People sometimes ask, “What makes Germany special?” or “What do I love so much about Germany?” The obvious answer is family. But it’s more than that. It’s those little things that people in Germany take for granted that we just don’t have here in the US. Some of what I miss is intangible and difficult to describe. Smells are important…like…
Category: German Products I Love
Products that remind me of “home”
What is Playmobil? 50 Years of German Toys for the Imagination
In 2017 a little Playmobil Martin Luther, complete with quill and German Bible became the fastest selling Playmobil toy in the history of Brandstätter Toys. 34,000 of these “little Luthers” sold in under 72 hours! Created to honor the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the sales figures astonished everyone in the company known for its imaginative toy sets, and…
German Fairy Tale Wall Art -Colorful Wandfiguren for Children
See what I found while clearing out the closet? Like many German kids in the 1970s, my room was decorated with colorful wooden Fairy Tail wall art, Wandfigur, that depicted some of my favorite Fairy Tales. Made by companies like Mertens Kunst and Ravi Kunst, these bright and cheery wall hangings have become collectible today. Designs all came from fairy…
German House Windows – The Finest Example of German Engineering
For the finest example of German Engineering, look no further than German House Windows. Truly, what other innovation so closely embodies German love for form, function, and cultural norms than those shiny clean windows? Think about it. German windows are designed to open inward, which means you can clean them without a ladder. This also gives you a great spot…
What to Bring Back from Germany or How I Overfill My Suitcase Every Time
There is a rule in my family; when you travel to Germany, you must take along a list of what to bring back from Germany for yourself, and for everyone else. Each of us has special items that we can’t live without. My mother loves her instant Schweizer Krautertee (so we always pack along 3 extra cans), and my daughter…
What is the Spiel des Jahres? The Prestigious German Board Game Award
Walk down the game aisle, or look around the game store, and you will see a Spiel des Jahres emblem. But, what is the Spiel des Jahres Award? Why is it important? And how is it that a German Game Award became so prestigious worldwide? To me… the emblem means that the game is perfect for my family! What is…
What is Indiaca? A backyard sport fun for the Whole Family!
Several years ago in Germany, we were introduced to a fun game called Indiaca. The corner of Germany where my family lives, Indiaca is kind of a big deal… the local team made it to the World Championships! But what is Indiaca? This hybrid of Volleyball and Badminton is played with a giant shuttlecock (sort of a flat ball…
Haflinger House Shoes- German Hausschuhe to Keep Your Feet Warm
For Christmas a few years ago I was delighted to receive a new pair of real Haflinger Hausschuhe (Haflinger House Shoes) from my mother (how do you know you are German? You get excited about a new pair of “good” Hausschuhe at Christmas). I hate cold feet…. And even more than that, I hate cold WET feet, I also hate bringing outside…
What is Pfand? the Ransom Price for Real Glass
Leave it to the Germans to come up with a brilliant system to make using actual glasses at a Bier Stube possible, the Pfand. This “ransom” or “deposit” charged by vendors means that they get their cups, glasses and plates back for washing… and you get to use grown up table-settings. You see, I really don’t like drinking out…
German Bathroom Fixtures… What is the Deal with Those Toilets?
Germany and America are countries separated by both language and bathroom fixtures. The two main issues are hand-held Shower heads, and Toilets. It’s funny I traveled back and forth between the countries for years and never had serious issues with German bathroom fixtures. In fact, I LOVE the hand-held showers in Germany …. As for the toilets? Well, they are…