My grandsons, ages 7 & 9 just asked me to bring them something back from our trip. Something that represents the countries and what the kids like to do in Italy or Switzerland. For cuteness sake, I will tell you what the little one said, "I want clothes and rocks and a big wheel of cheese for Mom." The older one is more into educational stuff and something unique to the kids in those countries.
Posted by
Florida
151 posts
Rocks are good! Depending on where you go in Italy, you could find beach rocks, lava rocks, and maybe a cobblestone. Check out a toy store for unique and high quality items. You could also bring back some Euro coins and Swiss Francs. Once you are there, you won't have any problem in finding something to purchase. The hunt will be half the fun.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
In Switerland you can buy a toy model of the Rigi gondola cable car which is just the right scale for Playmobil people to be carried in. You mount the upper part of it on top of a shelf or closet or hook at the wall, the bottom piece goes down on the floor and your grandsons can let the car go up and down. They already had them when I was a kid and I got it from my grandpartens and loved it like no other toy. Back then they were made from tin, today they're made from plastic but still are high quality. For two grandsons buy two of them as in real life those cable cars come in pairs as well.
Posted by
OP
Hagerstown, MD, USA
62 posts
Andreas, Thanks a great idea. One of their fondest memories of our vacation with them last year in Colorado was riding the gondola to the top of Vale Mountain. I think they would a toy gondola. I just hope I can find them. Thanks again.
Linda, Great idea about the coins, too. They will love that.
See, that's what's great about this helpline! We can't think of everything ourselves.
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
483 posts
if the boys like soccer, you can find very inexpensive team jerseys (knockoffs) at many shops in Venice (and other Italian cities, probably)
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
My son, now 14, really likes the glass cubes that have lazer etched 3D pictures of the top sites in the country. They are under $10 each (we have paid between $4 and $8 but would be a little more with the current Euro price). He started buying them when he was your grandsons age and now has a menagerie of them from places around the country and globe he has visited. He hasn't outgrown them (they're still on his bookshelf). They are kind of heavy but don't take up too much space. When you get home you can buy a lighted base for them.
Posted by
Taylor, TX, USA
416 posts
Another idea from Switzerland is a used goat bell (smaller than a cowbell). I say used because I think that is more interesting than one of the ones made up especially for the tourist trade.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
Even better than jerseys are the soccer team scarves, which are 5 to 10 euros each and are small enough that they don't take up much packing space. I have a small collection from my trip to Italy this summer and they are quite cool to look at.
Posted by
Poulsbo, WA, USA
6 posts
Whilst in Canton Helvetia, you might consider getting them traditional Appenzeller belts, the ones with metal cows and farmers, etc. (rather like a belt with conchos a la wild west).
Othewise, chocolate. Make that CHOCOLATE!
'Better bring your gkids the belts, and YOU eat the chocolate.
FWIW, during my last time in Switzerland, every kid had a hat, a T-shirt or a sweatshirt with an American team logo - American Football, Baseball, Basketball, etc.
I'd promised an 11-year-old girl that I'd send her an Anaheim Mighty Ducks sweatshirt. I did, and her mother sent me a note that she never takes it off.
With the note was chocolate...yes!
Happy Trails.
bill