Whilst I order alot of books from amazon - it is still nice to be able to venture into a book store and have a nose around.

SWISS BUYS
Balmer Buchhaus

SWISS BUYS - Photobooths

smile!

Getting Passport Photos done has all been a challenge. Largely because Zara hates the whole thing and it is pretty pricey at 10chf a sheet and that is in a photobooth (the shops chage early quadruple that). One time I think I spent nearly 50chf and finally had a shot of Zara (all red faced from crying). 

Now that she is bigger it has turned out to be a lot easier and yesterday we visited the train station to get some more shots done for an upcoming "secret" trip and I was surprised to see that you can take new fun photos and these ones only cost 2chf each! Great for a bit of a laugh while you wait for the train and make a cute card for family and friends.

SWISS BUYS
Fun Photo Booth Photos
Photobooths found at most train stations (we were at the Zug Bahnhof)
2chf to 10chf

SWISS BUYS - A Zug Mug

i heart zug

Did you know that Zug Tourismus has a shop? I didn't. I spotted their stand at the Let's Talk fair last week Saturday down by the lake largely because I wanted a t-shirt that said I heart Zug that I had spotted in the crowds. Unfortunately, these were all sold out so I am on their waiting list, but I was able to get my hands on one of the matching mugs!

SWISS BUYS
Zug Tourismus

SWISS BUYS - Farmmania

farmmania
SWISS BUYS

Every season, Migros and COOP come up with a new way to coerce you into picking their store for the season. This is usually targeted at the strong buying power of one's kids and so the promotions are usually child-themed. And whilst this Autumn, Migros has launched Farmmania (where for every 20chf you spend you get a collectable toy farm animal) I find myself thinking of all the ways I can spend money at Migros to get more of them.

The best part is the little Swiss Barn that you can buy for 9.80chf. You have to assemble it yourself (it is not that hard and takes about half an hour) but I had to help Zara who lost patience half way through. The highlight being the little stickers you add to the structure which really transform it to look exactly like a Swiss Chalet with barn - the one window even has a cat peeking out of it. Can you spot it?

SWISS BUYS - Mayo in a Tube

interesting tubes

I thought it would be fun to share some unique Swiss products that I have yet to see elsewhere. First up is mayonaise and mustard that comes in a tube! Yip! THOMY I would guess is one of the most popular brands of these sauces and all of their products come in tubes, just like toothpaste. I have only seen it served up in tubes here in Switzerland, does your country have something similar?

SWISS BUYS - Trauufer Wooden Toys

trauffer
SWISS BUYS

After visiting the Appenzeller Volkskunde Museum and doing some Aplfahrt reserach, I knew I wanted to display my own mini Alpfahrt wooden collection. And I soon realised that the best option had to be the wooden figurines from Trauffer. Trauffer Wooden toys have a long tradition since 1938 and "every Swiss child knows the little spotted cow with the golden bell".

It is fortunate that the wooden toys can be found in many shops in and around Switezrland, and I was even able to start my collection by buying some of the animals in Migros. Now the challenge will be finding the rarer animals and the traditional people.

My recent Migros shopping spree.

MY TAUFFER ALPFAHRT COLLECTION (so far).
5 goats (I've got 2)
Goat Boy
Goat Girl
3 Bulls with Bells (bought a black spotty, red spotty and a brown)
1st Son in Sundaydress
9 Cows with Bells (stole the calf from the girls toybox)
2nd Son in Sundaydress
Horse
Farmer
Caretaker
Cart
Dog (bought one woth orange spots)
(Little extras: I couldn't resist picking out from the girls toybox: a chicken, a bunny, a pig, a sheep and a lamb)

My display for August 1st. 

SWISS BUYS - Trauffer

Available at Migros, COOP, and pretty sure most tourist and toy shops too.

Grüezi sign from Migros

Wooden Calendar and Glass Domes from Depot Online

SWISS BUYS - Swiss Buys for Guys

buys for guys

Shopping for guys is always hard, but I was pleased to find three great ideas for all my "male" side of the family.

Felt Waterbottle for Grandpa 

(from Migros)

Metallic Box for Loyalty Cards/Credit Cards etc. for Uncle Sam

(from Aldi)

Felt Toiletry bag for Gruffalo
 (from Migros)

SWISS BUYS - The Swiss Kitchen

swiss kitchen

The Swiss National Day is coming up and the local stores have their best offerings ever. I picked up such cute gifts for relatives that we will be visiting in South Africa next month and here are a few of the Kicthen themed ones I found and in and around the 10chf mark too!

 

The teatowels come in a pack of three for under 10chf (Migros)

The cupcake liners come in three different styles, I mixed the packs up so tha bakers ahve 12 of each. (Migros).

I spotted these cut out wooden spoons at Migros (under 4chf for 1) but then picked up a spoon and a lifter (both for under 3chf at Aldi).

 

This is actually an egg timer that you place inside the water with teh reale ggs and it will sing "Swiss" when your eggs are ready to be enjoyed. (From Migros at 19.80chf)

This little cow shaped bread board was from Migros too and just perfect for after dinner cheese and crackers (9.80 chf). The Swiss kinfe is from Aldi and I think it was under 3chf.

SWISS BUYS - Swiss National Day Party Goodies

party goodies

Swiss National Day is coming up and as mentioned before I found such awesome party goodies this year. So one can really go all out with the red and white!

 

Food flags and mini Matterhorn mountains for food and cupcakes.

(from Migros)

 

The good stuff: napkins, bunting flags of all the cantons, windmills and lanterns. 

(from COOP)

My favourite: little tea light lantern bags that can double as favour bags.

(Migros and COOP have these)

SWISS BUYS - Swiss National Day Goodies

swiss day

Just under two weeks to Swiss National Day, and here are a few things you will want to have for your celebrations...

 

I found these little paper clips at Wunderbox in Zug and I think they are great not only as favour but would make cute additions to place cards.

 

Love this Swiss Chocolate made just like the kind they issue to the military!

These little favour bags are actually lantern bags, so add a little tea light candle to the bag as well that was it is an additional gift too. (Picked these up at COOP).

SWISS BUYS - Cherries

cherries and berries

As mentioned before we are the Cherry Canton and Cherry Season is now in full swing. Therefore, I thought it would only be appropriate to share some nice souvenoirs that you can find in Zug along cherry lines and only cost a few Francs.

 Cherry shaped lollipops

All of these goodies you can find at Wunderbox, a very cute shop right alongside the Clock Tower and in the Old Town. This is definitely the place to find good quality mementos of your trip to Zug and Switezrland.

 Cherry Postcard Pack

SWISS SHOPS - Wunderbox
Since 2010, Wunderbox has been offering a unique range of unusual, high-quality, fine and fun gift items. Located in the middle of the old town at Zytturm with 54 m2 on 2nd floor, you will find over 2000 items that have been selected with great attention. Come and dive into the miracle box, we look forward to your visit. 

 

 Zug and cherry themed pack of Jassen Cards

Winter opening times 
Tuesday-Friday 10:00 to 12:30 / 14:00 to 18:00 
Saturday 10:00 to 16:00 

Summer opening times (May-October ) 
Monday-Friday 10:00 to 19:00 
Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 

Wunderbox Zug
Fisschmarkt 10 
6300 Zug

SWISS BUYS - Summer Sweets

skewered sweets

I was going to post this under SWISS FOOD but as it makes such a cute summer hostess gift for the kids, I thought it belongs under SWISS FINDS. This little set of "grill" sweets on skewers is perfect to give little ones at a BBQ. You can buy a set for under 10chf from Lollipop.ch but I think one could also easily make their own sets too!

 

SWISS BUYS - Fussball Euro 2016

football fever

Our finds for this week are all Soccer themed as we celebrate Switzerland making it into the next stage of the Euro tournament for the first time ever! 

COOP is selling these little chocolate balls - and they are really good!

MIGROS set up a soccer competition stand - I love how they dressed the champagne bucket to match the theme.

PANINI CARDS are all the craze, so much so an informal get together in the Bellezinoa town square is organised by fans at 12h00 Saturday monrings to swap cards.

SWISS BUYS - House Shoes

house shoes

It is quite a strange concept for me, as in South Africa you never really think about taking off your shoes at your front door, and definitely not when you go to someone's house. But here in Switzerland it is customary to remove your shoes before you enter - I guess I understand why: no one wants to have to clean the floors repeatedly. But it sure has made me rethink my choice of socks or the need to prioritse foot care!

Here are Bailey and Liam sporting their matching house shoes that they wear indoors - on sale at Dosenbach for 20chf.

SWISS BUYS - Swiss Playmobil

out in the country

Are you looking for a gift with a Swiss theme for a toddler? Then I have just the thing... we were in Franz Carl Weber and they have this new Country range and low and behold the little figurines are all Swissified and the cows come bearing beautiful bells and flower crowns! I don't even have a little kid to give this too and yet I bought it and am seriously tempted to go back and get the MOVEABLE cable car. I NEED it, right?

SWISS BUYS
Country Playmobil from Franz Carl Weber

SWISS BUYS - My Switzerland App

family trips

Liam and I have set a family goal that in the next four years, we visit all 26 cantons with the girls. To help us in this quest he found this great new App on the Myswitzerland.com website. It has a pretty awesome search function and we were able to decide in minutes what do this holiday Saturday.

Find your ideal family adventures from more than 1,000 excursion ideas throughout Switzerland. The Family Trips – available as an app for iPads, iPhones, Android smartphones and Windows 8 – will suggest a wealth of fun days out for the whole family. You can narrow down your search using a variety of criteria. The Family Trips can also suggest family-friendly accommodation suitable for your next journey of exploration.

SWISS BUYS
My Switzerland Family Trips App
- and it's free!

SWISS BUYS - Cow Print

hausfrau

I think it is official! Now that I own one of these cow print brush and pan sets, I can give myself the title of "Swiss Hausfrau".

SWISS BUYS
Cow Print Brush and Handle
Available from Migros