Last updated 5 December 2025
Let’s be real. I’ve read my fair share of Swiss gift guides online, and honestly? Most of them are the worst. They’re full of the same generic suggestions (Swiss chocolates! Watches!) without any real talk about price points or where to actually buy them. Because let’s face it, what I want to bring for my mom is going to be wildly different from what I’m getting for my colleagues, both in product and price.
So, let’s agree to move beyond the cuckoo clocks, cowbells, and cheese fondue sets. Seriously, those gifts just become tchotchkes that will live in the back of some cabinet until it’s time for spring cleaning, and then get hauled to the nearest Salvation Army. Here’s a curated list of non-sucky, practical, and meaningful gifts from Switzerland that people will actually use (or eat) and love.
- Edible & Drinkable Gifts
- Chocolates
- Very affordable(<CHF 5 for a bar)
- Mid-range (<CHF 29 for a box)
- High-End (<CHF 30+)
- Foodie items (our favorite supermarket finds)
- Chocolates
- Home & Kitchen Gifts
- Rex Rena Vegetable Peeler (~CHF 10)
- Victorinox Swiss Army Knives (CHF 23+)
- Alpinte Carafe and Glasses (~CHF26+)
- Kuhn Rikon Kitchenware (~CHF45+)
- Beauty & Body Gifts
- Soeder Soap & Lotions (~CHF 27+)
- Weleda Skincare (~CHF 10+)
- Rausch Shampoos and Conditioners (~CHF 15+)
- Daylong Sunblock (~CHF 20+)
- Biokosma Hand Cream (~CHF 15+)
- Lubex Anti-aging line (~CHF 40+)
- Other Unique Gifts
- Caran d’Ache Art Supplies
- Sigg Water Bottles (CHF 20+)
- Geneva Cookbook (CHF ~25)
- Swatch & FlikFlak (~CHF 45+)
- Brändi Dog Board Game (~CHF 80)
- Mondaine Wall Clock (~CHF219+)
- Geneva Neighborhood Postcards from Celeste Hay (CHF 5)
- The Geneva Chronicles (CHF 25)
- Around Switzerland Card Game (CHF 16.90)
- Where to buy cool gifts in Geneva
1. Edible & Drinkable Gifts
Edible and drinkable gifts are my go-to because you don’t have to worry about pesky things like sizing or colors. There are so many local products you can really only find here in Switzerland that make for a great gift—especially for your foodie friends.
Chocolates
There’s nothing better than Swiss chocolate for a gift. Everyone can enjoy a good piece, and it can easily be shared. However, if you’ve ever walked into a proper chocolate shop in Switzerland, you may have been shooked. You’ll have to be spending a pretty penny to afford all your friends a fancy chocolate gift. Swiss chocolates probably deserve their own blog post one day, but here are some of our suggestions:
- Very Affordable (<CHF 5 for a bar): Don’t turn your nose up at local supermarket chocolates. For under CHF 5, you can find some of the most delicious, creamy, and affordable chocolate bars at your nearby Coop or Migros.
- Mid-Range (<CHF 29 for a box): When you want a step up from a bar of chocolate, a box of chocolates from a good chocolatier is a great option
- $$$ High-End (<CHF 30+): Reserved for people that you truly, truly love (or if you have deep pockets.)
Food
Okay, before you come at me for my food-as-gifts recommendations, just hear me out. 1) Food gifts won’t break the bank—everything listed is under CHF 10! 2) You can easily find these items at your local grocery store. 3) You can give food gifts to almost anyone. Although Swiss food isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of gastronomy, we still have some cool and tasty products that can really only be found in Switzerland.
- Aromat: This is a savory magic powder with a strong umami that makes almost anything taste better. It is completely ingrained in Swiss cuisine.
- Zweifel potato chips: Specifically the paprika flavor, but all the Zweifel chips are delicious.
- Caotina: This is the go-to hot chocolate powder in Switzerland. It’s like Swiss Miss but actually from Switzerland and uses real chocolate.
- Kambly biscuits: These are pretty popular in Europe, but most people might not know that it’s a Swiss brand. The Bretzeli and butter biscuits are the most popular.
- Migros Ice Tea: The beloved Swiss ice tea that tastes 100x better than Lipton ice tea.
- Ramseier Apple Spritzer: This is my personal addiction. There’s nothing quite as good as a fizzy apple juice on a hot summer day. It’s hands down my favorite Swiss beverage, and I always have some at home.
- Dar-Vida: These are crispy whole-grain crackers that deserve an honorable mention because my mother-in-law was absolutely obsessed with them and brought back a dozen different flavored varieties (no joke).
- Local Swiss Wine: Swiss wine is rarely exported, so bringing a bottle would definitely be special and unique for wine lovers. If you’re visiting Lavaux or any of the vineyards in Geneva, pick up a bottle of Chasselas or Sauvignon Blanc (stick to the whites) as a gift.
2. Home & Kitchen Gifts
For the friends who get genuinely excited about a cool new gadget or a beautiful piece of homeware, this section is for them. Swiss products are famously well-made, so these gifts are not only high-quality but also designed to last.
- Rex Rena Vegetable Peeler (~CHF 10): This classic tool is a staple in Swiss kitchens thanks to its comfortable design, Swiss-made quality, and friendly price point. It’s a razor-sharp peeler that stays effective longer than most others. Side note: The famous Rex Peeler was acquired by Victorinox in 2021, so the original classic is now sold under the Victorinox brand.
- Victorinox Swiss Army Knives (CHF 23+): These need no introduction—the name says it all. Iconic, recognizable, and actually useful to have. I’d recommend The Companion for a “standard”, for a standard, everyday companion. If you have an outdoorsy friend, The Huntsman would probably be a better option. If you want all the bells and whistles, the ultimate toolbox in your pocket model, go for the Swiss Champ. To go the extra mile, you can personalize the gift with an engraving. The flagsize Victorinox shop in Geneva has a build your own swiss knife workshop (appointments are needed in advance).
- Alpinte Carafe and Glasses (~CHF26+): Perfect for those looking for a bougier gift. Their glassware features a modern, minimalist design that pays homage to the Swiss Alps. It’s a uniquely Swiss gift and the company offers premium gift packing as well. I’m personally a fan of the Matterhorn carafe and their on the rocks gift set. CHF26+
- Kuhn Rikon Kitchenware (~CHF45+): A famous Swiss kitchenware brand that is highly regarded domestically and internationally. While a lot of kitchenware is super heavy and not travel-friendly, I would personally love to receive the color set knives as a gift 😍!
⚠️ Friendly reminder to leave all the knives in your check-in luggages and NOT in your carry-on bags!
3. Beauty & Body Gifts
Swiss skincare is world-famous, but not everyone can afford paying half a month’s rent on La Prairie. Instead, here are some well known Swiss beauty brands that won’t break the bank.
- Soeder Soap & Body Lotions (~CHF 27+): This is one of my favorite Swiss soap and body care brands. They are like the Swiss equivalent of Aesop, with the focus on natural ingredients and minimalist packaging. I personally love their orange grove soap , and they also have cute gift sets. A lot of the major retailers on the French-speaking side of Switzerland have started carrying their products—I have seen them at Manor and Globus!
- Weleda Skincare (~CHF 10+): Many people think Weleda is German but it is actually Swiss! Although their products can be found internationally, you can easily pick up some Weleda products at your nearest pharmacy. Their star product being the Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream, which is incredibly moisturizing.
- Rausch Shampoos and Conditioners (~CHF 15+): If you’re living in Geneva, likely you’ve seen Rausch in the supermarkets and pharmacies – they dominate the shampoo aisle! The company was the first to market a liquid hair washing soap. I have never seen Rausch outside of Switzerland and herbal shampoo smells are definitely unique (like, take a sniff first). They have a ton of hair-related products but their caffeine ginseng shampoo is cult favorite.
- Daylong Sunblock (~CHF 20+): Daylong trusted Swiss sunscreen brand with a long history of dermatological expertise – they were founded by a pharmaceutical company. Their Daylong Kids Lotion is highly recommended, as it’s developed for highly sensitive children’s skin and hypersensitive skin types.
- Biokosma Hand Cream (CHF 15+): Biokosma is a natural beauty skincare brand that features high-quality, plant-based ingredients, with a preference for organic Swiss plants. Sold abroad but you can find their amazing hand creams in your nearest pharmacies.
- Lubex Anti-aging line (~CHF 40+): If you’re looking for anti-aging skincare for your mom but still not willing to pull the plug for La Prairie, you can consider Lubex. They are highly specialized in anti-aging and dermatological treatments. Their most popular product is the Lubex Anti-age day classic SPF30 and has good reviews on line. They are truly niche, as not every pharmacy has their full product line – it’s worth calling/checking in advance.
4. Other Unique Gifts
For the truly unique people in your life, here’s our collection of Swiss gifts that are a little less generic and a lot more awesome.
- Caran d’Ache Art Supplies: This is another internationally renowned Geneva brand famous for their high quality art supplies. Their boutique in Rive is a wonderful place to browse and pick up a gift, as they have a range of price points. You can go fancy and get engraved pens or a kid-friendly coloring book.
- Sigg Water Bottles (CHF 20+): Another classic Swiss product featuring a timeless aluminum bottle design and a reputation for being exceptionally well-made and durable. They have a ton of different designs and sizes available.
- Geneva Cookbook (~CHF 25): A beautiful modern recipe book that showcases many classic Geneva dishes.
- Swatch/FlikFlak (~CHF 45+): While SWATCH is sold everywhere around the world, it’s a massive Swiss brand and definitely worth a mention. Swatch frequently releases limited-edition models that are exclusive to Switzerland, and their FlikFlak line is honestly the perfect kids gift (CHF 45+). They are also much more affordable and easy to acquire than other watch brands.
- Brändi Dog (~CHF 80): Brändi Dog is the perfect gift for board game lovers. It’s a classic Swiss game that’s kind of like Ludo or Sorry! but using cards instead of dice. It is insanely fun, addicting and can get super competitive (speaking from personal experience). The board game and pieces itself are beautiful and high-quality, which is definitely…reflected in the price.
- Mondaine Wall Clock (~CHF219+): I mean, I’m personally hoping someone will gift me one of these one day. They’re not cheap but who doesn’t want to own an iconic piece of Swiss history? The clocks, which you see in all Swiss train stations, feature a minimalistic and timeless design. SBB has sales on the clocks from time to time (ha!), so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
- Geneva Neighborhood Postcards from Celeste Hay (CHF 5): Need a unique Geneva keepsake or a souvenir for a friend? Look no further than this neighborhood postcard series by local artist Celeste Hay! These beautifully designed, hyperlocal postcards rep every corner of Geneva: Paquîs, Champel, Eaux-Vives, even Petit-Saconnex and Nations. Find them on her online shop (plus other amazing products) or at La Boutique Saint-Pierre, where you can buy and send the postcards on the spot!
- The Geneva Chronicles (CHF 24.90): The Geneva Chronicles is a perfect gift for kids. With clever illustrations and little history bites that don’t feel like an info-dump, this book is the perfect historical primer for Geneva’s youngest residents. You can buy the book online or at Pages & Sips in Old Town.
- Around Switzerland Card Game (CHF 16.90): This is a fun card game I saw while browsing the game shop the other day. This fun and engaging card game lets you test your Swiss knowledge. It’s perfect for trivia night bragging rights and finally settling who is the ultimate Swiss expert in your life. The game is in French, Italian, German, and English! You can find this card game at L’Astuce Jeux in Carouge.
4. Where to buy cool gifts in Geneva
Outside of the standard magnets and cowbell selling gift shops around town, here are a few cool shops to check out for Swiss gifts:
- BLK & YLW Concept Shop | Rue Verdaine 15 – An amazingly curated boutique gift shop that features art prints, jewellery, ceramics, and more by local artists in Geneva. I personally think this collection of Geneva prints are amazing.
*We’re sad to report that BLK & YLW is closing shop on 31 December 2025 😭 Be sure to pay them a visit before end of the year, as they will have clearance sales from now until then. - La Boutique Saint-Pierre | Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 3 – A local souvenir shop that features Swiss-themed gifts and local foods.
- Bonus: Swiss Made Direct is an ecommerce site that sells all Swiss-made products. They target international shoppers but also ship within Switzerland. If you’re looking for more Swiss made products, this would be a starting point to browse and shop. Their selling price is sometimes slightly higher than buying directly with the brand, which is something to keep in mind.
At the end of the day, the best gifts from Switzerland are the ones that are truly authentic and useful, not just a cliché. So go forth and find a gift with a story that your friends and family will actually love!
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