Since 2016, I have been publishing my annual Swiss Holiday Gift Guide. My gift recommendations below are intended for people in Switzerland who love food and cooking. I hope these suggestions help you discover some uniquely Swiss holiday gift ideas, all of which can be purchased online for delivery or pick-up in Switzerland. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. AperiBIO, Sambì + Barbaro

For your next apéro, why not offer a taste of Ticino? This gift box contains one bottle of Sambì (75 cl) and one bottle of Barbaro Aperitif 70cl. Sambì is a semi-dry sparkling alcoholic beverage made from elderflowers. Also made in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton, Barbaro is a bitter aperitif. Both beverages are certified as organic. By adding some ice, mint leaves and a splash of lime juice, you have everything for a refreshing Swiss Italian cocktail.

Where to buy: Sambì
Price: CHF 39.00

2. Baabuk Red Placemats

You may already be familiar with Baabuk‘s amazing wool slippers and shoes, but did you know they also make kitchen accessories? I recommend their 100% felted wool placements, available in six different colors. Designed in Switzerland and made in Nepal, these durable and attractive placemats will brighten up your tabletop.

Where to buy: Baabuk
Price: CHF 29.00

3. Zyliss Susi 3 Garlic press

Zyliss sent me their Susi 3 garlic press as a gift, and little did I know that this kitchen invention was actually invented in Switzerland? Karl Zysset, founder of Zyliss, created the garlic press in Switzerland in 1948. The limited edition set comes with a special stamp designed by graphic artist Jürg Glauser from a series focused on Swiss inventions.

Where to buy: Zyliss
Price: CHF 24.90

4. SEOSA Cutting Board

Based in Basel, Fabian Sens is the craftsman behind the amazing Seosa Wood Craft cutting boards. Seosa stands for an abbreviation of “sense of satisfaction.” His eye-catching cutting boards have intricate designs created by a colorful mosaic of different types of wood, such as walnut, oak and cherry.

Where to buy: Seosa.ch
Price: From CHF 250.00-790.00

5. Swiss Drinks and Suppers Cookbooks

For someone who loves Swiss food and drinks, why not give them this pair of cookbooks? Alpine Elixirs, which contains recipes for “quirky cocktails, cozy coffees, mouthwatering milkshakes and more” comes from my friend and bestselling author, Andie Pilot. Combine it with my new cookbook, Swiss Suppers, which has 52 recipes for the evening meal, and you have everything you need for cooking and hosting at home this winter.

Where to buy: Helvetiq.com, and for shipping to the United States, Bergli.com (affiliate links)
Price: Alpine Elixirs, CHF 29.90; Swiss Suppers, CHF 39.90 (both books are available in English, French and German.

6. Schweizer Znacht Wine Set

I could not resist including this trio of wines from Edvin, a wine shop based in Aarau. With name that nearly matches the German title of my Swiss Suppers book (Schwizer Znacht), this box set contains (1) a sparkling wine (Mousseux) from Aarau, (2) a Chasselas from Vaud and (3) a Pinot Noir from Graubünden. Why not combine this wine set with the cookbooks listed above?

Where to buy: Edvinweine.ch
Price: Was CHF 68.80; now on sale for CHF 61.90.

7. Newby Teas – Alpine Crown Tea Selection

I discovered Newby Teas in 2023, when I served as a jury member for an iced tea competition at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. Founded in London, this luxury tea purveyor has an international office in Switzerland and opened its first tea boutique in Gstaad. Its “Alpine Crown” tea selection contains 36 biodegradable sachets of green, black and herbals teas. Each sachet can make up to four cups of tea.

Where to buy: Newby Teas
Price: CHF 56.00

8. Afternoon Tea and Signature Bûche “Alps”

In the Imperial Suite of the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, this historic 5-star hotel presented a sampling of its culinary offering for the 2024 holiday season. The highlight for me was a slice of the Signature Bûche de Noël (Yule Log). This delicious cake contains two types of vanilla, with crunchy textures of amaranth and puffed rice. It also happens to be gluten-free. It is available from December 16 to 28, 2024, and for tasting during the Christmas Market on November 23. Check out the full series of events in the complete Éclat program, including festive brunches and afternoon teas.

Where to buy: Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne
Price: Bûche de Noël, CHF 95.00 (order in advance and pick-up at the hotel). Price varies for other culinary events.

9. Organic Swiss Saffron

The Swiss company, Gebana, specializes in connecting farmers and other producers directly with consumers. Since 1998, Gebana has been operating as a fair trade company, paying equitable wages to it partners. Consumers generally buy limited-time products in bulk, such as cheese, nuts, fruits, rice and more from Swiss and international farmers. One such product is Swiss saffron from an organic farm in Fläsch (GR). You can use it to make Swiss specialties, such as Cuchaule (saffron bread) and Risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto).

Where to buy: Gebana
Price: 1 gram for CHF 63.00. Please note: You must order by December 8, 2024 for a December delivery.

10. Salad Bowl with Black Dots

I have been eyeing these beautiful ceramic bowls in a little shop in Neuchâtel. Designed by food stylist and cookbook author Joel Adank in Zurich, they are handmade in Portugal. My favorites are the white bowls splattered with black paint. They range in size and price, but I particularly like the big salad bowl, which the website says also works well for dough.

Where to buy: Atelier Agave
Price: CHF 89.90

Photo credits: Each of the photos shared in this article come from the individual website for these products, except for the Zyliss garlic press.

For more Swiss holiday gift suggestions, check out my holiday gift guides from previous years.