A few weeks ago, I gave you some gift ideas for the Münchner in your life. And while plenty of us have presents for those in Munich to organize, I bet there’s a high chance you’ll be queuing up at the post offices some day soon sending parcels abroad in time for Christmas.
And what to get people? Last Saturday, I spent a horrific afternoon in the city centre, with the aim of buying some nice Christmas cards and having a look for inspiration. I picked up some Christmas cards from Hugendubel (they have some gorgeous painted Munich cards, some religious cards and some colourful modern cards – and prices tend to be under 3 € a card – after spending ages wandering around Haidhausen and finding nothing but expensive, boring cards, Hugendubel felt like a dream). Then, I carried on wandering around. Bad move. DO NOT GO SHOPPING ON A SATURDAY IN MUNICH, PARTICULARLY IN DECEMBER.
But if you don’t want to shop online, or if you need that gift with a decidedly Bavarian touch, here’s my guide as to where to go:
Hugendubel
Mentioned above, wonderful for Christmas cards, English-language books (if you’re after a recommendation, I’m still head over heels in love with The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes) and calendars. I’ll be sending a couple of Bavaria calendars back home this Christmas. At their Marienplatz branch, Bavaria/Munich calendars can be found on the ground floor, toward the back.
Perfect for those typically German gifts. Buy high-quality schnapps, truffles, marmalade and jams and cute little krugs. Dallmayr coffee’s always good to throw into a homemade hamper.
This store does loads of things. It’s just past Dallmayr on Dienerstr.. Perfect for someone who likes high-quality, non-high street stuff for the home. They also do nostalgic, retro toys.
Ludwig Beck
Wandering around Ludwig Beck is a good source of inspiration for gift sets. Their ground floor has an extensive spa section. Pick up a Diptyque candle, a Molton Brown gift set and some L’Occitane hand cream. Mmm.
Obletter
Your best bet for the little ones is Obletter at Stachus. A huge toy store, with all imaginable toys, for all ages.
I was given a pair of leather Roeckl gloves last year and they’re the cosiest, most elegant gloves I’ve ever worn. If you know the hand size of the receiver in question, it’s a luxurious, long-lasting present.
For the sports lover. I’ve bought a lot of hiking stuff from Schuster and unfortunately it’s always a bit hit and miss as to whether you’ll actually speak to a salesperson who can advise you properly, but if you know exactly what you want, Schuster has everything to do with sport.
If you’re after stocking fillers, you’ll find all you need in Kaufhof. Fill your basket with Dr. Haushka goodies (I’ve picked up this gorgeous set), organic hot chocolate, O.P.I nail polish (they’ve brought out a Skyfall range, for the new James Bond movie, and the colours are beautifully rich hues – wonderfully elegant) and Falke socks.
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