There is a rule in my family: when you travel to Germany, you must take along a list of what to bring back for yourself and everyone else. Each of us has special items that we can’t live without. My mother loves her instant Schweizer Kräutertee (so we always pack along 3 extra cans), and my daughter loves getting the…
Category: German Products I Love
Products that remind me of “home”
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 handheld 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 handheld showers in Germany …. As for the toilets? Well, they are…
The Simple Pleasure of a Strickliesel , the German Spool Knitter
Years ago, German girls were introduced to the all-important (and not always loved) concept of Handarbeit with a Strickliesel. (Handarbeit literally means handwork or handicraft, but in this instance, it means needlework/sewing or embroidery). What is a Strickliesel? These sweetly painted spool looms taught the basics of knitting by turning a simple piece of yarn into a knitted cord. Luckily, these…
Make Salt Dough Crafts- Create Your own Ornaments with Saltzteig
Since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, Salt Dough or Salzteig, has been used for decorations, and many other cultures have used this simple technique. In Germany you will see Salzteig creations everywhere, made by both children and adults. From the very simple cookie cutter cut out ornaments, to elaborate wreaths made with layers of leaves and fruits. These art…
Eierbecher German Egg Cups for a Soft Boiled Egg
We always had German Egg Cups in the house, I still do, because I love a Soft-Boiled Egg. I tried to order one in a restaurant once, but my mom stopped me, and told me her story about Eggs. When she first arrived in America, she and my father had breakfast in a restaurant. Mom ordered a soft boiled egg.…
Erzgebirge Flower Children-A Sweet Memory of Blumenkinder
The Flower Children are a messenger that Spring is upon us! Bright colored outfits, little rabbits , sweet smiles, and of course, those giant Flowers. The Erzgebirge Flower children were traditional gifts for birthdays and Christenings. Gisela sent me an email with a memory. Does anyone else collect Angels and Erzgebirge Flower Children? My mom has a set of the…