Christmas Gift Ideas – 2016

The same procedure as every year, here goes my Munich-specific Christmas gift guide for 2016:

EATING & DRINKING

Taste Twelve 2017
This gem costs 36 € and gives you two for one main courses at twelve hand-picked Munich restaurants. The makers update the book each year, and new for 2016 are Kismet (where it’s worth heading up to the bar for a Moroccan Mule afterwards), Asian fusion restaurant Mun, which I’m keen to try and Herrmannsdorfer in Glonn, which is a day out in itself.

Man versus Machine coffee
Not content with selling Munich’s best coffee and Franzbrötchen, Man versus Machine now sell merchandise. Buy some coffee online and slip a lovely enamel mug into your shopping cart too.

babo blue
I’m really not sure about this. It’s a blue beer, which makes me feel queasy. The makers presented their idea on Dragon’s Den, and Jochen Schweizer and Lencke Steiner both decided to invest. The founders have been interviewed by Gala and have been written about by the Süddeutsche – they’re causing quite a fuss. So if you think you know someone who’d appreciate a little gimmick (or if you’re after an unusual Secret Santa gift), buy them a couple of bottles of babo blue.

KIDS & YOUTHS

Fanteria
Perfect for new families, you can buy these gorgeous crockery sets for kids online, or pop into KaufhausKollektiv just off Sendlinger Straße to buy in person.

Schön, oder?
Goodness, these organic, high-end interior products for kids are exquisite, and made in Munich. They have a small, but very beautiful selection and I love these bedclothes.

Lieblinge
Pricy but oh so cute, these baby shoes are made from organic leather, sustainably. They’re a Berlin company but you can buy online.

MUSIC & DANCING

Falco – Das Musical
Don’t judge me – I think I’d have a riot at a Falco musical. It’s touring through 2017, but will be in Munich at the Circus Krone in May, giving you enough time to learn all necessary lyrics.

UB40
Formed in 1978 in Birmingham, UB40 have a special place in my heart thanks to Kingston Town. They’re playing a greatest hits tour, and you can catch them in the Muffathalle at the end of January. Tickets cost around 45 € in advance.

The Dead South
May is far away, but it’s a good idea to snap tickets up for The Dead South fast. They’re playing in the Ampere, and tickets cost 24 € in advance.

Jose Gonzalez
I saw Jose Gonzalez in the Herkulessaal at the Residenz Palace in 2011, and he took my breath away. He’s playing on January 30 in the Muffathalle.

CLOTHES & HAIR

nat-2
For an unusual, one-of-a-kind gift, look no further than nat-2 sneakers. Some are made largely of wood (!), some have LED lights in and some glow in the dark. All are something special. Buy online here, or head to Coilex in Maxvorstadt to try them on (Monday-Friday, 2pm-7pm).

Zefix
Munich’s label Zefix has some lovely hats for winter, and they’re hats for kids are just as sweet.

SISFORLIFE
Simple, high-quality, organic clothing that grew out of a yoga and sport collection. They’re based in Munich.

Beyer’s Oil
The best gift for your bearded Bavarian. I interviewed founder Bastian Beyer earlier this year – read more here.

REST & RELAXATION

monte mare at Tegernsee
I bang on about this a lot, but hell, there is no better place to unwind than at the monte mare spa at Tegernsee. I’d be thrilled with just a day pass, but the spa has a list of Christmas gift ideas on their website here.

Emotion Spa
You can quite often get good deals for the Emotion Spa at Le Meridien in Munich on Groupon. A day ticket then costs 15 €, which is very reasonable indeed. I’ve been a couple of times and it’s small but has everything you need – and the pool is great for a proper swim (which isn’t always the case in spas).

AT HOME & IN BED

Anita Riesch porcelain
Originally from Munich, Anita Riesch makes the most beautiful coffee cups, pie dishes and vases. I’m particularly taken with these salmon-coloured coffee cups.

Das Beste in München
The cover of this book doesn’t look very appealing, but it’s been created by the makers of Prinz magazine, and celebrates young creative talents in Munich.

Woodmuc
Pricy, but a great idea to keep idle hands busy over Christmas – Woodmuc make Munich jigsaw puzzles that you can frame afterwards. The frame’s included too.

Merry Christmas!